Refinish a Chromed Luger?

Captain Emo · 04-26-2005, 03:15 PM

My friend picked up a chromed Luger. It's actually very nice, all matching, with original grips. Is it worth it to have it "un-chromed" or am I better off offering his some money and using it as a shooter?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Emo

lugerholsterrepair · 04-26-2005, 04:18 PM

Emo, Look around and find a chrome place that can reverse electroplate it. It just removes the chrome the same way it was put on. Then it would have to be re blued. I would guess it would have to be a rare Luger to justify the cost.
You might try contacting Ted Green AKA THOR , one of our Luger Forum Members. He does this sort of work. Jerry Burney

Aaron · 04-26-2005, 04:26 PM

Unless your Luger has been expertly refinished, it has probably undergone heavy handed buffing which has affected or even obliterated the all important markings in addition to rounding all the sharp edges. I'm afraid no matter what you do with this Luger you can never make it a collectible piece, so don't waste your time and money on it. However, if it happens to be a .45 caliber Luger I will trade you a nice mint one with original finish for it!

lugerholsterrepair · 04-26-2005, 06:31 PM

Aaron, You may be right but the one I un chromed, a 1908 was not buffed at all. It apparently was chromed right over the blue. I had it re blued and it's a beautiful pistol. I guess one would have to take a critical look at it to be sure.
I just hate to look at a chrome Luger...Jerry

Edward Tinker · 04-26-2005, 08:57 PM

ahhhhh, just shoot the heck out of it....

and Jerry, those chromed / nickled ones don't hurt my eyes, if you see them for $200, buy them and I'll pay you back

lugerholsterrepair · 04-27-2005, 12:15 AM

Ed, That's some good advice...A friend went to an auction in Penrose recently. A really doggy Erfurt, pitted and no finish went for $700.00 plus tax. I wish I could buy em cheap too! I would rather have a dog that's got no finish than a chrome. Just something about them that turns me off. No accounting for taste!
Ed, Didn't I see you with a really nice test Eagle somewhere? If I come accross a chrome Luger maybe you would want to trade! Let me know.....Jerry

04-26-2005, 03:15 PM	#1
Captain Emo User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mid-West Posts: 111 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Refinish a Chromed Luger? My friend picked up a chromed Luger. It's actually very nice, all matching, with original grips. Is it worth it to have it "un-chromed" or am I better off offering his some money and using it as a shooter? Thanks in advance for the help. Emo

04-26-2005, 04:18 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,866 Thanked 3,105 Times in 1,429 Posts	Emo, Look around and find a chrome place that can reverse electroplate it. It just removes the chrome the same way it was put on. Then it would have to be re blued. I would guess it would have to be a rare Luger to justify the cost. You might try contacting Ted Green AKA THOR , one of our Luger Forum Members. He does this sort of work. 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."

04-26-2005, 06:31 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,866 Thanked 3,105 Times in 1,429 Posts	Aaron, You may be right but the one I un chromed, a 1908 was not buffed at all. It apparently was chromed right over the blue. I had it re blued and it's a beautiful pistol. I guess one would have to take a critical look at it to be sure. I just hate to look at a chrome Luger...Jerry __________________ 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."

04-26-2005, 08:57 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,992 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	ahhhhh, just shoot the heck out of it.... and Jerry, those chromed / nickled ones don't hurt my eyes, if you see them for $200, buy them and I'll pay you back __________________ 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

04-27-2005, 12:15 AM	#6
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,866 Thanked 3,105 Times in 1,429 Posts	Ed, That's some good advice...A friend went to an auction in Penrose recently. A really doggy Erfurt, pitted and no finish went for $700.00 plus tax. I wish I could buy em cheap too! I would rather have a dog that's got no finish than a chrome. Just something about them that turns me off. No accounting for taste! Ed, Didn't I see you with a really nice test Eagle somewhere? If I come accross a chrome Luger maybe you would want to trade! Let me know.....Jerry __________________ 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."

04-26-2005, 04:26 PM	#3
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Unless your Luger has been expertly refinished, it has probably undergone heavy handed buffing which has affected or even obliterated the all important markings in addition to rounding all the sharp edges. I'm afraid no matter what you do with this Luger you can never make it a collectible piece, so don't waste your time and money on it. However, if it happens to be a .45 caliber Luger I will trade you a nice mint one with original finish for it!