Yet another newbie

TexasViking · 01-07-2010, 11:32 PM

Was in a small gun store today for some other business and saw a Luger. Told the owner I'd like to look at it as "I like weird stuff." Owner said it was on consignment as the owner had moved to California and couldn't take all his guns. It's a 1937 Mauser (S42), matching as far as I could see, including a mag. Clean, no pitting, didn't see down the barrel. Now I can't remember if it's straw but I think so. Little bit of wear around the muzzle, we'll call it a 90% gun. My question is the markings, they're paint filled, highlighted, I don't know what the term is. I've seen pictures with and without. I can't see how they'd survive 70 years. And yet if it was restored, why the wear at the muzzle? He wants $1400. Decisions, decisions.

DavidJayUden · 01-08-2010, 12:01 AM

Sounds a bit like laquer stick, a crayon-like filler that is easily applied to highlight markings. It will last indefinitely with no contact but comes right off by rubbing. But I supose it could be paint. Closer exam may be necessary. Solvent?
Happy hunting. Now go make your best deal and buy it. The needle is clearly in.
dju

TexasViking · 01-08-2010, 01:28 AM

Oh, the needle has been in for a long time.

So is the laquer stick treatment original or something added later? It seems almost too clean but hey, folks find 57 corvettes in old barns.

c3006 · 01-08-2010, 01:58 AM

It is not original,many collectors use it to highlight the markings to make them easy to read. It will come right out and does not affect the value of the pistol. A matching mag pistol is very hard to come by. Good luck with it and welcome to the forum. c

Ron Smith · 01-08-2010, 08:39 AM

Hi Robert,

Welcome to the ward..

If it has strawed small parts, it was made in early 1937. Mauser changed over to salt bluing in about April 1937, including bluing the small parts.

MFC · 01-08-2010, 09:40 AM

Robert,
'GESICHERT' stamped under the thumb safety is filled with paint/enamel, and is factory original.

TexasViking · 01-08-2010, 12:18 PM

Thanks all for the information. I'm headed back to pick up the other work and I'll check the barrel. If it's good, sounds like I might be moving some money around this weekend.

alvin · 01-08-2010, 06:05 PM

Lacquer can be resolved by a little bit AceTone, and won't hurt the gun blue. Don't use needle, that inevitably leaves tiny scratches on or around the stamps.

lugerholsterrepair · 01-08-2010, 06:31 PM

IF it turns out to be a pistol you want to aquire after careful inspection..I would offer somewhat less than the asking price. I would also inspect it very carefully, inside and out as well as the magazine base. One little flaw could kick it into a shooter catagory and cut the price in half. Do your homework or pay the tuition to Luger U!

Jerry Burney

01-07-2010, 11:32 PM	#1
TexasViking New User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yet another newbie Was in a small gun store today for some other business and saw a Luger. Told the owner I'd like to look at it as "I like weird stuff." Owner said it was on consignment as the owner had moved to California and couldn't take all his guns. It's a 1937 Mauser (S42), matching as far as I could see, including a mag. Clean, no pitting, didn't see down the barrel. Now I can't remember if it's straw but I think so. Little bit of wear around the muzzle, we'll call it a 90% gun. My question is the markings, they're paint filled, highlighted, I don't know what the term is. I've seen pictures with and without. I can't see how they'd survive 70 years. And yet if it was restored, why the wear at the muzzle? He wants $1400. Decisions, decisions.

01-08-2010, 01:58 AM	#4
c3006 User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: east tn Posts: 526 Thanks: 5 Thanked 12 Times in 5 Posts	It is not original,many collectors use it to highlight the markings to make them easy to read. It will come right out and does not affect the value of the pistol. A matching mag pistol is very hard to come by. Good luck with it and welcome to the forum. c __________________ Men Accustomed unto thier arms and their liberties will never endure the yoke. James Harrington 1776

01-08-2010, 08:39 AM	#5
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Robert, Welcome to the ward.. If it has strawed small parts, it was made in early 1937. Mauser changed over to salt bluing in about April 1937, including bluing the small parts. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

01-08-2010, 09:40 AM	#6
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Robert, 'GESICHERT' stamped under the thumb safety is filled with paint/enamel, and is factory original. __________________ Mike C.

01-08-2010, 06:31 PM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,868 Thanked 3,106 Times in 1,429 Posts	IF it turns out to be a pistol you want to aquire after careful inspection..I would offer somewhat less than the asking price. I would also inspect it very carefully, inside and out as well as the magazine base. One little flaw could kick it into a shooter catagory and cut the price in half. Do your homework or pay the tuition to Luger U! 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."

01-08-2010, 12:01 AM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Sounds a bit like laquer stick, a crayon-like filler that is easily applied to highlight markings. It will last indefinitely with no contact but comes right off by rubbing. But I supose it could be paint. Closer exam may be necessary. Solvent? Happy hunting. Now go make your best deal and buy it. The needle is clearly in. dju

01-08-2010, 01:28 AM	#3
TexasViking New User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Oh, the needle has been in for a long time. So is the laquer stick treatment original or something added later? It seems almost too clean but hey, folks find 57 corvettes in old barns.

01-08-2010, 12:18 PM	#7
TexasViking New User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks all for the information. I'm headed back to pick up the other work and I'll check the barrel. If it's good, sounds like I might be moving some money around this weekend.

01-08-2010, 06:05 PM	#8
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Lacquer can be resolved by a little bit AceTone, and won't hurt the gun blue. Don't use needle, that inevitably leaves tiny scratches on or around the stamps.