Luger Definitions~

[Vlim]

There are a few exceptions to the rule when it comes to 'rebuilt / refinished / refurbished' pistols.

For example:
Dutch lugers went through an overhaul program about every 7 years. Depending on the condition, things were fixed/replaced/reblued, etc... Doesn't detract from the value.

Swiss lugers again were maintained throughout their service life (and afterwards) and these actions are well documented. I remember an article on the personal 1906 Bern pistol of the former manager of the W+F Bern, it had the rear toggle and the barrel replaced which was backed by original factory documentation.

East-German ('VoPo') lugers were rebuilt/refurbished from existing P.08 pistols and newly manufactured parts. Well documented.

Finnish lugers got new Tikka barrels.

So, sometimes, refurbishing and rebuilding are part of the service history of pistols and in my opinion this does not hurt the value at all.

[4 Scale]

The "definitions" I'm laughing at these days:

"Exceptional"
"Rare"
"Desirable"
"Unique"
"Extraordinary"
"Historic"
"Iconic"
"Scarce"
"Documented"
"Outstanding"
"Excellent"

And on and on. Any of which can be prefaced by "very", "ultra", "extremely" and similar zippy qualifiers.

Recently I asked a seller about the bore as his ad was silent on the subject. He said it had "pronounced rifling"; just think about what horrors could lurk alongside said rifling.

Dealing with sellers and trying to sort through their descriptions has not increased my faith in the integrity of the average human. Sadly, I have concluded the average Luger Seller considers the average Luger Buyer an idiot (excepting of course those who offer pistols here...)

[cirelaw]

More descriptions, Have it!, had it!, want it!, held it! sold it! regret it! no longer mine! someday! maybe! never again or the best. Got it, had it, regret it because it was my first!! They say you never forget your first especially if its your last!! Eric

[cirelaw]

Are all barrels interchangeable!!!

[Sergio Natali]

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

Well, most of the terms mentioned begin with "r".

To get the ball rolling,

refinished, means the bluing and/or straw colors were done again. Removal of the old finish is the wild card here. It might have been dipped for chemical removal only . It might have been media-blasted, which leaves tell-tale evidence of such. Worst case, it was buffed to prep for the new finish, which can range from a light smoothing of the surface to something that is obviously all rounded over corners and edges.

reworked, would mean it had parts replaced, barrel changed, maybe refinished, etc. Done by official/military armorers--or Bubba.

reblued, is the application of a new finish, whether rust blue or hot dip (salt) blue.

refurbished, might include new finish or chasing out the checkered pattern on the grips, generally, I'd think, anything needed to make the gun look or work better.

replaced, We needn't go over this one too much. Parts could be repro or original--but they can never be "original to the gun".

shooters are the guns that are least collectible, distanced from collectible originality by any or all of the above processes, or just plain old wear and tear. This is not to say that they are not desireable!

I'll add "restored", which is anything necessary to take a gun back to original-like condition. Restoration might include welding heavy pitting back level, making new grips, and probably refinishing. Once a gun is used, damaged, or messed with in any way, it is no longer original--which would be how it was when it left the factory gates--and there's no turning back after that.

David,

Thanks for the lesson, quite interesting, really I mean it.


Sergio