Original or reblued?

Peteyboy · 09-09-2023, 05:39 PM

I have read the sticky of original or re-blued and still wonder what everyone thinks, buy an original with all its wear or a re-blued one that is much prettier. I have always believed that restoring or re-bluing affected the collectability of the piece, whether its a car or Luger. If it is between the two at the same price point, I would buy the untouched original, that's just me.

What would you do??

Mac Cat · 09-09-2023, 05:56 PM

I think each collector sets their own standards.

It's alway a good topic to discuss, but I expect that every collector will have their own opinion.

Poorly refinished guns are kind of sad looking.
Replacing a barrel is common, but cold bluing spots ruins a gun.
DDR/VOPO guns can be a mess or they can be lovely (for example the Thalmann's)

Personally, I don't have any problem with a professional restored gun.
I have one that Gail Morgan restored and he was meticulous in his work.

It's also a budget issue for most small time collectors, like me.

Peteyboy · 09-09-2023, 08:43 PM

Vlim nailed it for me. "Nobody should reblue Lugers."

Kiwi · 09-10-2023, 10:14 AM

I am absolutely against absolutes and never is so final
If a Luger had the bluing worn off from holster wear and then rusted
Does one attempt to restore or just shrug - this 100 year old piece of fine machinery is irretrievably ruined.
Look at the pictures of some of the restorations that Ted did
I think quality restoration for damaged pieces is a good thing

Does that make them original - no it makes them restored, but I am OK with that
Is original more valuable than restored - absolutely
Is restored more valuable than a sad mess - I think yes

My opinion is different from yours Peteyboy, but it would be a boring World if we all thought the same.

mrerick · 09-10-2023, 11:04 AM

Collectors most highy value Lugers as close to their original factory state as possible.

i have only done restoration on a rare Simson Luger that had been improperly refinished.

But many people like firearms to look nice, in spite of having gone through one or two wars as service weapons. When you own it, you can do what you want with it. Luger collectors will devalue a firearm with replaced parts (even with matched numbers) and destruction of the original finish.

gunbugs · 09-10-2023, 04:32 PM

I'm generally of the opinion that 10% original finish is better than a 100% reblue. But that's just me.

Bill_in_VA · 09-11-2023, 10:04 AM

It’s only original once.

reiver · 09-11-2023, 12:49 PM

It is your pistol, what do you prefer?

I tend toward the shooting side of things not the 'collecting'...if I can't shoot it, I don't have it, no welfare guns, they all work.

I am also not saving things for the next generation but appreciate those that do...so, if I want to blue something I'll blue it.

Peteyboy · 09-12-2023, 09:56 AM

I appreciate sharing all your points of view. That said, I decided to purchase an all original, vet bring back 1939 42. The price point was about the same as a re-blued one. It's not a safe queen but it has a lot character, mostly holster time, being a 84 year old pistol and survived the war. As Bill said it is only original once. I will most likely keep it that way.

09-09-2023, 05:39 PM	#1
Peteyboy User Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 22 Thanks: 9 Thanked 28 Times in 7 Posts	Original or reblued? I have read the sticky of original or re-blued and still wonder what everyone thinks, buy an original with all its wear or a re-blued one that is much prettier. I have always believed that restoring or re-bluing affected the collectability of the piece, whether its a car or Luger. If it is between the two at the same price point, I would buy the untouched original, that's just me. What would you do??

09-10-2023, 11:04 AM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Collectors most highy value Lugers as close to their original factory state as possible. i have only done restoration on a rare Simson Luger that had been improperly refinished. But many people like firearms to look nice, in spite of having gone through one or two wars as service weapons. When you own it, you can do what you want with it. Luger collectors will devalue a firearm with replaced parts (even with matched numbers) and destruction of the original finish. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-11-2023, 10:04 AM	#7
Bill_in_VA User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 373 Thanks: 768 Thanked 554 Times in 198 Posts	It’s only original once. __________________ John 8:32 reive (riːv) vb (Military) (intr) dialect Scot and Northern English to go on a plundering raid [variant of reave] ˈreiver n e.g., " Some view the Border Reivers as loveable rogues."

09-12-2023, 09:56 AM	#9
Peteyboy User Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 22 Thanks: 9 Thanked 28 Times in 7 Posts	I appreciate sharing all your points of view. That said, I decided to purchase an all original, vet bring back 1939 42. The price point was about the same as a re-blued one. It's not a safe queen but it has a lot character, mostly holster time, being a 84 year old pistol and survived the war. As Bill said it is only original once. I will most likely keep it that way. Attached Thumbnails

09-09-2023, 05:56 PM	#2
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 725 Thanks: 2,090 Thanked 606 Times in 327 Posts	I think each collector sets their own standards. It's alway a good topic to discuss, but I expect that every collector will have their own opinion. Poorly refinished guns are kind of sad looking. Replacing a barrel is common, but cold bluing spots ruins a gun. DDR/VOPO guns can be a mess or they can be lovely (for example the Thalmann's) Personally, I don't have any problem with a professional restored gun. I have one that Gail Morgan restored and he was meticulous in his work. It's also a budget issue for most small time collectors, like me.

09-09-2023, 08:43 PM	#3
Peteyboy User Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 22 Thanks: 9 Thanked 28 Times in 7 Posts	Vlim nailed it for me. "Nobody should reblue Lugers."

09-10-2023, 10:14 AM	#4
Kiwi User Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Wrong side of the Delaware river Posts: 305 Thanks: 215 Thanked 434 Times in 171 Posts	I am absolutely against absolutes and never is so final If a Luger had the bluing worn off from holster wear and then rusted Does one attempt to restore or just shrug - this 100 year old piece of fine machinery is irretrievably ruined. Look at the pictures of some of the restorations that Ted did I think quality restoration for damaged pieces is a good thing Does that make them original - no it makes them restored, but I am OK with that Is original more valuable than restored - absolutely Is restored more valuable than a sad mess - I think yes My opinion is different from yours Peteyboy, but it would be a boring World if we all thought the same.

09-10-2023, 04:32 PM	#6
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 658 Thanks: 365 Thanked 1,175 Times in 393 Posts	I'm generally of the opinion that 10% original finish is better than a 100% reblue. But that's just me.

09-11-2023, 12:49 PM	#8
reiver User Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 132 Thanks: 81 Thanked 149 Times in 63 Posts	It is your pistol, what do you prefer? I tend toward the shooting side of things not the 'collecting'...if I can't shoot it, I don't have it, no welfare guns, they all work. I am also not saving things for the next generation but appreciate those that do...so, if I want to blue something I'll blue it.