The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - M.1908 Navy

Ron Wood · 11-09-2008, 11:33 AM

I am not totally against restoration. There are some items that are so rare/unique and in such deplorable condition that restoration is warranted (I remember years ago reading an article about a 20-shot Conehammer that looked like it had spent some time on the ocean floor that was restored to like new). However, this Luger doesn't fall into that category. It is not particularly unique and I think it would be impossible to restore without destroying some of the proof marks. They would have to be re-cut (I shudder to think that there are counterfeit dies of sufficient quality that the marks could be re-struck) and that would place a cloud of suspicion about authenticity that would always stay with the gun. Best to enjoy it for what it is, which isn't a bad thing.

11-09-2008, 11:33 AM	#5
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,256 Times in 1,724 Posts	I am not totally against restoration. There are some items that are so rare/unique and in such deplorable condition that restoration is warranted (I remember years ago reading an article about a 20-shot Conehammer that looked like it had spent some time on the ocean floor that was restored to like new). However, this Luger doesn't fall into that category. It is not particularly unique and I think it would be impossible to restore without destroying some of the proof marks. They would have to be re-cut (I shudder to think that there are counterfeit dies of sufficient quality that the marks could be re-struck) and that would place a cloud of suspicion about authenticity that would always stay with the gun. Best to enjoy it for what it is, which isn't a bad thing. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction