[John Sabato]

IF this gun has not been refinished (and it does not appear that it has been) and is truely all matching except the magazine, it certainly looks like you wouldn't be taken if you paid $1000 for it. It appears in real nice shape. If you can get it for less GO FOR IT.

The soft-shell holster was probably intended for a P38, and it should be so marked on the back, but that doesn't mean that this Luger wasn't carried in it during the war. Does the holster have a magazine pocket attached? IF so, does the pocket have two little half moons cut to accomodate the knobs of the magazine? If it doesn't, then it IS a P38 holster.

Be cautious of touch up blueing though... There isn't much blue wear showing on the sides of the muzzle and the high point of the sideplate... typical high wear points from riding in a holster.

You can tell if it has been touched up with cold blue because it will have a distictive odor if you rub suspected touched up areas... If you want to know what the odor smells like, buy a bottle of cold blue (inexpensive and good for touching up non-collector firearms) and use it on some scrap steel. The copper sulphate odor is unmistakeable...