Luger worth restoring?

GPSIG · 06-28-2008, 06:39 AM

This is my first post, I am a glock shooter who was asked by a WWII vet to look at "an old pistol." It is the luger below. His questions to me were "Is it worth anything, should I restore it, and if I shouldn't restore how do I make it nice enough to display?" It does have the Federal-style engraving on the top front of the receiver. From what I have seen on gunbroker the luger isn't worth much of anything, but welcome thoughts of actual experts.

Lugerdoc · 06-28-2008, 07:23 AM

This M1900 luger is in pretty rough shape and has had most of the parts unique to this model removed. I would not recommend restoring it, as just the parts, not including refinishing, will cost more that your friend could purchase a complete PO8 shooter. TH

Navy · 06-28-2008, 08:06 AM

Hmmm..."Estimate 80% blue and some scattered freckling" in Gunbroker parlance.

Tom A

Ron Smith · 06-28-2008, 08:36 AM

Welcome to the forum...

The best thing for him to do, is leave it as is, mount it in an award frame(deep picture frame) with some nice red, blue or green felt backing and hang it on the wall. It would make for a nice display.

If he wants to get rid of it? I would be interested in buying it for just the reason that I stated above. A wall decoration.

As Tom "Lugerdoc" says...It's pretty much toast. And would be very expensive to restore.

Ron

amelson@comcast.net

Ron Smith · 06-28-2008, 10:46 AM

"Cheer up!", they said, "it could get worse!" So I cheered up, and sure enough, it got worse'.

That's pretty much my philosophy too.

"Always expect the worst. So, no matter how it turns out. It's a plus."

Navy · 06-28-2008, 11:10 AM

I learned in Ranger School that when you think it can't possibly get any worse, it does so with nauseating regularity.

Tom A

LugerVern · 06-28-2008, 11:40 AM

The gun has the looks of having been in a fire, and dug up later in the debris.

I would be very cautious of shooting it!!!! Might blow up on you!!!

It also looks like someone has already tried to remove the barrel and hammered on the rear receiver and sides They most likely have damaged the gun in doing so.

I like the shadow box idea:
Take a file and square the edges a little were they hammered on it.
Go to Wal Mart and buy a can of the rust converter.
Spray layers of sealant onto the gun, this turns a nice blue black color as it reacts with the rusty surface and fills in the dents.
Use wood to fashion your missing parts.
Use gold paint to turn the strawed parts a more pleasing color
Buy some cheap grips and you have a nice conversation piece.

Vern

PS: On the bright side it looks to be all matching

06-28-2008, 06:39 AM	#1
GPSIG New User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger worth restoring? This is my first post, I am a glock shooter who was asked by a WWII vet to look at "an old pistol." It is the luger below. His questions to me were "Is it worth anything, should I restore it, and if I shouldn't restore how do I make it nice enough to display?" It does have the Federal-style engraving on the top front of the receiver. From what I have seen on gunbroker the luger isn't worth much of anything, but welcome thoughts of actual experts.

06-28-2008, 07:23 AM	#2
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	This M1900 luger is in pretty rough shape and has had most of the parts unique to this model removed. I would not recommend restoring it, as just the parts, not including refinishing, will cost more that your friend could purchase a complete PO8 shooter. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

06-28-2008, 08:36 AM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Welcome to the forum... The best thing for him to do, is leave it as is, mount it in an award frame(deep picture frame) with some nice red, blue or green felt backing and hang it on the wall. It would make for a nice display. If he wants to get rid of it? I would be interested in buying it for just the reason that I stated above. A wall decoration. As Tom "Lugerdoc" says...It's pretty much toast. And would be very expensive to restore. Ron amelson@comcast.net __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

06-28-2008, 10:46 AM	#5
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	"Cheer up!", they said, "it could get worse!" So I cheered up, and sure enough, it got worse'. That's pretty much my philosophy too. "Always expect the worst. So, no matter how it turns out. It's a plus." __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

06-28-2008, 08:06 AM	#3
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Hmmm..."Estimate 80% blue and some scattered freckling" in Gunbroker parlance. Tom A

06-28-2008, 11:10 AM	#6
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	I learned in Ranger School that when you think it can't possibly get any worse, it does so with nauseating regularity. Tom A

06-28-2008, 11:40 AM	#7
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	The gun has the looks of having been in a fire, and dug up later in the debris. I would be very cautious of shooting it!!!! Might blow up on you!!! It also looks like someone has already tried to remove the barrel and hammered on the rear receiver and sides They most likely have damaged the gun in doing so. I like the shadow box idea: Take a file and square the edges a little were they hammered on it. Go to Wal Mart and buy a can of the rust converter. Spray layers of sealant onto the gun, this turns a nice blue black color as it reacts with the rusty surface and fills in the dents. Use wood to fashion your missing parts. Use gold paint to turn the strawed parts a more pleasing color Buy some cheap grips and you have a nice conversation piece. Vern PS: On the bright side it looks to be all matching