value of reblued P.08

Tom M · 02-15-2010, 09:57 PM

First, I apologize if this isn't the correct place for this question.

Second, I'm not contemplating doing this, just making a general inquiry.

I have a 1939 S/42 with all matching numbers in about 75% condition. If I had the gun reblued, how much value would be lost? Current Blue Book (for whatever that's worth) is about $1400 +/-. Thanks in advance for any info.

Edward Tinker · 02-15-2010, 10:16 PM

Tom, welcome. if its 75% bluing then that value sounds too high.

You reblue, you now have zero finish and the value is about $600-$800

A professional restore would bring the value up, but cost $500-$1000 I would think...

Ed

Tom M · 02-16-2010, 05:46 AM

Thanks, Ed. Until you mentioned it, I never looked at rebluing as reducing the finish to zero. That makes sense, and explains a few things to me.

As far as the current value, I just used the Blue Book price for a 70% gun with one matching mag, which I neglected to mention I had in my original post.

Thanks again.

alvin · 02-16-2010, 07:19 AM

Common opinion rates refurbished gun as half value.

I noticed "half value of what" has two versions: (1) half value of new gun or near new gun; (2) half value of 80-85% gun.

Probably depends on context, how rare the gun is, how was the job done, who's looking at it, etc, etc.

Using BB value, 1939 S/42 98%->$1850, 80%->$950. Applying (1), refurbished S/42 is $925; applying (2), refurbished S/42 is $475.

70% S/42 BB value is $850.

Tom M · 02-16-2010, 10:52 AM

Thanks, Alvin. My Blue Book says 70% is $950, plus 50% for one matching mag. I'm using the thirtieth edition, page 1136. Is there a later version?

dz · 02-16-2010, 02:54 PM

Tom Did I see this gun for sale by you on another site or am I confused? David, Macomb

Edward Tinker · 02-16-2010, 02:56 PM

Tom, I have never found that a matching mag will bring "me" 50% increase in value. I have found it brings about 30% if I am lucky.

Ed

Tom M · 02-16-2010, 03:58 PM

Thanks, Ed. That's why, in my original post, I qualified my Blue Book statement with "whatever that's worth". I realize that BB values are, at best, a "guesstimate".

Tom M · 02-16-2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zim

Tom Did I see this gun for sale by you on another site or am I confused? David, Macomb

Yes, sir, you did.

alvin · 02-16-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom M

Thanks, Alvin. My Blue Book says 70% is $950, plus 50% for one matching mag. I'm using the thirtieth edition, page 1136. Is there a later version?

I was reading 26th BB. So the book value is $100 higher now. If I am considering, matching magazine does not add anything on a reblued gun. Definitely not 30% or 50% higher.

Tom M · 02-16-2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

I was reading 26th BB. So the book value is $100 higher now. If I am considering, matching magazine does not add anything on a reblued gun. Definitely not 30% or 50% higher.

I agree with you that the mag would not add any value to a reblued gun. I'm just stating what the book said about an unaltered gun.

02-15-2010, 09:57 PM	#1
Tom M User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 37 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	value of reblued P.08 First, I apologize if this isn't the correct place for this question. Second, I'm not contemplating doing this, just making a general inquiry. I have a 1939 S/42 with all matching numbers in about 75% condition. If I had the gun reblued, how much value would be lost? Current Blue Book (for whatever that's worth) is about $1400 +/-. Thanks in advance for any info. __________________ Tom

02-15-2010, 10:16 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,924 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,518 Times in 2,087 Posts	Tom, welcome. if its 75% bluing then that value sounds too high. You reblue, you now have zero finish and the value is about $600-$800 A professional restore would bring the value up, but cost $500-$1000 I would think... Ed __________________ 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

02-16-2010, 05:46 AM	#3
Tom M User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 37 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, Ed. Until you mentioned it, I never looked at rebluing as reducing the finish to zero. That makes sense, and explains a few things to me. As far as the current value, I just used the Blue Book price for a 70% gun with one matching mag, which I neglected to mention I had in my original post. Thanks again. __________________ Tom

02-16-2010, 10:52 AM	#5
Tom M User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 37 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, Alvin. My Blue Book says 70% is $950, plus 50% for one matching mag. I'm using the thirtieth edition, page 1136. Is there a later version? __________________ Tom

02-16-2010, 02:56 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,924 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,518 Times in 2,087 Posts	Tom, I have never found that a matching mag will bring "me" 50% increase in value. I have found it brings about 30% if I am lucky. Ed __________________ 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

02-16-2010, 07:19 AM	#4
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Common opinion rates refurbished gun as half value. I noticed "half value of what" has two versions: (1) half value of new gun or near new gun; (2) half value of 80-85% gun. Probably depends on context, how rare the gun is, how was the job done, who's looking at it, etc, etc. Using BB value, 1939 S/42 98%->$1850, 80%->$950. Applying (1), refurbished S/42 is $925; applying (2), refurbished S/42 is $475. 70% S/42 BB value is $850.

02-16-2010, 02:54 PM	#6
dz Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 259 Thanks: 1 Thanked 55 Times in 39 Posts	Tom Did I see this gun for sale by you on another site or am I confused? David, Macomb

02-16-2010, 03:58 PM	#8
Tom M User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 37 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, Ed. That's why, in my original post, I qualified my Blue Book statement with "whatever that's worth". I realize that BB values are, at best, a "guesstimate". __________________ Tom