Telltale Signs of a Refinished Luger

aptech77 · 01-11-2011, 07:21 PM

Yes!!!! I was right! So, a shop by me has an outstanding 1915 DWM P08, s/n# 643ish. Seller told the shop he got it off a soldier in WWII,.....bla, bla, bla. I thinking, No way it made it two wars look that good. It's done well, but $1579....ummmmm, NO. So I wonld love to have a shooter looking this good, but have know idea what would be a fair price for a well done refinished pistol. All # matched except the mag. I would think $900-1k at most! Wish I could get you guys pics, but I'm sure they wouldn't like that. What say you?

HardBaller · 02-01-2011, 01:50 PM

Remember reading recently, for the life of me don't remember where but it was respected author (at least by me) that around 1/2 of all the Lugers for resale were refinished, some better, some worse. Not sure if the number is 100% accurate, but that is why this site is a God send and the members have never been shy in "helping" a fella out.

No problem as long as seller is telling the true story, have several shooters/refinished and "any Luger is good Luger" so to speak. But I do agree with that author in that there are LOTS of folks not telliing the skinny about the provenance, and probably know they are not imo.

One more point I would humbly add (okay, two). They are:

Handle as many models/variations as you can before you purchase. Reputable dealers with true orginal finishes can teach a LOT, but once you've seen a true pristine DMW, or Mauser for that matter, you'll appreciate the effort those folks put into their products. Crisp barrel bands, or the crisp edge of an untouched sideplate, deep and clear proofs, fire blue where fire blue was, or straw for that matter, unfinished muzzle ends, etc. are all a part of determining what a model is worth, and worth to you.

And, read, read, read some more before plunking down the bucks. This forum is one VERY authoritive source but the list is huge of reference books, some by forum members themselves.

Hope this helps, and THANKS for this OP. GREAT additional info.

sheepherder · 02-05-2011, 06:47 PM

Here's another example of buffed & blasted frame ears compared to my S/42 frame ears...

Original frame ears *should* have tool marks...

nukem556 · 02-05-2011, 06:55 PM

not always...look at some original Commercials and Swiss's the ear areas are often smoothly fininshed with no obvious tool marks

sheepherder · 02-05-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukem556

not always...look at some original Commercials...

My two original commercials have tool marks...I don't have a Swiss (never even seen one, except in pics)...

Should we amend it to say...Military production???

02-01-2011, 01:50 PM	#2
HardBaller User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Remember reading recently, for the life of me don't remember where but it was respected author (at least by me) that around 1/2 of all the Lugers for resale were refinished, some better, some worse. Not sure if the number is 100% accurate, but that is why this site is a God send and the members have never been shy in "helping" a fella out. No problem as long as seller is telling the true story, have several shooters/refinished and "any Luger is good Luger" so to speak. But I do agree with that author in that there are LOTS of folks not telliing the skinny about the provenance, and probably know they are not imo. One more point I would humbly add (okay, two). They are: Handle as many models/variations as you can before you purchase. Reputable dealers with true orginal finishes can teach a LOT, but once you've seen a true pristine DMW, or Mauser for that matter, you'll appreciate the effort those folks put into their products. Crisp barrel bands, or the crisp edge of an untouched sideplate, deep and clear proofs, fire blue where fire blue was, or straw for that matter, unfinished muzzle ends, etc. are all a part of determining what a model is worth, and worth to you. And, read, read, read some more before plunking down the bucks. This forum is one VERY authoritive source but the list is huge of reference books, some by forum members themselves. Hope this helps, and THANKS for this OP. GREAT additional info. __________________ Better to Die On Your Feet Than Live On Your Knees

02-05-2011, 06:47 PM	#3
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,197 Thanks: 1,416 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	Here's another example of buffed & blasted frame ears compared to my S/42 frame ears... Original frame ears *should* have tool marks... Attached Thumbnails __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

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01-11-2011, 07:21 PM	#1
aptech77 User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 85 Thanks: 10 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Yes!!!! I was right! So, a shop by me has an outstanding 1915 DWM P08, s/n# 643ish. Seller told the shop he got it off a soldier in WWII,.....bla, bla, bla. I thinking, No way it made it two wars look that good. It's done well, but $1579....ummmmm, NO. So I wonld love to have a shooter looking this good, but have know idea what would be a fair price for a well done refinished pistol. All # matched except the mag. I would think $900-1k at most! Wish I could get you guys pics, but I'm sure they wouldn't like that. What say you?

02-05-2011, 06:55 PM	#4
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	not always...look at some original Commercials and Swiss's the ear areas are often smoothly fininshed with no obvious tool marks