Obliterated Markings

[John Sabato]

Dwight,

I concur that almost all of the spots appear to be a vigorous attempt to remove surface rust and spot blue... My only area of concern is on the front of the frame where it appears that the area that has been ground, not rubbed, could be a successful attempt to remove the suffix letter...

This could be a bad thing... if you are not sure of the history and ownership lineage of the piece I would be very careful that you document the sale carefully to protect yourself... other than that caution, I think it is a fine piece and wish it were mine...

Since it has already been visibly altered, I think it would be a fine candidate for a total doll job rust blue restoration by Thor... but I would also solicit input recommendations and comments from our resident Navy Luger guru's Tom A and Derek S about refinishing now that you have posted the photos showing the alterations...

The following material was added after analysis of the photos that Dwight posted - JS) I have enlarged your scan, and enhanced a portion of it with color balance and some additional contrast. I have also taken the enhanced image and turned it into a color negative image for comparison. Sometimes the camera (or in this case scanner) can see what the naked eye cannot. In the red circles that I have painted over the images, I think I can see the faint image of a suffix letter that I can't quite make out... A better and sharper image would be required for that, or a 10x jeweler's loupe in good light.

Now that I have seen it up close, the spot looks like it may have had heavy surface rust from extended, muzzle down, holster storage, and some ambitious application of either emory paper or steel wool has worn down the suffix letter area during the rust removal so that the letter is hardly visible. I don't think the alterations to your Navy are sinister in nature, just an attempt to make the pistol look better...

Nice Gun!