Opinions on a 1938 s/42...

cmdinphx · 06-03-2014, 01:42 AM

I am looking at a 1938 s/42, serial #9885, that is located about 2 hours from me. The pictures are not very clear (as you can see), and I am having trouble making out the letter below the frame serial number. I've asked the seller for a barrel photo showing the stamped serial number, which should be coming tomorrow.

The seller says all numbers match, although he hasn't taken off the grips to verify if they match as well. He also states that the gun hasn't been refinished or reblued since he purchased it in Germany. I haven't asked what the circumstances were when he bought the pistol, as I think the advice forwarded by many in this forum "to buy the gun, not the story" is sound. To my untrained, novice (and older) eyes, the barrel looks like it may be a replacement or even reblued, the serial numbers not crisply stamped, and the overall finish buffed out. That being said, the photo quality is awful; I think they were taken by the camera on an old tablet.

Does it appear to you gentlemen that this pistol been reworked, restamped, or reblued? The asking price is $1,300.

Thanks.

Chris

alanint · 06-03-2014, 05:00 AM

This pistol has been buffed and re-blued. It is a shooter, not a collector piece.

It looks all there if you can get it for a shooter price. This is a $700-$800 gun.

Look closer at the toggle link marked "42", the sideplate and the gun in general. The surface should not have those obvious pits and blemishes. This gun was once rusted/pitted and was buffed and reblued to cover up this surface damage.

ithacaartist · 06-03-2014, 08:52 AM

I agree with Doug. Even at first glance, it looks too shiny and roundy (the edges), which indicates the suspected buffing. The extractor should be blued. ...And those pits all over the place, uh-oh. Someone might pay the asking price, but that would be a move inspired by desperation or ignorance.

DavidJayUden · 06-03-2014, 09:55 AM

Alan and David are dead on. This one is neither collectable nor is it worth $1300.
dju

mrerick · 06-03-2014, 10:21 AM

I agree. Also, out of focus photos don't help much. The quest continues!

rolandtg · 06-03-2014, 08:13 PM

The seller may not have refinished it but someone sure did!
If you're looking for something with collector value this probably isn't it.

cmdinphx · 06-04-2014, 07:15 PM

Thank you to everyone for sharing your expertise; your observations confirmed my suspicions about this pistol! I passed on checking out this pistol in person, and explained to the seller the reasons why I wasn't interested in it for that price.
The people on this forum are awesome! You guys are extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and considerate to newbies like me.
Thanks again.
Chris

06-03-2014, 01:42 AM	#1
cmdinphx User Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 14 Thanks: 13 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Opinions on a 1938 s/42... I am looking at a 1938 s/42, serial #9885, that is located about 2 hours from me. The pictures are not very clear (as you can see), and I am having trouble making out the letter below the frame serial number. I've asked the seller for a barrel photo showing the stamped serial number, which should be coming tomorrow. The seller says all numbers match, although he hasn't taken off the grips to verify if they match as well. He also states that the gun hasn't been refinished or reblued since he purchased it in Germany. I haven't asked what the circumstances were when he bought the pistol, as I think the advice forwarded by many in this forum "to buy the gun, not the story" is sound. To my untrained, novice (and older) eyes, the barrel looks like it may be a replacement or even reblued, the serial numbers not crisply stamped, and the overall finish buffed out. That being said, the photo quality is awful; I think they were taken by the camera on an old tablet. Does it appear to you gentlemen that this pistol been reworked, restamped, or reblued? The asking price is $1,300. Thanks. Chris Attached Thumbnails

06-03-2014, 05:00 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	This pistol has been buffed and re-blued. It is a shooter, not a collector piece. It looks all there if you can get it for a shooter price. This is a $700-$800 gun. Look closer at the toggle link marked "42", the sideplate and the gun in general. The surface should not have those obvious pits and blemishes. This gun was once rusted/pitted and was buffed and reblued to cover up this surface damage. Last edited by alanint; 06-03-2014 at 07:20 AM.

06-03-2014, 08:52 AM	#3
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,336 Thanks: 7,244 Thanked 2,556 Times in 1,361 Posts	I agree with Doug. Even at first glance, it looks too shiny and roundy (the edges), which indicates the suspected buffing. The extractor should be blued. ...And those pits all over the place, uh-oh. Someone might pay the asking price, but that would be a move inspired by desperation or ignorance. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

06-03-2014, 10:21 AM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	I agree. Also, out of focus photos don't help much. The quest continues! __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

06-03-2014, 09:55 AM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Alan and David are dead on. This one is neither collectable nor is it worth $1300. dju

06-03-2014, 08:13 PM	#6
rolandtg User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 476 Thanks: 376 Thanked 258 Times in 113 Posts	The seller may not have refinished it but someone sure did! If you're looking for something with collector value this probably isn't it.

06-04-2014, 07:15 PM	#7
cmdinphx User Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 14 Thanks: 13 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Thank you to everyone for sharing your expertise; your observations confirmed my suspicions about this pistol! I passed on checking out this pistol in person, and explained to the seller the reasons why I wasn't interested in it for that price. The people on this forum are awesome! You guys are extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and considerate to newbies like me. Thanks again. Chris