Mauser Restoration

[fantomark]

HI!

I am writing to ask the opinion of you Luger experts about a potential purchase.

I was offered a brand new P08 9mm S/42 fully Mauser Factory restored .
I believe the date is 1939, with standard WWII military markings.

I have examined the pistol and it simply look spectacular.
I also inspected all the inside components, after the usual basic field-stripping.
All components look just like new, including the inside of barrel.
I have been assured that tha pistol has probably never been fired after ther restoration - apart from the usual test shots - and it looks like so!

Finish of blueing and strawing is really 100%: if anything almost TOO PERFECT for someone like me , who so far has only seen unrestored examples.
Grips have been obviously replaced and they are absulutely brand new.
The dealer says that Pistol also comes wth its original box, though I have not seen it yet.

I already have a 1918 and a 1921 DWMs., and now I would like to add a typical WWII P08 to my small collection.
I also am tempted by the fact that this full restoration is probably as close as I could ever get to a brand new P08 as issued originally by Mauser .
However, some collectors here believe that these modern factory restorations, although superb looking and fully functional should not be considered by serious collectors since the rebuild has destroyed the original value of the gun.

We have a similar situation with Vintage Cars & Bikes. Some purists believe that a well preserved original is always better than any restorations.

However I have just finished restoring My 1973 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide , which after many years of loyal service, at last needed (I would rather say: deserved) new paintwork & Chroming - plus minor mechanical work.
Now she looks again a beauty and and the engine runs happily as in her early days.
It is also a widely accepted opinion that her monetary value has also increased thanks to a full and careful restoration....would the same principle work for a Luger as well, especially if it was retored by the mother company, and almost never fired ever since?

.....Thanks to everybody in advance for your opinions!

Chers!

Marco