Pitting on Lugers

[Ted]

Here is an old Luger that needed a face lift. I am always scratching my head wondering how they were stored or what they went through to get this way. This one has the bluing stripped off and it just prior to metal prep stage. Sometimes the pitting is locallized like maybe where hands held the gun or where it was keep in a holster for a long time and the chemicals in the leather did contribute to some of the pitting, but sometimes you just wonder what happened to these beautiful guns, a shame! Ted




http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/Tedpitting.jpg

What are those markings on the side of the gun. Looks like Chineese writing

[Dok]

These are German Military Acceptance Proofs, in this case, it would indicate this is a DWM pistol manufactured for the military somewhere beween 1914-1918. All Germany miltary weapons were stamped with these acceptance stamps to show they had been examined and approved for issuing to the troops. See the Technical Information section (Markings) for more examples of these.


Dok

[Ted]

Standard German Army acceptance Stamps, but with that pitting they might look CHINESE!!!!! (Politically STUPID in today World NEWS)

[ViggoG]

Ted:

For most of my life I was a costal resident

in fact I was born and raised in the Hampton

Roads Va. area.

Never living more than one mile from a salt

water beach.

Far to many guns Long and Short were carried

to the beach for tin can plinking which was

also carried out on watercraft of all sizes

in spite of laws against the discharge of

these weapons over open water.


When I have seen guns with a fairly even

rusting of the outer surfaces it was almost

always one of these. Salt spray rusting is

almost always nearly impossible to prevent.


It seems that the salt invades and

mixes with most rust prevention coatings and

attacks the metal from within the coating

itself.


At NASA , We tested many types of oils

and grease based coatings for use at our

coastal launch facilities and as of my

retirement in "77" nothing was found that was

permanent not even the silicones .


I found a beautiful 1906 Eagle Luger

which I have had for 55 Years now, I would bet

that it had gone this path.


Now after careful polishing and reblueing

its only a very pretty "collectible shooter".

ViggoG


If the gun is mint inside and evenly pitted on the exposed surfaces I would bet on salt air.

thanks! How would I find the approx value of my Luger. It is a 1917

[Ted]

Look for a similar condition, same variation on Simpsons Ltd and also on Ralph Shattuck's World of Lugers, they have prices which will put you in the ball park! Need to know also if all matching (including firing pin and hold open(depending on military, contract or commercial variations)) and import or non import marked! Both sights are located in the Links & Resources sectioon of this site! Tedman