Frank H. in L.A. back here,
a) Thanks for the expertise, observations and honesty,
b) Keep them coming, for those who might just now have opened this thread or who have additional thoughts to share.
As this was my VERY first Luger purchase, (actually literally the first I've had in my hand even), my first reaction was "shock" at the great condition of the gun, followed by "could it be a re-blue"; the very initial look-over seemed like the right "kind" of bluing and the usual dopey-rounded edges of a poor job weren't evident...
I've been busy with work so haven't had it in my hands much, then the wise comments on that "should you shoot it" thread got me to looking CLOSE at the gun.
Taking the grips off, I went "uh oh, I don't think the pitting here should be blued over... I don't think that's just porosity of the forging process..."
The grips are DEAD mint, if they are touched-up checkering somebody did a great job.
My guess is this gun must have been in pretty good shape to begin with, but had pitting issues at the grip straps, as looking close I can see a tiny dot of a blued over pit still present on both the front and back strap, some slight "waveryness", slight, and the other sections of the gun don't look like they needed much attention.
I paid $2,050 for this... I actually gave the guy $100 more than he was asking if he would hold it for me, while I got my money together for 2 weeks. I'm tempted to get back in touch with him re: his "not full disclosure" description, and at least ask for the $100 back...
I know there's the aspect of "a re-work, re-blue drops collectible value to half", then again as expressed by others here, a basically sound gun that needs cosmetic help is enhanced by a reblue...
Value of the gun to me? ...well, in a way I'm ok on it not being a full "original", as I would consider shooting this one now, and wouldn't be so worried every time I touched it.
But, a bit of a let-down, re: "lookie what I found!"
It's a beautiful gun. It will be easy to maintain it in this condition, as it won't be rained on in trenches and in addition to the Breakfree and Remoil and Clenzoil I now have Eezox and Renaissance Wax en-route to me, LOL.
I can take it doc, what are everyone's thoughts as to value, and what I paid for it? I'm at least glad the bore is nice, and mechanically it seems "great".
Frank H.
Here's the bottom of the mag: (I thumbnailed it, click for full size)
<a href="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/bottommag.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/bottommag.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a>