refinish or not?

johnnv · 03-25-2005, 11:28 AM

This is my matching 1914 Erfurt that some of the finish is turning. I guess patina is a natural aging process but it just doesn't look good on this piece. I have never refinished any of my collectables but I'm wondering if this Erfurt should be the exception. I think about it's value and originality or just leave it alone and quit worrying about it. What do you guys think?

George Anderson · 03-25-2005, 12:19 PM

A 1914 Erfurt P08 is a rare pistol. I think you make a mistake to refinish it as a future potential owner might be justified in questioning the originality of the whole piece.

DougT · 03-25-2005, 07:12 PM

johnnv,
Definitely do not "refinish it". Instead, have Thor RESTORE it, and I guarantee you the gun you get back will be the apple of your eye. I had Thor restore my 1917 Erfurt, and it is an absolute joy to behold. I am in the process of building my Luger collection from Thor restored guns. If you have any doubt, I suggest you go to Ted's Luger Strawing Service website and look at the before and after photos.
DougT

Stu · 03-25-2005, 07:22 PM

I think George has a very valid point and if the gun has no significant corrosion you might just want to preserve it as the piece of history that it is.

On the other hand if the actual metal surfaces have deteriorated much the Thor option is very valid. It's not easy to see from the pictures how much actual surface damage has occurred.

My Thor restored 1916 Erfurt is a wonderful gun. You can't over-estimate the quality of the work he does.

johnnv · 03-25-2005, 08:52 PM

There is no corrosion or pitting at all on the metal, only some typical holster wear on the high points. I didn't know there was a difference between refinish and restoring these guns.
I appreciate everyone's comments...thanks.

DougT · 03-25-2005, 10:06 PM

johnnv, I'm sorry--I just can't resist, so I'm gonna 'splain it to you: When you have your Erfurt "refinished" by the local Bubba gunsmith, he salt blues it (incorrect finish), then buffs it to death (rounding all the sharp edges) and then hands it back to you permanently ruined. When Thor RESTORES it, he uses smoke and mirrors, pixie dust and all kinds of other wonderful Luger magic to bring your gun (as nearly as is possible) back to the condition it was in the day it left the Royal Erfurt Arsenal. He will apply the correct rust blue finish, renew the straw finished and fire blued parts (all correctly), and make any pitting, scratches, dings and other bobo's simply disappear. He also sends the grips to the grip wizard, and when you see them on the gun again you won't believe your eyes. What I enjoy most about my Thor restored guns is watching people's jaws drop the first time I had them one. Try it--you'll like it!
DougT

Craig · 03-25-2005, 10:28 PM

In addition to all of the magic Thor does he also sends it to another wizard called Bill Adair in Texas that can restore all of the lettering. Between both of these guys they have brought back three guns of mine (one was almost a wall hanger) to just like it left the factory.

johnnv · 03-25-2005, 10:51 PM

When I said I didn't know their was a difference between refinish and restore I was talking about the meaning of the words (I didn't know if they were interchangeable). Believe me, for what I have to pay for a "correct" gun it will never reach Bubba's workbench. Thanks for the reply Doug...

George Anderson · 03-26-2005, 08:19 AM

Regardless of who does the job (restore/refinish) it will diminish the value of your 1914 Erfurt. If you have no concerns for the pistol as an investment and only want it to look better then Ted Green is the best guy to do the job. As I stated above, the 1914 Erfurt P08 is a rare pistol. If you want a pretty pistol sell the 1914 and buy another Erfurt wartime pistol and have Ted restore it. You should still have a couple of hundred bucks to put in your pocket after all costs.

johnnv · 03-26-2005, 09:03 AM

George,
Your point is well taken and I think it's the way I've always felt. This gun goes back into the safe the way it is. Thanks again to all who took the time to respond.
John

trigger643 · 04-01-2005, 10:41 PM

this one I would leave alone

03-25-2005, 11:28 AM	#1
johnnv User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: northern Nevada Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	refinish or not? This is my matching 1914 Erfurt that some of the finish is turning. I guess patina is a natural aging process but it just doesn't look good on this piece. I have never refinished any of my collectables but I'm wondering if this Erfurt should be the exception. I think about it's value and originality or just leave it alone and quit worrying about it. What do you guys think?

03-25-2005, 10:28 PM	#7
Craig User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 58 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In addition to all of the magic Thor does he also sends it to another wizard called Bill Adair in Texas that can restore all of the lettering. Between both of these guys they have brought back three guns of mine (one was almost a wall hanger) to just like it left the factory. __________________ In God we trust, all others we monitor!

04-01-2005, 10:41 PM	#11
trigger643 User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Murfreesboro Posts: 502 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	this one I would leave alone __________________ "There are three reasons to own a gun: To protect yourself and your family, to hunt dangerous and delicious animals, and to keep the King of England out of your face." Ã¢?? Krusty the Clown

03-25-2005, 12:19 PM	#2
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	A 1914 Erfurt P08 is a rare pistol. I think you make a mistake to refinish it as a future potential owner might be justified in questioning the originality of the whole piece.

03-25-2005, 07:12 PM	#3
DougT User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 171 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	johnnv, Definitely do not "refinish it". Instead, have Thor RESTORE it, and I guarantee you the gun you get back will be the apple of your eye. I had Thor restore my 1917 Erfurt, and it is an absolute joy to behold. I am in the process of building my Luger collection from Thor restored guns. If you have any doubt, I suggest you go to Ted's Luger Strawing Service website and look at the before and after photos. DougT

03-25-2005, 07:22 PM	#4
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 451 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	I think George has a very valid point and if the gun has no significant corrosion you might just want to preserve it as the piece of history that it is. On the other hand if the actual metal surfaces have deteriorated much the Thor option is very valid. It's not easy to see from the pictures how much actual surface damage has occurred. My Thor restored 1916 Erfurt is a wonderful gun. You can't over-estimate the quality of the work he does.

03-25-2005, 08:52 PM	#5
johnnv User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: northern Nevada Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There is no corrosion or pitting at all on the metal, only some typical holster wear on the high points. I didn't know there was a difference between refinish and restoring these guns. I appreciate everyone's comments...thanks.

03-25-2005, 10:06 PM	#6
DougT User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 171 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	johnnv, I'm sorry--I just can't resist, so I'm gonna 'splain it to you: When you have your Erfurt "refinished" by the local Bubba gunsmith, he salt blues it (incorrect finish), then buffs it to death (rounding all the sharp edges) and then hands it back to you permanently ruined. When Thor RESTORES it, he uses smoke and mirrors, pixie dust and all kinds of other wonderful Luger magic to bring your gun (as nearly as is possible) back to the condition it was in the day it left the Royal Erfurt Arsenal. He will apply the correct rust blue finish, renew the straw finished and fire blued parts (all correctly), and make any pitting, scratches, dings and other bobo's simply disappear. He also sends the grips to the grip wizard, and when you see them on the gun again you won't believe your eyes. What I enjoy most about my Thor restored guns is watching people's jaws drop the first time I had them one. Try it--you'll like it! DougT

03-25-2005, 10:51 PM	#8
johnnv User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: northern Nevada Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	When I said I didn't know their was a difference between refinish and restore I was talking about the meaning of the words (I didn't know if they were interchangeable). Believe me, for what I have to pay for a "correct" gun it will never reach Bubba's workbench. Thanks for the reply Doug...

03-26-2005, 08:19 AM	#9
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Regardless of who does the job (restore/refinish) it will diminish the value of your 1914 Erfurt. If you have no concerns for the pistol as an investment and only want it to look better then Ted Green is the best guy to do the job. As I stated above, the 1914 Erfurt P08 is a rare pistol. If you want a pretty pistol sell the 1914 and buy another Erfurt wartime pistol and have Ted restore it. You should still have a couple of hundred bucks to put in your pocket after all costs.

03-26-2005, 09:03 AM	#10
johnnv User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: northern Nevada Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	George, Your point is well taken and I think it's the way I've always felt. This gun goes back into the safe the way it is. Thanks again to all who took the time to respond. John