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mrerick · 11-07-2011, 10:06 PM

Hi Tom, and welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on your very nice Luger.

You would do best to do as little as possible to clean it. Your pistol is original, and likely all matching (have you checked the internal parts?). If the magazine is also matching this is more rare...

The patina is part of the history of your pistol. Luger collectors like Lugers as close to original manufactured state as possible. Refinishing, cleaning off the patina, etc... devalues your Luger both financially and historically.

Be careful what you use to clean it. Go slow and gently. Remove dirt, not finish from the blued surface and grips. A soft toothbrush works well on the grips. I have used an oil based soap to clean dirt from the grips. Be careful when removing them. Don't gall the screw slot, and don't break the left grip near the safety lever. A very slight tilt off the frame is enough to slide it out.

The loss of bluing in spots like those on your barrel often happened when the surface came in contact with a chemical that reduces oxidation. The hemoglobin in blood does this. The depth of color on original bluing from this period varies quite a bit. My 1939 is quite thin looking.

So... best thoughts here are that the less you do to it, the better off you will be.

Cheers,

Marc

11-07-2011, 10:06 PM	#10
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,139 Times in 1,520 Posts	Hi Tom, and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your very nice Luger. You would do best to do as little as possible to clean it. Your pistol is original, and likely all matching (have you checked the internal parts?). If the magazine is also matching this is more rare... The patina is part of the history of your pistol. Luger collectors like Lugers as close to original manufactured state as possible. Refinishing, cleaning off the patina, etc... devalues your Luger both financially and historically. Be careful what you use to clean it. Go slow and gently. Remove dirt, not finish from the blued surface and grips. A soft toothbrush works well on the grips. I have used an oil based soap to clean dirt from the grips. Be careful when removing them. Don't gall the screw slot, and don't break the left grip near the safety lever. A very slight tilt off the frame is enough to slide it out. The loss of bluing in spots like those on your barrel often happened when the surface came in contact with a chemical that reduces oxidation. The hemoglobin in blood does this. The depth of color on original bluing from this period varies quite a bit. My 1939 is quite thin looking. So... best thoughts here are that the less you do to it, the better off you will be. Cheers, Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.