1940 Luger de-value question

Sergio Natali · 10-29-2023, 04:21 AM

As an enthusiast, seeing a Luger so ruined makes me hurt inside.
However, if I were you I wouldn't take it to any restorer.
Any restoration would decrease the value of the gun.
IMO

Regards.

Dave Sanders · 10-29-2023, 12:23 PM

I appreciate the comments, thank you all for that. One thing I would add is that the gun, in hand, is not as bad looking with the scratches as the pictures portray. I know that a pristine mint Luger is more desirable to most, but this one was there, used and abused, it is still a neat artifact to me.

Yakman · 10-30-2023, 02:16 PM

Sergio. do you think restoring the barrel would decrease the value of the pistol more than it already has been due to its present condition?

I don't!

I don't see neglect as any part of a gun's provenance to be preserved. Fair wear and tear while in military or police service, maybe, but not on a pistol post service.

As for commercial Lugers intended for public sale, they can pretty readily be found in minty condition. With proper care there's no reason, except for neglect, they couldn't all be found that way. Therefore, if one has a neglected commercial Luger and wants to restore it, I see no problem with it. To argue against the restoration, to me, is like arguing for the preservation of the overt act of neglect.

I'm not arguing for restoring guns. I'm arguing it's a personal preference. I, personally, do not have a restored piece. My preference is for guns in 98% or better original condition. Wasn''t always that way, but it is now.

Judging by some of the high prices of restored Lugers I see that sell on Simpson's site, I'd say restorations are more and more coming into the mainstream of Luger collecting.

Jack

10-29-2023, 04:21 AM	#1
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	As an enthusiast, seeing a Luger so ruined makes me hurt inside. However, if I were you I wouldn't take it to any restorer. Any restoration would decrease the value of the gun. IMO Regards. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

10-30-2023, 02:16 PM	#3
Yakman User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 119 Thanks: 881 Thanked 81 Times in 40 Posts	Sergio. do you think restoring the barrel would decrease the value of the pistol more than it already has been due to its present condition? I don't! I don't see neglect as any part of a gun's provenance to be preserved. Fair wear and tear while in military or police service, maybe, but not on a pistol post service. As for commercial Lugers intended for public sale, they can pretty readily be found in minty condition. With proper care there's no reason, except for neglect, they couldn't all be found that way. Therefore, if one has a neglected commercial Luger and wants to restore it, I see no problem with it. To argue against the restoration, to me, is like arguing for the preservation of the overt act of neglect. I'm not arguing for restoring guns. I'm arguing it's a personal preference. I, personally, do not have a restored piece. My preference is for guns in 98% or better original condition. Wasn''t always that way, but it is now. Judging by some of the high prices of restored Lugers I see that sell on Simpson's site, I'd say restorations are more and more coming into the mainstream of Luger collecting. Jack Last edited by Yakman; 10-30-2023 at 03:24 PM. Reason: Composition

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10-29-2023, 12:23 PM	#2
Dave Sanders User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hamer, Idaho Posts: 284 Thanks: 28 Thanked 44 Times in 23 Posts	I appreciate the comments, thank you all for that. One thing I would add is that the gun, in hand, is not as bad looking with the scratches as the pictures portray. I know that a pristine mint Luger is more desirable to most, but this one was there, used and abused, it is still a neat artifact to me.