restoring Navy Luger

artyguy · 05-11-2009, 08:44 PM

I am new to this forum and a fairly inexperienced Luger collector.

I have a 1916 (1917 date) Luger. It is Imperial Navy marked and has Belgium proofs on it also. It matches throughtout except the grips, and I think the holdopen is a replaced part.

The side plate has what appears to be blood pitting as does the left side on the butt of the gun. The matching magazine also has the same kind of pitting.

My question: would this gun make a good candidate for a complete restoration or is it just not worth the time and effort and leave it be?

If it is worthwhile, does anyone have someone to

recommend?

,
Thanks, Steve

Douglas Jr. · 05-11-2009, 09:41 PM

Steve,

If possible please post some pictures. It will help us to evaluate if the gun should be restored or not. Sometime what appears to be a great issue would not harm the value as much as a restoration.

Welcome to the board!

Douglas

artyguy · 05-12-2009, 02:12 PM

Douglas:

I have tried three times to get the photos to upload, but I get an internal service error every time. I reduced the file size so it should fit, but no luck.

Not sure what is going wrong.

any suggestions?

Steve

sheepherder · 05-12-2009, 02:44 PM

Steve -

When you click the "Manage Attachments" button, and select/navigate to the pics on your HDD, do you click the "Upload" button and then wait until the window shows them as being attached, and then just close the window and click "Submit" to post the text + pics???

BTW: I get that error, too...Ed says there is no timeout, but if you wait too long to click "Submit" after getting the pics uploaded, it sure does time out...

Vlim · 05-12-2009, 02:56 PM

Since the Navy is the most boosted, copied, messed-with version within Luger collecting, I'd keep it as original as possible (i.e. no restoration). Originals, even in less than good condition should hold their value much better.

artyguy · 05-12-2009, 04:55 PM

Yes, I did go to manage attachments, then navigate & select my pics, I hit upload and it indicates that it is uploading just fine. After what initially seems to be a succesful upload (the little bar on the screen shows 100%) I get the internal service error and no pics.

I just noticed that John says he is doing some work on the server, I wonder if that could have anything to do with it.

I'll try again later and hope for the best.

I'm kind of inclined to leave it alone and if I want a better one, do some trading up later.

Steve

luger11 · 05-12-2009, 05:33 PM

Hi Steve.........LEAVE IT ALONE. This is honest opinion and only my opinion !

Leo

sheepherder · 05-12-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artyguy

After what initially seems to be a succesful upload (the little bar on the screen shows 100%) I get the internal service error and no pics.

It seems to be a common problem lately...I'm on a dial-up connection, and I can usually only upload two pics at a time...

If you'd like, email me a pic or two and I'll see if I can upload them to this thread...

artyguy · 05-12-2009, 07:22 PM

Hi Postino:

Yes, that would be nice. If you'r give me your e-mail address I''ll send a few pictures along.

It seems that the opinion even without pics is to leave it alone.

Thanks, Steve

sheepherder · 05-12-2009, 07:46 PM

Steve sent some pics...

sheepherder · 05-13-2009, 01:14 PM

A couple more...

sheepherder · 05-13-2009, 02:34 PM

Some more...

sheepherder · 05-13-2009, 02:37 PM

Three more...AOL is cropping the pics to 480 x 360; bear with us...

Edward Tinker · 05-13-2009, 02:53 PM

oh, I hate AOL...

Well, restore would make it pretty, but if me, I'd leave it alone and be glad to own a real navy again

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

...

BTW: I get that error, too...Ed says there is no timeout, but if you wait too long to click "Submit" after getting the pics uploaded, it sure does time out...

....................................be quicker grasshopper

Douglas Jr. · 05-13-2009, 02:54 PM

I would keep it as it is.
As stated above, even in this condition is an original Navy Luger:something not often seem lately. And a restortation is ALWAYS a restoration no mater how good the work was done, and it will decrease its value.

Douglas

John Sabato · 05-13-2009, 03:01 PM

This gun is PERFECT just the way it is... don't mess with the restoration. This is a GENUINE NAVY.

sheepherder · 05-13-2009, 03:30 PM

How would it have gotten the Belgium proofs??? Is that flaming bomb, the proof???

Douglas Jr. · 05-13-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

How would it have gotten the Belgium proofs??? Is that flaming bomb, the proof???

As far as I remember, some uncertain number of Gemran Lugers was left behind in Belgium after the Armistice and withdrawn to Germany in November, 1918. These guns were later issued in the civil market but not before being proofed by the local government.

Douglas.

sheepherder · 05-13-2009, 06:44 PM

Steve sent me a big pic of the side views...I've crunched them to the Forum limits...let's see if I can get them up...

sheepherder · 05-13-2009, 06:48 PM

Hmmmm....

05-11-2009, 08:44 PM	#1
artyguy User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	restoring Navy Luger I am new to this forum and a fairly inexperienced Luger collector. I have a 1916 (1917 date) Luger. It is Imperial Navy marked and has Belgium proofs on it also. It matches throughtout except the grips, and I think the holdopen is a replaced part. The side plate has what appears to be blood pitting as does the left side on the butt of the gun. The matching magazine also has the same kind of pitting. My question: would this gun make a good candidate for a complete restoration or is it just not worth the time and effort and leave it be? If it is worthwhile, does anyone have someone to recommend? , Thanks, Steve

05-12-2009, 07:46 PM	#10
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Steve sent some pics... Attached Images Last edited by sheepherder; 05-13-2009 at 01:13 PM.

05-13-2009, 01:14 PM	#11
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	A couple more... Attached Images

05-13-2009, 02:34 PM	#12
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Some more... Attached Images

05-13-2009, 02:37 PM	#13
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Three more...AOL is cropping the pics to 480 x 360; bear with us... Attached Images

05-11-2009, 09:41 PM	#2
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Steve, If possible please post some pictures. It will help us to evaluate if the gun should be restored or not. Sometime what appears to be a great issue would not harm the value as much as a restoration. Welcome to the board! Douglas

05-12-2009, 02:12 PM	#3
artyguy User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Douglas: I have tried three times to get the photos to upload, but I get an internal service error every time. I reduced the file size so it should fit, but no luck. Not sure what is going wrong. any suggestions? Steve

05-12-2009, 02:44 PM	#4
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Steve - When you click the "Manage Attachments" button, and select/navigate to the pics on your HDD, do you click the "Upload" button and then wait until the window shows them as being attached, and then just close the window and click "Submit" to post the text + pics??? BTW: I get that error, too...Ed says there is no timeout, but if you wait too long to click "Submit" after getting the pics uploaded, it sure does time out...

05-12-2009, 02:56 PM	#5
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Since the Navy is the most boosted, copied, messed-with version within Luger collecting, I'd keep it as original as possible (i.e. no restoration). Originals, even in less than good condition should hold their value much better.

05-12-2009, 04:55 PM	#6
artyguy User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes, I did go to manage attachments, then navigate & select my pics, I hit upload and it indicates that it is uploading just fine. After what initially seems to be a succesful upload (the little bar on the screen shows 100%) I get the internal service error and no pics. I just noticed that John says he is doing some work on the server, I wonder if that could have anything to do with it. I'll try again later and hope for the best. I'm kind of inclined to leave it alone and if I want a better one, do some trading up later. Steve

05-12-2009, 05:33 PM	#7
luger11 User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 149 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Steve.........LEAVE IT ALONE. This is honest opinion and only my opinion ! Leo

05-12-2009, 07:22 PM	#9
artyguy User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Postino: Yes, that would be nice. If you'r give me your e-mail address I''ll send a few pictures along. It seems that the opinion even without pics is to leave it alone. Thanks, Steve

05-13-2009, 02:54 PM	#15
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	I would keep it as it is. As stated above, even in this condition is an original Navy Luger:something not often seem lately. And a restortation is ALWAYS a restoration no mater how good the work was done, and it will decrease its value. Douglas

05-13-2009, 03:01 PM	#16
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	This gun is PERFECT just the way it is... don't mess with the restoration. This is a GENUINE NAVY. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

05-13-2009, 03:30 PM	#17
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	How would it have gotten the Belgium proofs??? Is that flaming bomb, the proof???

05-13-2009, 06:44 PM	#19
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Steve sent me a big pic of the side views...I've crunched them to the Forum limits...let's see if I can get them up... Attached Thumbnails

05-13-2009, 06:48 PM	#20
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Hmmmm.... Attached Thumbnails