Luger 1937 S/42 Information please.

Bentonville · 01-08-2011, 10:53 PM

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A friend has asked me to check on the value of a Luger his father brought back from Germany in 1946. His father has recently passed on and now has the problem of settling with siblings.
The gun is a polished blue with some very minor surface rust on the left side middle of the frame and some light pitting just forward of the chamber. All the numbers match except for the magazine. It has the Nazi proofs. The grips are solid with no cracking. Some darkening around the periphery. Action is extremely smooth. Finish is approximately 85%. If you can offer any insight into the value or any other aspect, please do.
The plan is to use lot of oil and some 0000 wool to lightly rub the surface rust away in order to stop it from doing it's work. Is this a good idea?
Thank you.

DavidJayUden · 01-08-2011, 11:45 PM

Before anyone can give a value we need pictures. Rough value is guestimated at $1000, but that is a proverbial shot in the dark. Yes to the light oil with the grips removed so they don't soak up oil. Nothing that will fade the bluing.
Send pictures and the experts will walk you thru the appropriate cleanup proceedures.
Welcome.
dju

Bentonville · 01-08-2011, 11:53 PM

I wish I could get pictures. The pistol isn't mine and is now in the hands of a fellow that will clean up the surface rust etc. I appreciate the input.

sheepherder · 01-09-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentonville

The pistol... is now in the hands of a fellow that will clean up the surface rust...

...

...

You will be lucky if it is worth $250 when you get it back...

My suggestion: Get it back NOW, before that fellow ruins it...

rivieraranch · 01-09-2011, 08:52 AM

Noooooooooooooooo! Don't let that guy bugger it up with steel wool!

Bentonville · 01-09-2011, 01:20 PM

Will using a lot of oil and 0000 steel wool or bronze wool hurt the bluing? Is it better to leave the surface rust or will that lead to pitting in the future? I don't know how to direct my friend but he is willing to do anything I ask him to do. Thanks for any input.

sheepherder · 01-09-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentonville

Will using a lot of oil and 0000 steel wool or bronze wool hurt the bluing? Is it better to leave the surface rust or will that lead to pitting in the future? I don't know how to direct my friend but he is willing to do anything I ask him to do. Thanks for any input.

I would tell him to post pics of it here, and the people who know what to do will advise you/him...

01-08-2011, 10:53 PM	#1
Bentonville New User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger 1937 S/42 Information please. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A friend has asked me to check on the value of a Luger his father brought back from Germany in 1946. His father has recently passed on and now has the problem of settling with siblings. The gun is a polished blue with some very minor surface rust on the left side middle of the frame and some light pitting just forward of the chamber. All the numbers match except for the magazine. It has the Nazi proofs. The grips are solid with no cracking. Some darkening around the periphery. Action is extremely smooth. Finish is approximately 85%. If you can offer any insight into the value or any other aspect, please do. The plan is to use lot of oil and some 0000 wool to lightly rub the surface rust away in order to stop it from doing it's work. Is this a good idea? Thank you.

01-08-2011, 11:45 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Before anyone can give a value we need pictures. Rough value is guestimated at $1000, but that is a proverbial shot in the dark. Yes to the light oil with the grips removed so they don't soak up oil. Nothing that will fade the bluing. Send pictures and the experts will walk you thru the appropriate cleanup proceedures. Welcome. dju

01-08-2011, 11:53 PM	#3
Bentonville New User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I wish I could get pictures. The pistol isn't mine and is now in the hands of a fellow that will clean up the surface rust etc. I appreciate the input.

01-09-2011, 08:52 AM	#5
rivieraranch User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 101 Thanks: 4 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Noooooooooooooooo! Don't let that guy bugger it up with steel wool!

01-09-2011, 01:20 PM	#6
Bentonville New User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Will using a lot of oil and 0000 steel wool or bronze wool hurt the bluing? Is it better to leave the surface rust or will that lead to pitting in the future? I don't know how to direct my friend but he is willing to do anything I ask him to do. Thanks for any input.