Whats it worth? My 1st Luger (rig) purchase

[LugerVern]

The problem with pictures, are in fact that they are pictures.

We are analyzing your gun based on pictures so there is always a chance we are wrong in our assumptions, a trick of light, the angle of the shot, a little under exposure, it does not take much to make a perfectly good gun suspect here on the other end of the internet.

We are bombarded with non original guns.

I think I see softening of the proofs on the right side of the gun, and on the SN below the barrel on the frame. This would indicate a refinished gun, maybe a very very long time ago.

Remember near perfect guns make us nervous

Just telling you what I see

Please notice how the outer numbers are worn but the center is not on the 656, this would not happen naturally during the stamping process, it could happen if a professional restorer, took care not to remove original proofs during the restoration process.


Vern

[bijj62]

Originally Posted by LugerVern

The problem with pictures, are in fact that they are pictures.

We are analyzing your gun based on pictures so there is always a chance we are wrong in our assumptions, a trick of light, the angle of the shot, a little under exposure, it does not take much to make a perfectly good gun suspect here on the other end of the internet.

We are bombarded with non original guns.

I think I see softening of the proofs on the right side of the gun, and on the SN below the barrel on the frame. This would indicate a refinished gun, maybe a very very long time ago.

Remember near perfect guns make us nervous

Just telling you what I see

Please notice how the outer numbers are worn but the center is not on the 656, this would not happen naturally during the stamping process, it could happen if a professional restorer, took care not to remove original proofs during the restoration process.


Vern

If I can figure out a better way to post pics I'll try but I don't think photography is my cup of tea. The numbers you are seeing are 655 not 656 with that being said I think the pictures are misleading you. How could you tell the numbers are worn but can't make out the digits themselves? I was affraid this was going to happen and probably shouldn't even had posted this but I was just curious what others thoughts were on my gun. I have a pretty good idea what re-finished guns look like and can almost 99.9% gaurantee you this is the original finish not to mention the man I bought it from has had it since the 40's, ( you probably won't believe that either) Is it too unbelievible that my gun is as nice as it is or are there just that many people who try and pass off a non-original gun for the real deal? Maybe my holster is a repo and the 2 matching mags are fake as well, who knows maybe this thing isnt even a real gun perhaps a squirt gun?