Gun Show Buy: What do I have?

bill m · 09-28-2001, 06:36 PM

Hi Luke,

As in any mass produced item, the die's did wear and the stampings did vary. How deep a serial number is stamped is not a great indication of a possible reblue. Clearness and sharpeness are though. The color of the blue is the most important factor. Study the color of the blue in the sun, or under a light, and compare it to a Luger that you know is original. Most reblue Lugers do not have the right blue when you compare them side by side, but by themselves look really good. Also, remember that there are almost no true 99% to Mint Lugers out there. A 98% Luger is about as good as you will ever find, and if you do not have wear on the gun, be weary of it. Original guns had wear, holster wear, working wear, and firing wear. Look at the firing pin and see if it has a ring around the breech from being fired. Some guns have had wear added, but have never been fired. Each manufacture had a different type of blue and hardness, which shows wear patterns differently. For instance, a mauser will almost always show wear on the left bottom of the grip strap by the bottom of the magazine, where a DWM will not show this wear as much. Look and study, and convince yourself that if it looks too good, it probably is. Mint Lugers are always in demand and will bring a big premium. That said, unless you find a fresh piece, (meaning it has been stuck away in some vet's closet), be leary of anything that shows very little wear, and especially very little wear on the side plate.

09-28-2001, 06:36 PM	#16
bill m User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 385 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: A General Reblue Question Hi Luke, As in any mass produced item, the die's did wear and the stampings did vary. How deep a serial number is stamped is not a great indication of a possible reblue. Clearness and sharpeness are though. The color of the blue is the most important factor. Study the color of the blue in the sun, or under a light, and compare it to a Luger that you know is original. Most reblue Lugers do not have the right blue when you compare them side by side, but by themselves look really good. Also, remember that there are almost no true 99% to Mint Lugers out there. A 98% Luger is about as good as you will ever find, and if you do not have wear on the gun, be weary of it. Original guns had wear, holster wear, working wear, and firing wear. Look at the firing pin and see if it has a ring around the breech from being fired. Some guns have had wear added, but have never been fired. Each manufacture had a different type of blue and hardness, which shows wear patterns differently. For instance, a mauser will almost always show wear on the left bottom of the grip strap by the bottom of the magazine, where a DWM will not show this wear as much. Look and study, and convince yourself that if it looks too good, it probably is. Mint Lugers are always in demand and will bring a big premium. That said, unless you find a fresh piece, (meaning it has been stuck away in some vet's closet), be leary of anything that shows very little wear, and especially very little wear on the side plate.