Severe Pitting on byf 42

[HerbZ]

Dwight,

I'm not use to having to deal with pitting or freckling on firearms in years. I always thought that if it was deep enough to stick a pin point into it, it's a pit. Many of these on this Luger are that deep. Perhaps in this digital photo they don't appear to be as deep into the surface as they are because I used a flash. But be they pits or freckles, the pistol has been rusting away for decades, and I have to do something.

If it was a weapon of less renown, value, and not a family heirloom, I might not hesitate to go at it with Flitz polish or 0000 steel wool with WD-40. I was hoping there might be some other, more conservative, path to take towards restoration.

Once restored, I would very much like to shoot this pistol if it would be safe (Wal-Mart Winchester white box 115 gr. fmj). Though quite honestly, the last time I regularly shot firearms that were in a similar condition, I was much younger, single, and military surplus weapons and ammunition were cheap and in great abundance.

Thanks for your reply and enthusiasm for shooting!
HerbZ