[wterrell]

Why must a person have the 'old' metal upon which to reblue?
Why have the 'old' trigger on which to pull?

There is something here! Is it wishing that we could have an old Luger in much better shape than we have (without the investment) and hoping that the casual admirer will not be cognizant of a restoration or rude enough to mention it? Is a restoration job procured and performed to fool the unwashed masses who do not own Lugers?

And something to consider: Does the owner of an old honest gun decide that the original finish has no value? Does he want the admiring public to assume that the pistol had never been touched?