Hi Joe,
I may or may not be the dealer who mailed you a catalog referred to in you post, 2nd paragraph.
There were several Lugers in the sale that were described with 'problems' that did not exist.
The cataloger tried and did a lot of good research on ID and Markings but missed a few minor fine points like discerning between original and non-original finish and using the term 'remanufactured'.
It is always a good idea to inspect any gun in person sold at auction.
All auction companies (under terms and conditions of sale), only Guarantee 3 things, make, model and serial. everything else is up for grabs. Even Lawful Title in some of the Fine Print!
Sometimes you get good deals! Other times not.
I view collector guns in these ways;
1) Original: Not 'enhanced' or 'touched up' or 'most original finish' Gun are either Original or not.
2) Restored: Lovingly brought back to original factory manufactured specifications, including finish and original markings. Skills Vary from acceptable to Scary on the quality of Restoration.
3) Custom: For a finish in the 'White' (Martz), Hard Chrome, teflon or Gold/Silver Plated Finish.
4) Re-Blued. Just a quick fix like a $99.00 car paint job.
5) Fake or 'Fantasy': initially Created to Get the $$!
As a Dealer for over 25 years I get all the above in with collections and sell them for what they are.
Anything that is not Original is sold for its true value.
The 'G' and 'K' dated Navies I bought are Rare, and they are Restored.
A Krieghoff I bought that was described as ' not original', was. It did have the wrong grips but I had a set of the right ones.
The term 'Re-Manufactured' to me means taking it down to a square block of steel and 'Remanufacturing' it into something.
As a side note, I hate to see markings on any guns filled with paint.
It can lift the blue at a later date when trying to remove the paint, and makes original markings look 'bad'. Plus it looks like crap.
Most cold blue touchup can be easily removed with acetone. Be careful it is very flammable! Any guns I get in that are 'suspect' get wiped down. It will not harm original metal finishes, but be ready if you decide to go over your collection as the end result may not be what you want to see. Cold blue has been around as long as blue has and was designed to protect the bare metal from rust, not to fool or jack up prices on guns.
I am my own Best Customer and try to treat buyers as I want to be treated! Don't be discouraged!
Best!
Randy Bessler
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