Ouestion from new guy

plowboy · 01-31-2003, 06:43 PM

Hi People, First of all, I don't know much about Lugers. I have what I think is a 1906 American Eagle. The serial # is 495XX, all numbers seem to match, the bore is very good, but the blueing is not real great. Does this have enough value to think about restoring, or would it be better to just leave it alone? Iv'e had the gun for some 30 years, but never really thought much about it until lately. Any thoughts that you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks.

Frank · 01-31-2003, 06:54 PM

Hi Larry, Welcome to the Luger Forum. Regarding your Eagle, I would just leave it alone.

However, it is your Luger and if the finish is pretty well gone, you might actually increase the value by having it restored. Look down a few sections to "Refinishing" and look for TLSS. One of the Forum Members (Thor) just finished restoring an Eagle and it looks just super!

In either case Good Luck!!

Ron Wood · 01-31-2003, 07:11 PM

That certainly is the correct serial number range for a 1906 American Eagle, so you very likely have identifed it correctly.

To restore or not to restore, that is the question. You say that the blueing is not that great, but how bad is it? A Luger does not have to look "new" to still be in great shape. Are all the markings clear, all the edges crisp and at least 90% blue remaining? If so, it is getting harder and harder to find an original, untouched Luger in that condition, and probably is more valuable unrestored. If it is pretty worn or has a fair amount of pitting, then restoration is a consideration and Thor does a great job.

Is there any chance you could post a couple of clear pictures of both sides? That would help a lot in assessing the condtion of your Luger. I am very fond of these early grip-safety Lugers and enjoy looking at them all.

plowboy · 01-31-2003, 07:31 PM

Thanks fellas for your replies. I guess I really don't know how to judge the blueing percentage wise.There are no pits in the finish at all.The markings on the gun are very clear and crisp. I see a little wear on the bottom of the word Germany. I'm not sure if I can post a pic of the gun as I'm not real computer literate.

Edward Tinker · 02-01-2003, 11:26 AM

Plowboys pictures added above.

Looks in pretty nice shape to me.

EBT

Big Norm · 02-02-2003, 03:57 PM

DON'T RESTORE IT!!!!
Big Norm

John D. · 02-02-2003, 04:08 PM

Hi Plowboy....

After looking at the pics - and please know I am NOT an early Luger collector.... BUT...

I agree with Big Norm - DO NOT restore this one, it looks terrific!!! Just as it is...

I love the early Lugers - they have so many stories to tell, just as they are....

Thanks Ed for posting these - they are great!!!

Russ · 02-02-2003, 05:20 PM

Hi Plowboy
DO NOT RESTORE THIS LUGER. You will ruin the value of a nice old luger. IMHO

Russ

Ron Wood · 02-02-2003, 05:34 PM

Plowboy,
I'm glad you were able to post these pictures with Ed's help. My first reaction was "that's a nice Luger!" You can see from the other responses I am not alone in my opinion. It looks a lot like my first 1906. I have obtained quite a few more Lugers since then, some in near mint condition, but I have to say that I was really fond and proud of that first one. You have a very attractive and original Luger and I, like the others, would encourage you to keep it as it is.
Best wishes and thank you for letting us enjoy your good fortune.
Ron

lugerholsterrepair · 02-02-2003, 06:06 PM

Plowboy, You speak of value in your initial posting. Should you choose to have this pistol"restored" it's value would plummet by at least half. If you have any sense of history and our duty to guard it as custodians for future generations you will leave this pistol in it's present condition. Thanks for asking our humble opinions before doing something rash...Jerry Burney

plowboy · 02-02-2003, 07:33 PM

Thanks fella's for all the input. I will not have anything done to it period. I quess I have one other question, and that would be after seeing the pictures, what percentage would it be judged to be? Again thanks for the input and thanks to Ed for posting the pictures.

John Sabato · 02-03-2003, 03:29 AM

I would call it 'original blue' aged nicely!

Thor · 02-05-2003, 11:40 AM

Larry, please check your private messages.

Steve Richards · 02-05-2003, 03:29 PM

I know this gets old for all of us but be carefull of the left grip! The top rear corner can be broken very easily when you try to remove the grip.

Congratulations on such a nice gun. My 1906 is not nearly as nice and will get restored sometime in the future. But since it has very little blue left and is pitted, it needs restoration. Yours looks great as-is.

01-31-2003, 06:43 PM	#1
plowboy New User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ouestion from new guy Hi People, First of all, I don't know much about Lugers. I have what I think is a 1906 American Eagle. The serial # is 495XX, all numbers seem to match, the bore is very good, but the blueing is not real great. Does this have enough value to think about restoring, or would it be better to just leave it alone? Iv'e had the gun for some 30 years, but never really thought much about it until lately. Any thoughts that you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks.

01-31-2003, 07:11 PM	#3
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	That certainly is the correct serial number range for a 1906 American Eagle, so you very likely have identifed it correctly. To restore or not to restore, that is the question. You say that the blueing is not that great, but how bad is it? A Luger does not have to look "new" to still be in great shape. Are all the markings clear, all the edges crisp and at least 90% blue remaining? If so, it is getting harder and harder to find an original, untouched Luger in that condition, and probably is more valuable unrestored. If it is pretty worn or has a fair amount of pitting, then restoration is a consideration and Thor does a great job. Is there any chance you could post a couple of clear pictures of both sides? That would help a lot in assessing the condtion of your Luger. I am very fond of these early grip-safety Lugers and enjoy looking at them all. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-01-2003, 11:26 AM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Plowboys pictures added above. Looks in pretty nice shape to me. EBT __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

02-02-2003, 05:20 PM	#8
Russ User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Reading, PA. Posts: 628 Thanks: 2 Thanked 38 Times in 10 Posts	Hi Plowboy DO NOT RESTORE THIS LUGER. You will ruin the value of a nice old luger. IMHO Russ __________________ Livin the dream!!!!!!!!!!!

02-02-2003, 05:34 PM	#9
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	Plowboy, I'm glad you were able to post these pictures with Ed's help. My first reaction was "that's a nice Luger!" You can see from the other responses I am not alone in my opinion. It looks a lot like my first 1906. I have obtained quite a few more Lugers since then, some in near mint condition, but I have to say that I was really fond and proud of that first one. You have a very attractive and original Luger and I, like the others, would encourage you to keep it as it is. Best wishes and thank you for letting us enjoy your good fortune. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

01-31-2003, 06:54 PM	#2
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Hi Larry, Welcome to the Luger Forum. Regarding your Eagle, I would just leave it alone. However, it is your Luger and if the finish is pretty well gone, you might actually increase the value by having it restored. Look down a few sections to "Refinishing" and look for TLSS. One of the Forum Members (Thor) just finished restoring an Eagle and it looks just super! In either case Good Luck!!

01-31-2003, 07:31 PM	#4
plowboy New User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks fellas for your replies. I guess I really don't know how to judge the blueing percentage wise.There are no pits in the finish at all.The markings on the gun are very clear and crisp. I see a little wear on the bottom of the word Germany. I'm not sure if I can post a pic of the gun as I'm not real computer literate.

02-02-2003, 03:57 PM	#6
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	DON'T RESTORE IT!!!! Big Norm

02-02-2003, 04:08 PM	#7
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 471 Thanked 513 Times in 127 Posts	Hi Plowboy.... After looking at the pics - and please know I am NOT an early Luger collector.... BUT... I agree with Big Norm - DO NOT restore this one, it looks terrific!!! Just as it is... I love the early Lugers - they have so many stories to tell, just as they are.... Thanks Ed for posting these - they are great!!!

02-02-2003, 06:06 PM	#10
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,863 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	Plowboy, You speak of value in your initial posting. Should you choose to have this pistol"restored" it's value would plummet by at least half. If you have any sense of history and our duty to guard it as custodians for future generations you will leave this pistol in it's present condition. Thanks for asking our humble opinions before doing something rash...Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

02-02-2003, 07:33 PM	#11
plowboy New User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks fella's for all the input. I will not have anything done to it period. I quess I have one other question, and that would be after seeing the pictures, what percentage would it be judged to be? Again thanks for the input and thanks to Ed for posting the pictures.

02-03-2003, 03:29 AM	#12
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	I would call it 'original blue' aged nicely! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-05-2003, 11:40 AM	#13
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Larry, please check your private messages. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

02-05-2003, 03:29 PM	#14
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I know this gets old for all of us but be carefull of the left grip! The top rear corner can be broken very easily when you try to remove the grip. Congratulations on such a nice gun. My 1906 is not nearly as nice and will get restored sometime in the future. But since it has very little blue left and is pitted, it needs restoration. Yours looks great as-is.