Refinish a good thing? A rare K date

Mike B · 07-27-2012, 04:52 PM

I think we all pretty much feel the same way about refinsihed Lugers; kind of a turn off. However in some cases it might be of some benefit.
Such is the case here. There is no way I could ever afford to buy a $7000.00-$9000.00 Luger. However with that said, a somewhat rare K date did come along that I thought fit my budget and at the same time was a good representative piece. This K date has a very low serial number (364) and is properly marked throughout the pistol. The mag, although a legit K date mag, does not match, but every part is marked with a script S and last digits of the serial number. Even though it has been reblued, I am proud to own this rare K date. Are all shooters created equal; I think not.

Mike

DavidJayUden · 07-27-2012, 05:34 PM

Mike:
I can't tell for sure from the pictures, but it appears to be salt blued. correct? Do you think this would be a candidate for professional restoration; add a few tool marks, sharpen some corners, and correctly rust blue it? Seems like it may be worth the investment on a gun of this level.
It is a miracle that none of those markings got more washed out in the buffing process.
Regardless, thank you for sharing.
dju

Neil Young · 07-27-2012, 05:39 PM

Good for you Mike. I, like David, am amazed that the markings are so crisp and distinct.

Neil

Thor · 07-27-2012, 06:20 PM

Reminds me of SN 1594 that I restored and used to own. Nice find Mike!

SteveM · 07-27-2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike B

I think we pretty much feel the same way about refinsihed Lugers; kind of a turn off. However in some cases it might be of some benefit.
Such is the case here. There is no way I could ever afford to buy a $7000.00-$9000.00 Luger. Mike

Mike,

I'm in the same boat that you are, I would be proud to own that one as well.

Steve

MFC · 07-27-2012, 09:39 PM

Hi Mike,
Nice early K date.
Refinished or not it's a rare variation. #294 is the lowest S# reported in Jan still's database. Yours is the second lowest. You don't get to see the double o-37 acceptance that often.
BTW, since it's a shooter... can I shoot it?

Mike B · 07-27-2012, 09:55 PM

Many thanks for the kind comments. I have professed for a long time that refinished does not necessarily equal a shooter. Mis-matched, rusty, a common everyday Luger that has been reblued might equal a shooter. But there are many in our hobby that regardless of finish still hold a place of high regard. Just a few that come to mind; a test eagle, a cartridge counter, a fat barrel, a carbine, K date and many more. Just my two cents
Mike

alanint · 07-27-2012, 09:59 PM

I would agree. A pistol that is rare, has "been there" when something historically important took place or can be traced to an important individual, unit or place still holds historical magic for me...

OIF2 · 08-08-2012, 02:13 AM

An awesome pistol I'd love to own.
Bob

Douglas Jr. · 08-08-2012, 08:11 AM

Mike,

I think you did great. Sometimes the real world demands do not allow us to keep the ideal collector's standards. I have my share of reblued rare guns. I prefer to get them (if offered for a fair price) and keep them until another in better shape comes by or let them waiting for a restorartion when my budget allow it.

At the end of the day, it all depends on how confortable and happy you are with your new gun. In this case I would be more than happy!

Douglas.

padredan · 08-08-2012, 10:36 AM

outstanding Congrats

alvin · 08-08-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike B

Just a few that come to mind; a test eagle, a cartridge counter, a fat barrel, G date, K date and many more.

G date probably can be dropped from the list IMO.... but carbine can be added in its place

Mike B · 03-14-2014, 06:24 PM

I was going through some my files on Luger purchases and came across this letter. I have been trying to contact the seller or the buyer in hopes either might have the two mags, tool and holster that is referred to in the letter. In any event, I think this letter along with an original owners manual adds some interest to this Luger.

Mike

Edward Tinker · 03-14-2014, 08:02 PM

Mike, do not know if I read this several years ago

I agree with everything you said above, in fact received a restored K date from a close friend and bought a reblued Test Eagle (Bannerman number) and I feel lucky to have added them.

lugerholsterrepair · 03-14-2014, 08:36 PM

That's a tough one..A proper restoration would be fairly expensive ($2000?) then there are all those decisions..should I have the markings deepened? Or leave them washed out and shallow with a new rust blue..From the looks of this pistol I might lean towards being glad to have it in it's present condition. Cost being a factor..and me being cheap. Of course we can see above by Ted's pic just what one CAN look like restored.
There are only 2 pistols I am interested in adding at this late stage..a K date and a Dutch. Maybe both out of reach unless I sell a bunch of other stuff. Even if I had the cash a K date would be a bit difficult to find? So be happy whatever you do!

Sergio Natali · 03-15-2014, 02:58 AM

Mike

I agree with you, restoring a Luger is not always a "negative" thing, and like everything else in life should be taken with a pich of salt.
I've got a K date Luger, (s/n 9114) but is not that nice, it was rechambered (from 9 Luger to 9x21 IMI) and like yours it's all matching with exception of the magazine.

Congratulations indeed.

Sergio

MikeP · 03-17-2014, 06:35 AM

Guess I am too old for this stuff.
Reading this thread was like listening to huge fingernails digging into a gigantic blackboard.

I can't change the new thinking on molesting less than perfect original pieces, but I don't have to like it either.

mrerick · 03-17-2014, 09:02 AM

Several years ago, I was lucky enough to acquire an all matching Simson made in about 1928. Everything was right except that it had been salt re-blued in it's entirety, obliterating the strawing.

I was very happy to have a Simson. They are so rare... Over time, the salt bluing bugged me to the point that I had it restored. Luckily, the original re-blue hadn't been buffed to death, so it still had it's sharp edges.

With the exception of the halos missing, today it looks very close to the way it might have looked as it left the factory.

Yes - someone had unwisely "done it in"... but it's a pleasure to have brought it back part of the way.

Marc

Sergio Natali · 03-17-2014, 11:37 AM

More or less on the same topic, last Saturday I was talking with another Luger collector and he told me that apparently in Germany is not rare to find good not to say "rare" Lugers "adapted" by their owner, the one pictured below for instance has the got front sight sanded down and the rear sight "upgraded" with two dots engraved on it ... still it was a nice 1939 Mauser P08 Polizei ... and now it's for sale here at the price of EURO 1390.00 ( about USD 1935.00)

07-27-2012, 04:52 PM	#1
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 272 Times in 100 Posts	Refinish a good thing? A rare K date I think we all pretty much feel the same way about refinsihed Lugers; kind of a turn off. However in some cases it might be of some benefit. Such is the case here. There is no way I could ever afford to buy a $7000.00-$9000.00 Luger. However with that said, a somewhat rare K date did come along that I thought fit my budget and at the same time was a good representative piece. This K date has a very low serial number (364) and is properly marked throughout the pistol. The mag, although a legit K date mag, does not match, but every part is marked with a script S and last digits of the serial number. Even though it has been reblued, I am proud to own this rare K date. Are all shooters created equal; I think not. Mike Attached Thumbnails Attached Images

07-27-2012, 05:39 PM	#3
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 547 Thanks: 566 Thanked 443 Times in 168 Posts	Good for you Mike. I, like David, am amazed that the markings are so crisp and distinct. Neil __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

07-27-2012, 06:20 PM	#4
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Reminds me of SN 1594 that I restored and used to own. Nice find Mike! __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

07-27-2012, 09:39 PM	#6
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Hi Mike, Nice early K date. Refinished or not it's a rare variation. #294 is the lowest S# reported in Jan still's database. Yours is the second lowest. You don't get to see the double o-37 acceptance that often. BTW, since it's a shooter... can I shoot it? __________________ Mike C.

08-08-2012, 10:36 AM	#11
padredan User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: louisiana Now, but from the Rebublic of Texas Posts: 937 Thanks: 429 Thanked 316 Times in 182 Posts	outstanding Congrats __________________ In this world nothing is free, except the grace of God

07-27-2012, 05:34 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Mike: I can't tell for sure from the pictures, but it appears to be salt blued. correct? Do you think this would be a candidate for professional restoration; add a few tool marks, sharpen some corners, and correctly rust blue it? Seems like it may be worth the investment on a gun of this level. It is a miracle that none of those markings got more washed out in the buffing process. Regardless, thank you for sharing. dju

07-27-2012, 09:55 PM	#7
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 272 Times in 100 Posts	Many thanks for the kind comments. I have professed for a long time that refinished does not necessarily equal a shooter. Mis-matched, rusty, a common everyday Luger that has been reblued might equal a shooter. But there are many in our hobby that regardless of finish still hold a place of high regard. Just a few that come to mind; a test eagle, a cartridge counter, a fat barrel, a carbine, K date and many more. Just my two cents Mike

07-27-2012, 09:59 PM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I would agree. A pistol that is rare, has "been there" when something historically important took place or can be traced to an important individual, unit or place still holds historical magic for me...

08-08-2012, 02:13 AM	#9
OIF2 User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: TEXAS Posts: 83 Thanks: 133 Thanked 73 Times in 25 Posts	An awesome pistol I'd love to own. Bob

08-08-2012, 08:11 AM	#10
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Mike, I think you did great. Sometimes the real world demands do not allow us to keep the ideal collector's standards. I have my share of reblued rare guns. I prefer to get them (if offered for a fair price) and keep them until another in better shape comes by or let them waiting for a restorartion when my budget allow it. At the end of the day, it all depends on how confortable and happy you are with your new gun. In this case I would be more than happy! Douglas.

03-14-2014, 06:24 PM	#13
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 272 Times in 100 Posts	A delayed afterthought I was going through some my files on Luger purchases and came across this letter. I have been trying to contact the seller or the buyer in hopes either might have the two mags, tool and holster that is referred to in the letter. In any event, I think this letter along with an original owners manual adds some interest to this Luger. Mike Attached Thumbnails

03-14-2014, 08:02 PM	#14
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	Mike, do not know if I read this several years ago I agree with everything you said above, in fact received a restored K date from a close friend and bought a reblued Test Eagle (Bannerman number) and I feel lucky to have added them. __________________ 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

03-14-2014, 08:36 PM	#15
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	That's a tough one..A proper restoration would be fairly expensive ($2000?) then there are all those decisions..should I have the markings deepened? Or leave them washed out and shallow with a new rust blue..From the looks of this pistol I might lean towards being glad to have it in it's present condition. Cost being a factor..and me being cheap. Of course we can see above by Ted's pic just what one CAN look like restored. There are only 2 pistols I am interested in adding at this late stage..a K date and a Dutch. Maybe both out of reach unless I sell a bunch of other stuff. Even if I had the cash a K date would be a bit difficult to find? So be happy whatever you do! __________________ 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."

03-15-2014, 02:58 AM	#16
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Mike I agree with you, restoring a Luger is not always a "negative" thing, and like everything else in life should be taken with a pich of salt. I've got a K date Luger, (s/n 9114) but is not that nice, it was rechambered (from 9 Luger to 9x21 IMI) and like yours it's all matching with exception of the magazine. Congratulations indeed. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

03-17-2014, 06:35 AM	#17
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Guess I am too old for this stuff. Reading this thread was like listening to huge fingernails digging into a gigantic blackboard. I can't change the new thinking on molesting less than perfect original pieces, but I don't have to like it either.

03-17-2014, 09:02 AM	#18
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,919 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Several years ago, I was lucky enough to acquire an all matching Simson made in about 1928. Everything was right except that it had been salt re-blued in it's entirety, obliterating the strawing. I was very happy to have a Simson. They are so rare... Over time, the salt bluing bugged me to the point that I had it restored. Luckily, the original re-blue hadn't been buffed to death, so it still had it's sharp edges. With the exception of the halos missing, today it looks very close to the way it might have looked as it left the factory. Yes - someone had unwisely "done it in"... but it's a pleasure to have brought it back part of the way. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

03-17-2014, 11:37 AM	#19
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	More or less on the same topic, last Saturday I was talking with another Luger collector and he told me that apparently in Germany is not rare to find good not to say "rare" Lugers "adapted" by their owner, the one pictured below for instance has the got front sight sanded down and the rear sight "upgraded" with two dots engraved on it ... still it was a nice 1939 Mauser P08 Polizei ... and now it's for sale here at the price of EURO 1390.00 ( about USD 1935.00) Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.