Looking to get my Luger Restored

ww1f · 09-08-2014, 02:50 PM

I have a 1916 Erfurt Luger in 9mm. Overall it appears to be in good shape but the bore is awfully pitted throughout. There is some minor pitting on the toggle, and the bluing (which i have been told has been redone incorrectly, is fading on the metal portion of the grip, around the takedown pin and on the right side of the trigger.

My main concern, however, is the condition of the bore. I ran a full magazine through it with no issues but i am hesitant to put any more rounds through it until someone who knows what they are doing says its ok. I would really like it to look GREAT but i plan to use it as a shooter.

Does anyone know anyone that does a good, thorough, trustworthy, cost effective restoration?

LINK TO THE GUN I BOUGHT, WITH PICTURES:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=430481666

ww1f · 09-08-2014, 03:16 PM

I was also wondering if anyone could tell me a little more about the (likely) history of the gun?

John Sabato · 09-08-2014, 03:36 PM

Sorry, but the photos on Gunbroker reveal that this gun has already been heavily buffed and reblued. It really has little collector value because of the refinish... and is not a particularly rare model. It would not be a candidate for a "restoration" in my opinion. A restoration would attempt to put the gun back in the condition it was in when it left the factory. Because so much metal was buffed off, and some markings nearly obliterated by the buffer, this is simply not economically feasible. You can't easily restore the markings, square edges, and remove pits. If you want a gun in better condition, you will need to buy one that has not been refinished.

You will find that even some Lugers where the barrel looks like a sewer pipe inside will still shoot very accurately. So my advice is Enjoy it for what it is, a shooter grade gun. It should give you many hours of enjoyment.

Just my $0.02

ww1f · 09-08-2014, 03:46 PM

A shooter is basically all I am looking for, but should i consider at least getting a new barrel?

DavidJayUden · 09-08-2014, 04:02 PM

Unless you are a good pistol shooter AND the gun just will not shoot to your expectant degree of accuracy, keep your money. Figure the cost of shipping 2 ways, the barrel, the gunsmith to install it, the cost of refinishing to match, etc, etc, etc, IMHO you'd be better off saving for a collector grade gun and shooting the wheels off this one. If you tire of it you can sell it and not loose money. Restore, rebarrel, etc, and you will be hopelessly up-side-down.
dju

ww1f · 09-08-2014, 04:30 PM

Ok thank you. I think i will keep it as is then. It is pretty fun to shoot.

Does anyone know the likely history of it? I would assume it would have probably been used during the first World War and the post war period?

rhuff · 09-08-2014, 04:47 PM

I own and shoot a 1921 DWM Alphabet Luger. It has a bore like a sewer pipe, likely due to the corrosive ammo and not being cleaned properly and on time. It still shoots great, and is more accurate than I am. To attempt to restore that Luger, if you could find someone to do it, you would have far more money in the restoration than you gave for the luger. Get yourself some std. velocity ammo, and have fun with it. Shooting it will not hurt it's value at this point.

Sergio Natali · 09-09-2014, 03:01 AM

First of all welcome o this Forum, then I would say your Luger probably is not a collecible BUT it is quite a nice gun.
You can use at the range, so you can acquire some practical confidence with Luger pistols, then in the meantime without rushing you can always start looking for a good collectible.
Do no shoot modern high power cartridges in your Luger.

Safe shooting.

Sergio

09-08-2014, 02:50 PM	#1
ww1f New User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Looking to get my Luger Restored I have a 1916 Erfurt Luger in 9mm. Overall it appears to be in good shape but the bore is awfully pitted throughout. There is some minor pitting on the toggle, and the bluing (which i have been told has been redone incorrectly, is fading on the metal portion of the grip, around the takedown pin and on the right side of the trigger. My main concern, however, is the condition of the bore. I ran a full magazine through it with no issues but i am hesitant to put any more rounds through it until someone who knows what they are doing says its ok. I would really like it to look GREAT but i plan to use it as a shooter. Does anyone know anyone that does a good, thorough, trustworthy, cost effective restoration? LINK TO THE GUN I BOUGHT, WITH PICTURES: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=430481666 Last edited by ww1f; 09-08-2014 at 03:11 PM. Reason: add picture

09-08-2014, 03:36 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Sorry, but the photos on Gunbroker reveal that this gun has already been heavily buffed and reblued. It really has little collector value because of the refinish... and is not a particularly rare model. It would not be a candidate for a "restoration" in my opinion. A restoration would attempt to put the gun back in the condition it was in when it left the factory. Because so much metal was buffed off, and some markings nearly obliterated by the buffer, this is simply not economically feasible. You can't easily restore the markings, square edges, and remove pits. If you want a gun in better condition, you will need to buy one that has not been refinished. You will find that even some Lugers where the barrel looks like a sewer pipe inside will still shoot very accurately. So my advice is Enjoy it for what it is, a shooter grade gun. It should give you many hours of enjoyment. Just my $0.02 __________________ 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..."*

09-09-2014, 03:01 AM	#8
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	First of all welcome o this Forum, then I would say your Luger probably is not a collecible BUT it is quite a nice gun. You can use at the range, so you can acquire some practical confidence with Luger pistols, then in the meantime without rushing you can always start looking for a good collectible. Do no shoot modern high power cartridges in your Luger. Safe shooting. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

09-08-2014, 03:16 PM	#2
ww1f New User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I was also wondering if anyone could tell me a little more about the (likely) history of the gun?

09-08-2014, 03:46 PM	#4
ww1f New User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A shooter is basically all I am looking for, but should i consider at least getting a new barrel?

09-08-2014, 04:02 PM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Unless you are a good pistol shooter AND the gun just will not shoot to your expectant degree of accuracy, keep your money. Figure the cost of shipping 2 ways, the barrel, the gunsmith to install it, the cost of refinishing to match, etc, etc, etc, IMHO you'd be better off saving for a collector grade gun and shooting the wheels off this one. If you tire of it you can sell it and not loose money. Restore, rebarrel, etc, and you will be hopelessly up-side-down. dju

09-08-2014, 04:30 PM	#6
ww1f New User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ok thank you. I think i will keep it as is then. It is pretty fun to shoot. Does anyone know the likely history of it? I would assume it would have probably been used during the first World War and the post war period?

09-08-2014, 04:47 PM	#7
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 2,692 Thanked 959 Times in 705 Posts	I own and shoot a 1921 DWM Alphabet Luger. It has a bore like a sewer pipe, likely due to the corrosive ammo and not being cleaned properly and on time. It still shoots great, and is more accurate than I am. To attempt to restore that Luger, if you could find someone to do it, you would have far more money in the restoration than you gave for the luger. Get yourself some std. velocity ammo, and have fun with it. Shooting it will not hurt it's value at this point.