There are also serial numbers on the adjustible part of the rear sight on the right hand side. This is called the tang of the sight. Serial numbers are also on the rear of the rear sight. These numbers will be very small. If your grips are original, there will also be two digit serial numbers on the underside of them.
Your artillery ain't pretty, but it may not be in all that bad a shape. The red in your pictures may not be rust. It may be grease. I didn't see any pitting. A good rubbing with some felt such as window insulation and lots of oil could clean up a lot of any freakling rust. I didn't see the front and rear straps of the grips to see if there was any pitting there. Thats not uncommon. Probably caused by salt from the hands during usage.
Lots of unusual wear on the one grip. But if its numbered to the gun, then do not discard. A recheckering may only make matters worse. The condition of the grips will look out of place on a worn gun. Do not get any oil on the wood grips. Be careful taking the grips off. There is a little spur on the left side up by the safety that can easily break off if you get too rough. It is unrepairable if you break it. Its best to take the right grip off first and then push the left grip off from the inside near the bottom. Be careful and go slow.
There is not much you can do with the scratches on the metal. How is the bore?
Sometimes pictures show too much and can make a gun look uglier than it really is. Of course, from viewing guns on the internet, the opposite is also true. I've gotten some real dogs that looked great in pictures.
I don't know your experience with Lugers. But I think that a good disassembling of your Luger, a good cleaning and a nice fresh coat of oil might make you feel better about your prize. Do it on something where you will be able to find all the parts again (like a white bed sheet. Some of the parts are quite small and can be lost. On the ejector, wear some glasses. It can sometimes shoot out and hit you in the face while your trying to take it out. Don't rush your little project because you will have to remember how to put it back together again.
Don't take out that big spring in the handle until you get to feel comfortable disassembling your Luger. For new people, it can be tricky. Have fun and good luck!
Big Norm
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