Restoration question

Ice · 04-25-2009, 04:59 PM

I know that 'boosting' and 'helping' an old firearms finish is dishonest. I also know that very talented firearms restorers can do miracles with cosmetically challenged pieces when the owner insists and pays for the work.

My question is: Does the restorer mark the piece with his name maybe under the grips to show that it has been restored and not factory original?

Just asking. I have no intention of doing anything dishonest.

Thanks

Charlie

MikeP · 04-25-2009, 08:34 PM

Some do, some don't.

alanint · 04-26-2009, 06:24 AM

Anybody who insists on a full restoration usually wants a pristine gun.

Even the best cared for original guns will show handling marks, thinning, nicks or small scratches, slight wear and the reddish tint to the blue after 70+ years.

This is usually how expert restorations are detected.

Mauser720 · 04-26-2009, 07:05 AM

Charlie -

I understand your comment : "I have no intention of doing anything dishonest."

However, I'm always conscious of the fact that these old Lugers are going to be around long after you and I are gone. And then then someone else who may be less honest than we are might indeed try to profit from a previous "restoration."

I guess it all comes down to a personal choice. Even though you are not asking for opinions, I can not help feeling that unless it is a matter of a mechanical malfunction, it is better to just leave it alone.

Mauser720 - Ron

Ice · 04-26-2009, 05:22 PM

Hey, thanks for all the answers/opinions. The reason I want to do a proper refinish is because the pistol has been hot dip blued (not buffed too badly though). It looks like a 72yr old gal wearing glitter makeup applied with a trowel - the finish is ugly enough to make me cringe when I look at it. OTOH I got it at a great price and its all matching numbers with excellent bore. Did I mention that it came wearing sloppy fitting plastic stag grips?

I can make it look period (reblued) correct; actually very nice when I put on well checkered walnut grips. That is the reason for my question. As nice as it will appear, I don't think that it will fool anybody who knows about Lugers. Not my intention to create a fake - thats why I was asking.

Thanks

Charlie

alvin · 04-26-2009, 05:59 PM

I have never seen a restored gun with restorer's name engraved on it.

Always get 2nd and 3rd opinions from others. You paid $$ for it, you're implicitly in a position to defend it, finding excuses for this or that questionable areas. Others won't.

Thor · 07-31-2009, 09:27 AM

I used to mark my work, but now only if the client wants it done. It was three small red dots in the magazine well in a triad formation. I had a gun returned to me to fix a marred place where the owner used a dremel to cut out my marks. I do offer a check of the Serial number to see if it has come through my shop. I have had several people contact me and ask about pistols that they thought I might have restored and I did find a couple that were. I am unaware of what other restorers might do about this.

Ron Wood · 07-31-2009, 09:45 AM

That's the way Pastor Munkel used to do it. He didn't mark his guns but kept a record of serial numbers. Unfortunately, that record is no longer available.

04-25-2009, 04:59 PM	#1
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	Restoration question I know that 'boosting' and 'helping' an old firearms finish is dishonest. I also know that very talented firearms restorers can do miracles with cosmetically challenged pieces when the owner insists and pays for the work. My question is: Does the restorer mark the piece with his name maybe under the grips to show that it has been restored and not factory original? Just asking. I have no intention of doing anything dishonest. Thanks Charlie

07-31-2009, 09:27 AM	#7
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	I used to mark my work, but now only if the client wants it done. It was three small red dots in the magazine well in a triad formation. I had a gun returned to me to fix a marred place where the owner used a dremel to cut out my marks. I do offer a check of the Serial number to see if it has come through my shop. I have had several people contact me and ask about pistols that they thought I might have restored and I did find a couple that were. I am unaware of what other restorers might do about this. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

07-31-2009, 09:45 AM	#8
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	That's the way Pastor Munkel used to do it. He didn't mark his guns but kept a record of serial numbers. Unfortunately, that record is no longer available. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

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04-25-2009, 08:34 PM	#2
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Some do, some don't.

04-26-2009, 06:24 AM	#3
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Anybody who insists on a full restoration usually wants a pristine gun. Even the best cared for original guns will show handling marks, thinning, nicks or small scratches, slight wear and the reddish tint to the blue after 70+ years. This is usually how expert restorations are detected.

04-26-2009, 07:05 AM	#4
Mauser720 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 535 Thanks: 18 Thanked 49 Times in 33 Posts	Charlie - I understand your comment : "I have no intention of doing anything dishonest." However, I'm always conscious of the fact that these old Lugers are going to be around long after you and I are gone. And then then someone else who may be less honest than we are might indeed try to profit from a previous "restoration." I guess it all comes down to a personal choice. Even though you are not asking for opinions, I can not help feeling that unless it is a matter of a mechanical malfunction, it is better to just leave it alone. Mauser720 - Ron

04-26-2009, 05:22 PM	#5
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	Hey, thanks for all the answers/opinions. The reason I want to do a proper refinish is because the pistol has been hot dip blued (not buffed too badly though). It looks like a 72yr old gal wearing glitter makeup applied with a trowel - the finish is ugly enough to make me cringe when I look at it. OTOH I got it at a great price and its all matching numbers with excellent bore. Did I mention that it came wearing sloppy fitting plastic stag grips? I can make it look period (reblued) correct; actually very nice when I put on well checkered walnut grips. That is the reason for my question. As nice as it will appear, I don't think that it will fool anybody who knows about Lugers. Not my intention to create a fake - thats why I was asking. Thanks Charlie

04-26-2009, 05:59 PM	#6
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	I have never seen a restored gun with restorer's name engraved on it. Always get 2nd and 3rd opinions from others. You paid $$ for it, you're implicitly in a position to defend it, finding excuses for this or that questionable areas. Others won't.