A few questions about my new luger

Dwight Gruber · 09-05-2006, 08:30 PM

Ken,

Superficially your Luger looks to be in pretty nice shape.

Determining the percentage of blue left on a Luger is subjectively and ultimately a crapshoot. The only systematic method is the photographic firearms grading system developed and used in Fjestad's Blue Book of Gun Values. This is a cruelly conservative system, designed to be used with the equally unrealistic value determinations which make up the bulk of the guide. Luger collectors generally do not use this system.

The best way to guess at a percentage finish for a Luger is to educate your eye, to look at as many Lugers as you can with percentage descriptions assigned by their various owners, and make a best guess at where yours fits in within the very broad range. In general you will discover that a seller will grade the same gun higher than a buyer, and a new owner will grade his aquisition relatively high.

Also, a percentage grade is only valid for a Luger with its original finish. A reblued Luger's finish is 0%. A refinish can be very easy or very difficult to recognize, there are characterisitcs which generally allow one to make the determination. Your pictures do not include these characteristic areas.

The short answer to your question is, then, the numbers come out "of a hat", but by an educated eye.

Regarding Aaron's comment about restoring the white GESICHERT, be very careful about this. Remnants of the original sealing wax in the marking is one of the indicators of a Luger's original finish. Whitening over these remnants obscures this evidence of originality.

--Dwight

09-05-2006, 08:30 PM	#9
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Ken, Superficially your Luger looks to be in pretty nice shape. Determining the percentage of blue left on a Luger is subjectively and ultimately a crapshoot. The only systematic method is the photographic firearms grading system developed and used in Fjestad's Blue Book of Gun Values. This is a cruelly conservative system, designed to be used with the equally unrealistic value determinations which make up the bulk of the guide. Luger collectors generally do not use this system. The best way to guess at a percentage finish for a Luger is to educate your eye, to look at as many Lugers as you can with percentage descriptions assigned by their various owners, and make a best guess at where yours fits in within the very broad range. In general you will discover that a seller will grade the same gun higher than a buyer, and a new owner will grade his aquisition relatively high. Also, a percentage grade is only valid for a Luger with its original finish. A reblued Luger's finish is 0%. A refinish can be very easy or very difficult to recognize, there are characterisitcs which generally allow one to make the determination. Your pictures do not include these characteristic areas. The short answer to your question is, then, the numbers come out "of a hat", but by an educated eye. Regarding Aaron's comment about restoring the white GESICHERT, be very careful about this. Remnants of the original sealing wax in the marking is one of the indicators of a Luger's original finish. Whitening over these remnants obscures this evidence of originality. --Dwight