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Ron Smith · 07-04-2012, 03:00 PM

Hi Bill,

Welcome to the forum. Ted is a longtime member here, and one of the top at Luger restoration. Do a search for "Thor".

If your 1917 has the original finish, and is in good condition? Refinishing it will definitely effect the value for the negative, and depending on the original condition, possibly by hundreds of dollars, and in some rare instances by a thousand $$ or more. Collectors look for everything "original".

As far as being safe to shoot? It's a toss-up. If you take it to a qualified and reliable gunsmith, be sure they are Luger knowledgable first. Many general gunsmiths know very little about Lugers.

Even then, shooting a 90+ year old gun is always a gamble. Breaking an original matching numbered part will also greatly effect the value.

Post some photos, if possible.

07-04-2012, 03:00 PM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Bill, Welcome to the forum. Ted is a longtime member here, and one of the top at Luger restoration. Do a search for "Thor". If your 1917 has the original finish, and is in good condition? Refinishing it will definitely effect the value for the negative, and depending on the original condition, possibly by hundreds of dollars, and in some rare instances by a thousand $$ or more. Collectors look for everything "original". As far as being safe to shoot? It's a toss-up. If you take it to a qualified and reliable gunsmith, be sure they are Luger knowledgable first. Many general gunsmiths know very little about Lugers. Even then, shooting a 90+ year old gun is always a gamble. Breaking an original matching numbered part will also greatly effect the value. Post some photos, if possible. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...