looking at this 1914

[battering ram]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/735422935

my concern is the finish on this gun...it just looks too good

also- opinions on what its worth...ive got a $ in my head

ive asked for a pic of the serial # above the trigger to verify all 4 #'s match on this gun

thanks for any opinions

[battering ram]

never mind---found out the reserve is $1,395...more than double what i thought it would be....i guess they believe it to be original finish....crazy price....ill buy another decent luger instead

[alanint]

FWIW, I think it is a reblue. While careful attention was paid to most markings, The C/U and acceptance stamp around the back sight have that telling "dished" look.

[battering ram]

its just too flawless to me...the purple hue i think is just the lighting....and at more than double what ive seen them selling for even in this condition i think it will sit a while...

[cirelaw]

Doug and Dave are right one. A hundred year old without even a scratch! Perfect grips!!NOT!for that price!!! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This didn't sit in a pocket without even a small ding!! No holster wear!!! Its the only like German and Probobly got it in pawn~ Not an German Expert judging from his other inventory~Eric

[DonVoigt]

Yes, too good; and you are correct about the price, IMO.

I've followed a number of that guy's auctions, and bid on some; he is Waay high on his price/reserve.
Most don't sell.

[battering ram]

im looking for a WW1 era w/ fireblue and minimal holster wear...

id go $500 for excellent....i did bid on one post was for $410 the other day...i really felt it was over priced at $410....luckily i lost the auction otherwise id have regret....im in no hurry and these seem to come up new on GB weekly....the fireblue WW1 ones are a bit difficult to find though...most are post war w/o the fireblue

thanks for your opinions

[ithacaartist]

David, here's a leg up for your terminology.

The term "fire blued" is usually applied to the cosmetic coloration done to certain small parts on the early Lugers. The grip screws, front sight blade, and the sear bar spring were subjected to heat in order to turn their surface molecules a bright blue color.

Rust bluing is a slow, cold process during which chemicals are wiped onto the parts, which are left to rust in a humidity box, then boiled in distilled water to turn the red rust to black/blue. In between each treatment, the gun's surfaces are "carded" with steel wool to smooth the surface. The process is repeated several times until the proper finish color is achieved. This was how Lugers made before the middle of 1937 were finished.

Mid 1937, the Mauser factory adopted "hot dip" or "salt bluing," wherein the parts were immersed in high temperature liquid chemical salt baths. Completed in one shot, it's much less labor intensive than the hand-done rust bluing, so the factory saved considerable time/money with this process.

Early 20th century guns (but not Lugers) sometimes had a finish called "charcoal bluing," during which the parts were buried in smoldering charcoal to develop a very handsome dark blue finish, albeit quite thin--somewhat akin to fire bluing.

I think you meant "rust blue" above, for Imperial or Weimar era Lugers...although some of the small parts are fire blued, or "strawed."

[Sergio Natali]

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

David, here's a leg up for your terminology.

The term "fire blued" is usually applied to the cosmetic coloration done to certain small parts on the early Lugers. The grip screws, front sight blade, and the sear bar spring were subjected to heat in order to turn their surface molecules a bright blue color.

Rust bluing is a slow, cold process during which chemicals are wiped onto the parts, which are left to rust in a humidity box, then boiled in distilled water to turn the red rust to black/blue. In between each treatment, the gun's surfaces are "carded" with steel wool to smooth the surface. The process is repeated several times until the proper finish color is achieved. This was how Lugers made before the middle of 1937 were finished.

Mid 1937, the Mauser factory adopted "hot dip" or "salt bluing," wherein the parts were immersed in high temperature liquid chemical salt baths. Completed in one shot, it's much less labor intensive than the hand-done rust bluing, so the factory saved considerable time/money with this process.

Early 20th century guns (but not Lugers) sometimes had a finish called "charcoal bluing," during which the parts were buried in smoldering charcoal to develop a very handsome dark blue finish, albeit quite thin--somewhat akin to fire bluing.

I think you meant "rust blue" above, for Imperial or Weimar era Lugers...although some of the small parts are fire blued, or "strawed."

Thanks David, quite interesting to bear in mind.

[battering ram]

no i meant fireblue trigger/etc....seems like 1/2 of these guns have rust blued triggers,etc ....and 1/2 came with fire/blue triggers....

i like the look as my luger has fire blue parts also....want to match it and i think its a nice feature....

i own a early 1937 luger, so im up on the rust bluing........im always looking to learn though!!!

thanks for all advice

[ithacaartist]

OK, then, you mean "straw" (not fireblue). Describing the treatment thus will avoid confusing us.

[RichSr]

He means "fire blued". The 1914 Mauser had a fire blued trigger. This feature can also be seen on other firearms of the period such as the trigger and safety lever on early Colt 1903 Hammerless

[battering ram]

if anyone knows of one or has one for sale im in the market....minty prefer ww1 and fireblue trigger

GB has horrible examples and all over priced/non sellers....saw a few that were real nice that sold in December 2016...but they have nothing to offer right now...

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by RichSr

He means "fire blued". The 1914 Mauser had a fire blued trigger. This feature can also be seen on other firearms of the period such as the trigger and safety lever on early Colt 1903 Hammerless

OK, thanks, Rich. I apparently got lost in the thread, and was referring only to Lugers. My experience with most other makes and models is thin.

[battering ram]

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

OK, thanks, Rich. I apparently got lost in the thread, and was referring only to Lugers. My experience with most other makes and models is thin.

wouldnt it be nice to have a 2nd Mauser with similar appearance features to my luger?

i think so...

the 1914 is a pretty unique gun...exact same time period too

nice thing is a excellent example is 1/5th the price

[Geo99]

David,

Mauser made pocket pistols from 1910 to about 1941, in both .25ACP and .32ACP. What you said "1/2 of these guns have rust blued triggers,etc ....and 1/2 came with fire/blue triggers" is incorrect. You may want to study up a little before you buy one to make sure you get what you want.

There are 3 different main models (many sub-models) of the Mauser pocket guns.
All Mod. 1910 have fire blue trigger, ejector, take down, and slide release up until 1936.
All Mod. 1914 have fire blue trigger, ejector, take down, and slide release up until 1929. Then the finish changed to salt blued, up through 1933.
All Mod 1934 have salt blued finish on the frame and all small parts.

None of them have rust blued triggers, but when they wear & age the fire blue can often fade to gray metal, which you might mistake for a rust blue.

I don't quite know what you mean by a WWI model, but obviously some of the guns made up until 1918 could have been used in WWI.

Hope this helps,

- Geo

[battering ram]

looking at ww1 era guns...i know about the 1934's and the 1910's...not on my list

i am not sure if all 1914's have fire blue triggers.....i dont think that was standard...i have not read a book!!!...so im not an expert in any way...but ive read all i can on the web and the sources have said 'some'' are fire blue...when i look at whats for sale? 1/2 or less are fire blue...some may be worn, but many look like the triggers are blued....most if not all 1910's look fireblue...but about 1/2 the 1914's i see appear to be....once again no expert, but im looking for one that has a very clear fire blue

with all the refinished guns this is an easy way to toss out the refinished ones right away....

i know enough to be dangerous.i know

[Sergio Natali]

First and foremost I don't claim to be an expert, then photographs alone are not always a good indicator of what the actual finish looks like, but to me it looks refinished.

[wlyon]

I agree with Sergio. Bill

[battering ram]

a nice pair of german ww2 guns i just got today

1944 p38 and a 1944 hsc...both # matching and in near brand new condition