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Unread 03-14-2011, 07:39 AM   #20
George Anderson
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The fact that it has a 1920 property mark indicates that it was a Weimar era reissue. The S42 marked barrel was added during the Nazi era. The nickle finish is fairly common and most were probably thus enhanced by G.I.s returning from service overseas in the 1940's. Given these points it was quite likely assembled from parts in Germany after WWI and kept in service by the Germans through WWII. The nickle finish is part of its history and I would leave it alone.

Only if the pistol were an extremely rare one such as a 1910 dated Erfurt would I bother with restoration. In the case of the 1915 dated pistol above all restoration will do is add to your investment cost but do nothing to enhance collector value.
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