tom heller

Kyrie, DoK, el al: I see nothing wrong with "upgrading" a PO8 with an absolutely correct (right Manufacturer, right die set, right finish, ORIGINAL NUMBERED or unnumbered armour's spare part) to avoid a mismatch or worn part, but you better know what you are doing, since an incorrect part (Imperial, Simson or KH proofed or wrong dies set --- at least 8 different ones used --- or wrong finish (rust blued, Salt blued, strawed or fire blued) is worst than leaving pistol as-is, and you'll probably screw it up, if some fitting is required. I have never renumbered a part in my life, probably because I don't have the correct die sets and even if I did, I don't have the jigs to stamp them correctly. I do know restorer who have the capability to do this correctly, but these guys who are good (some of my best parts customers) generally won't do any small jobs short of a complete restoration and refinish with prices starting at $750. So it better be a Navy, Carbine or other valuable luger to make it worthwile, and believe me there are a lot of them out there.