of restoration

Anatolij · 02-01-2016, 03:31 PM

Hi all, I have the opportunity to buy a 1938 production of P08, but his condition is very poor and there is an option to restore it and how to do it

DavidJayUden · 02-01-2016, 03:34 PM

My advice is to buy it as-is and leave it alone if the price is right and it turns your crank.
DO NOT buy it as a restoration project as you will be upside down immediately and never recover your investment.
Or save up a bit more and buy a good original.
What is the asking price and is it a good shooter?
dju

Anatolij · 02-01-2016, 03:39 PM

Asking price is 350 euros (about $ 400)

Edward Tinker · 02-01-2016, 04:33 PM

it depends on what you consider a restore?

And how easy it is to get a 1938 in (whatever country you are from, since it doesn't say)

If its stripping it off and easy reblue, then sure, why not.

But always be aware of how much you will have into it, as David said, its easy to get in too deep...

Anatolij · 02-02-2016, 02:09 AM

As I am from Lithuania, original parts will be difficult for me to get, unless ordered from the USA or from Germany. What is the cost of such a weapon restoration?

MikeP · 02-02-2016, 03:33 AM

The amount of buffing needed to smooth this piece will remove most markings.
It is past actual restoring.
The cost would be near the value of the gun just for a shiny blue pistol.
Good advice is to leave it alone or pass and wait for a better one.

Sergio Natali · 02-02-2016, 06:53 AM

Listen to me leave it as it is, be careful before you use it at the range, have it checked by a good gunsmith.
The fact that is not a collectible doesn't imply that is a "shooter".

Regards.

Vlim · 02-02-2016, 08:32 AM

In Germany, you can buy a nice condition refurbished luger for under 700 Euros. So, as stated above, restoration costs will always be higher. If you want a good restoration done, someone will have to weld in all the pits and then reshape the surfaces, this will take a good amount of time, and will cost well over the price of a pistol in nicer condition.

You can also have it cleaned up a little, but that will either leave traces of the pitting, or destroy most of the surface of the gun, including any markings and sharp lines.

alvin · 02-02-2016, 09:11 AM

There is a small thing that you can do to improve its appearance. Buy a presentation box (with glass cover) hanging on the wall, it will look better than the result of costly restoration. For the empty space under the barrel, add an iron cross (a worn one), that should be easy to find on ebay.

Anatolij · 02-02-2016, 12:28 PM

Thanks very much to all

Ben M. · 02-02-2016, 02:14 PM

is gun chromite plated?

Anatolij · 02-02-2016, 03:02 PM

No, current owners are trying remove rust

rhuff · 02-02-2016, 03:11 PM

That is a very "tired" Luger, BUT if it runs 100%, it could be a good shooter for that price. If the OP is handy and can do some cleanup and cold bluing, it could be improved as to looks, and be better protected. It will still have the pits, etc., but could be improved. For the right price, I would purchase this Luger as a self-project.....but I am fortunate to have a workshop, and the necessary tools, bluing, etc. I, personally, could not leave it looking like it does now. YMMV

Caferacer · 03-07-2016, 02:17 PM

You would be supprised how much pitting can be removed by careful hand sanding (no power tools!)
And slow rust bluing can be done at home with minimal monetary investment, it just takes time, patience and determination, (and more time, a lot more time) however the end result is quite rewarding (if you take your time)

lfid · 03-07-2016, 11:56 PM

Also, you could consider using some of the new spray on coatings as an alternative finish / fill pits
Some require heat drying , others not as far as I know

Somewhere on the forum there is a posting of a pitted luger with pits filled with the spray and final coats - looked very nice - another forum member

Havent done this myself but seems a good option in some cases

good luck in the quest !
Bill

02-01-2016, 04:33 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,608 Times in 2,123 Posts	it depends on what you consider a restore? And how easy it is to get a 1938 in (whatever country you are from, since it doesn't say) If its stripping it off and easy reblue, then sure, why not. But always be aware of how much you will have into it, as David said, its easy to get in too deep... __________________ 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

02-02-2016, 06:53 AM	#7
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	Listen to me leave it as it is, be careful before you use it at the range, have it checked by a good gunsmith. The fact that is not a collectible doesn't imply that is a "shooter". Regards. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

02-01-2016, 03:34 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	My advice is to buy it as-is and leave it alone if the price is right and it turns your crank. DO NOT buy it as a restoration project as you will be upside down immediately and never recover your investment. Or save up a bit more and buy a good original. What is the asking price and is it a good shooter? dju

02-01-2016, 03:39 PM	#3
Anatolij User Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 12 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Asking price is 350 euros (about $ 400)

02-02-2016, 02:09 AM	#5
Anatolij User Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 12 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	As I am from Lithuania, original parts will be difficult for me to get, unless ordered from the USA or from Germany. What is the cost of such a weapon restoration?

02-02-2016, 03:33 AM	#6
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	The amount of buffing needed to smooth this piece will remove most markings. It is past actual restoring. The cost would be near the value of the gun just for a shiny blue pistol. Good advice is to leave it alone or pass and wait for a better one.

02-02-2016, 08:32 AM	#8
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,991 Times in 1,205 Posts	In Germany, you can buy a nice condition refurbished luger for under 700 Euros. So, as stated above, restoration costs will always be higher. If you want a good restoration done, someone will have to weld in all the pits and then reshape the surfaces, this will take a good amount of time, and will cost well over the price of a pistol in nicer condition. You can also have it cleaned up a little, but that will either leave traces of the pitting, or destroy most of the surface of the gun, including any markings and sharp lines.

02-02-2016, 12:28 PM	#10
Anatolij User Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 12 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks very much to all

02-02-2016, 02:14 PM	#11
Ben M. User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Retired to Naples, FL. Posts: 497 Thanks: 109 Thanked 155 Times in 97 Posts	is gun chromite plated?

02-02-2016, 03:02 PM	#12
Anatolij User Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 12 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No, current owners are trying remove rust

02-02-2016, 03:11 PM	#13
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,314 Thanks: 2,746 Thanked 998 Times in 733 Posts	That is a very "tired" Luger, BUT if it runs 100%, it could be a good shooter for that price. If the OP is handy and can do some cleanup and cold bluing, it could be improved as to looks, and be better protected. It will still have the pits, etc., but could be improved. For the right price, I would purchase this Luger as a self-project.....but I am fortunate to have a workshop, and the necessary tools, bluing, etc. I, personally, could not leave it looking like it does now. YMMV

03-07-2016, 02:17 PM	#14
Caferacer User Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 60 Thanks: 96 Thanked 25 Times in 13 Posts	You would be supprised how much pitting can be removed by careful hand sanding (no power tools!) And slow rust bluing can be done at home with minimal monetary investment, it just takes time, patience and determination, (and more time, a lot more time) however the end result is quite rewarding (if you take your time)

03-07-2016, 11:56 PM	#15
lfid Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wichita, KS USA Posts: 453 Thanks: 573 Thanked 96 Times in 53 Posts	Also, you could consider using some of the new spray on coatings as an alternative finish / fill pits Some require heat drying , others not as far as I know Somewhere on the forum there is a posting of a pitted luger with pits filled with the spray and final coats - looked very nice - another forum member Havent done this myself but seems a good option in some cases good luck in the quest ! Bill