Restoration value?

uscavman · 04-20-2013, 04:52 PM

How much does a restored Luger by Ted change the value of it if it was unrestored. I know I may be vague but have the opportunity to purchase a restored luger. Would it be better to buy an unrestored one value wise. Is it shooter grade now and not collectors grade. For example is an all matching 1916 DWM fully restored by Ted worth more or less than an all matching with say 50% finish. Just wanting to get the best investment for my money. Thanks

wlyon · 04-20-2013, 07:05 PM

I guess that somewhat depends on the collector. Seems that more people now want new looking versus history. To me a restored luger is in deed a shooter grade. Maybe some exceptions on very rare guns. To me a restored luger is worth less than a matched gun at 50%. A restored luger has lost all of it's history and is in the category of any new handgun. If you want one restored Ted is the one to do it. I am sure we will get a lot of varied comments. That's part of the fun. This is only one old time collectors biased opinion. Bill

Lugerdoc · 04-22-2013, 10:18 AM

IMHO, It all depends on what you are starting with. I wouldn't consider the cost of restoring a luger unless it was all matching with an exc bore and something unusual. I agree with the above, that restoring a matching, 50% finish 1916 military would not enhanse it value. TH

uscavman · 05-01-2013, 07:32 AM

OK that is what I was thinking as well. Thanks.

marshombre · 05-18-2013, 10:43 PM

Seems to me to be entirely subjective. I have two Lugers restored by Thor and I'm sure that when and if I part with them, I won't break even on the money I have invested. No problem, I had them restored to their former glory to own a pre-war DWM and Erfurt in pristine condition. Sometimes money ain't everything. MR

Edward Tinker · 05-18-2013, 10:50 PM

I prefer them 'natural' but if one is in horrible shape, missing finish, etc.

Then restoring to like new, hey, why not?

Sergio Natali · 05-19-2013, 09:42 AM

I agree 100% with Wlyon

sheepherder · 05-19-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luger.parabellum

I agree 100% with Wlyon

I agree with Sergio's agreement with Bill.

Lewis Fifer · 06-05-2013, 03:14 PM

In regard to restoration, we had an antique car show here in Hendersonville and large crowds l
ooking at the restored old cars. The cars were restored to prefection and require many times
their original cost. How are they diferent than a banged-up luger? I have three artillarys. Two have been restored and one is untouched. Can't tell the difference without looking at the serial numbers but that is unique. I have others that people never give a second look at. Somehow, it all comes down to money and it's the restored guns that seem to demand the most. Price makes the market and seems to be directing the dollars.

Arizona Slim · 06-05-2013, 05:06 PM

Just my two cents but I believe it all boils down to that old adage "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". To have your Luger restored or left as is depends solely on what gives you the most satisfaction and pride of ownership. One of my Lugers has been through two wars and looks like it didn't miss a major battle but when I hold it in my hand and look at it the thought of the action it must have gone through and where it's been is overpowering and I would not change a thing, on the other hand I also have others that have been restored and I also enjoy holding and looking at them and showing them to my close friends. Through this web site I have seen some of Thor's work and I will admit my heart skips a beat when I see what he has accomplished, I would be very proud to have one of his masterpieces in my collection.
My humble advise would be to give it some serious thought and base your decision on what would give you the most satisfaction.
Lon

Levi 42 · 09-30-2013, 08:50 PM

Being old (71) and opinionated

I feel I need to add my 2 cents to this topic. I'm no stranger to collecting. Muscle Cars (70 Chevelle SS's in particular) and M1 Garands are among my varying interests and I've owned "originals" and "restored" versions of each.

As I have aged I have "kicked myself" for not driving and enjoying my SS's (5 in total) even though I enjoyed the profit when I sold them, it's hard to compare looking at a banking statement versus driving a 450 HP Big Block Chevy car!! the cars win out every time but due to health issues I had to sell them.

So what does this have to do with Lugers? Well since I've had a life long desire to own a "Luger", I never had the time or knowledge to understand the variables of this fine firearm. But I decided whatever I buy, I will shoot and enjoy. If you look at my posting "how do you turn this into THIS" you will see a Luger with a very undesirable (to me) finish that I can now feel good about shooting.

I have nothing but respect for "hard core collectors" because I was one, so don't take me wrong. I just, personally, wish I would have used my collections for more enjoyment with it's intended purpose, rather then keeping them as "Garage or Safe Queens"

alvin · 09-30-2013, 09:11 PM

Many collectors have dozens of guns of same type. When the volume is going up, naturally there is some preference. If have 2 or 3 instances, it really does not matter they are reblue or not, as long as acquiring price is OK. But it may sound weird hearing, "I have 65 Lugers (or other C&R) in collection, all of them are restored. That's my requirement, I only collect restored". I met a collector only collect recent import, but I have not seen collectors accumulating restored. World is big though, maybe there are some. Even for shooting, not so many instances are needed.

mrerick · 09-30-2013, 10:17 PM

I have matched original Lugers; mismatched original Shooter grade Lugers; refinished Lugers and one all matching reasonably rare restored Luger.

Each represents a variation that I wanted in my collection, and was acquired at a price I could afford at the time.

I paid about 60% above my original investment into my restored Luger to do the restoration. While I doubt I will get that money back for some time, I'm not planning on selling it, and these things about the Luger's value are true:

- I restored a Luger that had been improperly refinished in the past
- The high quality restoration is as close as it will ever get again to it's factory state
- It makes me happy

I imagine that you should plan on paying the cost of a typical shooter plus Ted's current restoration fee for one of his restored pistols.

Marc

04-20-2013, 04:52 PM	#1
uscavman User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Restoration value? How much does a restored Luger by Ted change the value of it if it was unrestored. I know I may be vague but have the opportunity to purchase a restored luger. Would it be better to buy an unrestored one value wise. Is it shooter grade now and not collectors grade. For example is an all matching 1916 DWM fully restored by Ted worth more or less than an all matching with say 50% finish. Just wanting to get the best investment for my money. Thanks

04-20-2013, 07:05 PM	#2
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,655 Thanks: 3,212 Thanked 2,619 Times in 971 Posts	I guess that somewhat depends on the collector. Seems that more people now want new looking versus history. To me a restored luger is in deed a shooter grade. Maybe some exceptions on very rare guns. To me a restored luger is worth less than a matched gun at 50%. A restored luger has lost all of it's history and is in the category of any new handgun. If you want one restored Ted is the one to do it. I am sure we will get a lot of varied comments. That's part of the fun. This is only one old time collectors biased opinion. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

04-22-2013, 10:18 AM	#3
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	IMHO, It all depends on what you are starting with. I wouldn't consider the cost of restoring a luger unless it was all matching with an exc bore and something unusual. I agree with the above, that restoring a matching, 50% finish 1916 military would not enhanse it value. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

05-18-2013, 10:43 PM	#5
marshombre User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: W Central FL Posts: 98 Thanks: 13 Thanked 20 Times in 11 Posts	Seems to me to be entirely subjective. I have two Lugers restored by Thor and I'm sure that when and if I part with them, I won't break even on the money I have invested. No problem, I had them restored to their former glory to own a pre-war DWM and Erfurt in pristine condition. Sometimes money ain't everything. MR __________________ Tempus edax rerum

05-18-2013, 10:50 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	I prefer them 'natural' but if one is in horrible shape, missing finish, etc. Then restoring to like new, hey, why not? __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

05-01-2013, 07:32 AM	#4
uscavman User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OK that is what I was thinking as well. Thanks.

05-19-2013, 09:42 AM	#7
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	I agree 100% with Wlyon

06-05-2013, 03:14 PM	#9
Lewis Fifer User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NC Posts: 37 Thanks: 16 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	In regard to restoration, we had an antique car show here in Hendersonville and large crowds l ooking at the restored old cars. The cars were restored to prefection and require many times their original cost. How are they diferent than a banged-up luger? I have three artillarys. Two have been restored and one is untouched. Can't tell the difference without looking at the serial numbers but that is unique. I have others that people never give a second look at. Somehow, it all comes down to money and it's the restored guns that seem to demand the most. Price makes the market and seems to be directing the dollars.

06-05-2013, 05:06 PM	#10
Arizona Slim Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 706 Thanks: 1,026 Thanked 409 Times in 225 Posts	Just my two cents but I believe it all boils down to that old adage "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". To have your Luger restored or left as is depends solely on what gives you the most satisfaction and pride of ownership. One of my Lugers has been through two wars and looks like it didn't miss a major battle but when I hold it in my hand and look at it the thought of the action it must have gone through and where it's been is overpowering and I would not change a thing, on the other hand I also have others that have been restored and I also enjoy holding and looking at them and showing them to my close friends. Through this web site I have seen some of Thor's work and I will admit my heart skips a beat when I see what he has accomplished, I would be very proud to have one of his masterpieces in my collection. My humble advise would be to give it some serious thought and base your decision on what would give you the most satisfaction. Lon

09-30-2013, 08:50 PM	#11
Levi 42 User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Western PA Posts: 49 Thanks: 4 Thanked 24 Times in 8 Posts	Being old (71) and opinionated I feel I need to add my 2 cents to this topic. I'm no stranger to collecting. Muscle Cars (70 Chevelle SS's in particular) and M1 Garands are among my varying interests and I've owned "originals" and "restored" versions of each. As I have aged I have "kicked myself" for not driving and enjoying my SS's (5 in total) even though I enjoyed the profit when I sold them, it's hard to compare looking at a banking statement versus driving a 450 HP Big Block Chevy car!! the cars win out every time but due to health issues I had to sell them. So what does this have to do with Lugers? Well since I've had a life long desire to own a "Luger", I never had the time or knowledge to understand the variables of this fine firearm. But I decided whatever I buy, I will shoot and enjoy. If you look at my posting "how do you turn this into THIS" you will see a Luger with a very undesirable (to me) finish that I can now feel good about shooting. I have nothing but respect for "hard core collectors" because I was one, so don't take me wrong. I just, personally, wish I would have used my collections for more enjoyment with it's intended purpose, rather then keeping them as "Garage or Safe Queens"

09-30-2013, 09:11 PM	#12
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Many collectors have dozens of guns of same type. When the volume is going up, naturally there is some preference. If have 2 or 3 instances, it really does not matter they are reblue or not, as long as acquiring price is OK. But it may sound weird hearing, "I have 65 Lugers (or other C&R) in collection, all of them are restored. That's my requirement, I only collect restored". I met a collector only collect recent import, but I have not seen collectors accumulating restored. World is big though, maybe there are some. Even for shooting, not so many instances are needed.

09-30-2013, 10:17 PM	#13
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	I have matched original Lugers; mismatched original Shooter grade Lugers; refinished Lugers and one all matching reasonably rare restored Luger. Each represents a variation that I wanted in my collection, and was acquired at a price I could afford at the time. I paid about 60% above my original investment into my restored Luger to do the restoration. While I doubt I will get that money back for some time, I'm not planning on selling it, and these things about the Luger's value are true: - I restored a Luger that had been improperly refinished in the past - The high quality restoration is as close as it will ever get again to it's factory state - It makes me happy I imagine that you should plan on paying the cost of a typical shooter plus Ted's current restoration fee for one of his restored pistols. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.