To reblue or not to reblue

colcolombo · 07-28-2003, 05:03 AM

Hi Guys,
I just recently signed on to the forum and I am somewhat Luger ignorant. I am 68 YOA and a retired State Police criminal investigator. I have always wanted a Luger and I recently bought one. Probably paid a little more than I should. Bought a 1938 S/42 with all matching numbers except the magazine of course. The pistol has no pitting and has most of the blue. It is mechanically as tight as a new one and doesn't appear to have been shot much. I paid $1150 for it. I am contemplating finding a competent rebluer and getting a first class blue job and try to find some new walnut grips and a magazine that does not have the shiny aluminum looking tip.
I know this would devalue the gun but it is a great shooter and I have a concealed carry permit and was thinking about doing just that. Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated. What would the pistol be worth if I pulled this off?
Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Ron Wood · 07-28-2003, 05:21 AM

A lot less than $1150. You will be reducing a collectors item to a common shooter worth maybe $500-$600. Also, Lugers are wonderful guns and fun to shoot, but not necessarily the ideal choice for concealed carry for self defense.

Doubs · 07-28-2003, 05:24 AM

I feel confident that everyone here will urge you to NOT have the pistol re-blued or tinkered with in any manner. You'll ultimately end up with $1400 - $1500 or more in a pistol that won't bring more than $500 or $600. That's quite a loss in value. You can pick up a "shooter" Luger that will perform just as well for $600 and not ruin a collector piece.

The Luger is a fine pistol and quite accurate but, IMO, is NOT a pistol I'd carry for self defense. I don't consider it safe to carry with a loaded chamber and the time lost working the action to arm it may be critical. Just my opinion but when I take a pistol with me - I'm licensed - it's a Makarov or a .45 auto of the 1911 type.

If you cannot be convinced to leave your Luger as-is, no one will do a better job of refinishing it than a gentleman who posts here under the name "Thor". His work is truly beautiful.

colcolombo · 07-28-2003, 05:25 AM

Thanks, Ron for your opinion. I will definitely take you advice into consideration. I have lots to learn.

Joe Hill
Kaintucky

colcolombo · 07-28-2003, 05:29 AM

Doubs,
Thanks to you too for your opinion. I have been carrying a Browning HiPower for years. It's a fine pistol but I don't like the single action feature of it. In the summer, I slip my PPK/S in my hip pocket.
Thanks again for your input.

Joe

Edward Tinker · 07-28-2003, 06:17 AM

Hello Joe,

I agree with what everyone has said, it is hard to know if you paid to much for it, but hey, the money is gone, but you have a LUGER!

The aluminum magazines are the issued magazine after 1934 for Nazi era guns, and if you like the wood bottom ones, there are guys on the forum that hand make them, they look great. In addition, if you are going to continue to shoot this Luger, then replacing the original firing pin and grips is a good idea, it preserves items that are possible to break and you can put on some nice new ones.

Welcome to the forum Joe,

Ed
(retired US Army MP and still FOP)

colcolombo · 07-28-2003, 06:44 AM

Ed

Thanks for your timely advice and information on firing it. It sure helps to have someone that knows more than I do.

Thanks to all. I'm going to bed. Good night

Joe

Edward Tinker · 07-28-2003, 11:46 PM

Joe, knowledge is power and I make sure I have my books handy!

Ed

colcolombo · 07-30-2003, 05:46 AM

Ed Tinker,

I'm sure there are hundreds of books written on the Lugers. I have Michael Reese's "Luger Tips" (revised edition) and John Walter's "The Luger Story". I tried to buy a book on Amazon by Ralph Shattuck but haven't had any luck so far. Would appreciate any suggestions. Is there any one book that is considered the "bible" of Lugers?

Many thanks,

Joe Hill

Edward Tinker · 07-30-2003, 06:59 AM

Jan Still's books are the newest and I think the best for "each" era.

There are;

Imperial Lugers
Weimar Lugers
Third Reich Lugers and
Axis Lugers

Obviously getting one geared towards what you are interested in is important. I know that Jan Still, still has copies of his 3rd Reich Lugers, and also saw one on e-bay today for the same price.

Ed

colcolombo · 07-30-2003, 07:46 PM

Ed,

Thanks for your response. I searched Amazon and found the Third Reich book for $159.00. Then I took a look at the eBay site and found the book you referred to. It was offered by "fstill", a new eBayer with 0 feedback. I thought this was a coincidence that he had the same name so I went to Bellsouth People Find and came up with Jan Still in Douglas, Alaska. Apparently "fstill" is one of Jan Still's family or something. Anyway, I placed a bid on the book as no one else has bid but auction doesn't end until August 4 so who knows where it will go by then.

Regards,

Joe

John Sabato · 07-30-2003, 08:45 PM

Jan's wife is named Frances... and likely to be the 'fstill' selling his books on eBay...

lugerholsterrepair · 07-31-2003, 12:19 AM

colcolombo , Go to Jan Stills site and you can order everything but Weimar Pistols for $69.00 each including shipping. See the link below...You might have to sign onto the site to do this I don't know if you have to to order books. Jerry Burney
http://www.armscenter.com/forums/pistols/

Ron Wood · 07-31-2003, 12:41 AM

When you go to the "http://www.armscenter.com/forums/pistols/" link that Jerry provided, you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to find "Jan C Still's Book Listings And Ordering Information". That is the link to order books. You don't have to log in to use the order link.

07-28-2003, 05:03 AM	#1
colcolombo User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	To reblue or not to reblue Hi Guys, I just recently signed on to the forum and I am somewhat Luger ignorant. I am 68 YOA and a retired State Police criminal investigator. I have always wanted a Luger and I recently bought one. Probably paid a little more than I should. Bought a 1938 S/42 with all matching numbers except the magazine of course. The pistol has no pitting and has most of the blue. It is mechanically as tight as a new one and doesn't appear to have been shot much. I paid $1150 for it. I am contemplating finding a competent rebluer and getting a first class blue job and try to find some new walnut grips and a magazine that does not have the shiny aluminum looking tip. I know this would devalue the gun but it is a great shooter and I have a concealed carry permit and was thinking about doing just that. Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated. What would the pistol be worth if I pulled this off? Thanks for any help or suggestions.

07-28-2003, 05:21 AM	#2
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: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	A lot less than $1150. You will be reducing a collectors item to a common shooter worth maybe $500-$600. Also, Lugers are wonderful guns and fun to shoot, but not necessarily the ideal choice for concealed carry for self defense. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

07-28-2003, 06:17 AM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Hello Joe, I agree with what everyone has said, it is hard to know if you paid to much for it, but hey, the money is gone, but you have a LUGER! The aluminum magazines are the issued magazine after 1934 for Nazi era guns, and if you like the wood bottom ones, there are guys on the forum that hand make them, they look great. In addition, if you are going to continue to shoot this Luger, then replacing the original firing pin and grips is a good idea, it preserves items that are possible to break and you can put on some nice new ones. Welcome to the forum Joe, Ed (retired US Army MP and still FOP) __________________ 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

07-28-2003, 11:46 PM	#8
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Joe, knowledge is power and I make sure I have my books handy! Ed __________________ 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

07-30-2003, 06:59 AM	#10
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Jan Still's books are the newest and I think the best for "each" era. There are; Imperial Lugers Weimar Lugers Third Reich Lugers and Axis Lugers Obviously getting one geared towards what you are interested in is important. I know that Jan Still, still has copies of his 3rd Reich Lugers, and also saw one on e-bay today for the same price. Ed __________________ 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

07-28-2003, 05:24 AM	#3
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 772 Thanked 1,617 Times in 526 Posts	I feel confident that everyone here will urge you to NOT have the pistol re-blued or tinkered with in any manner. You'll ultimately end up with $1400 - $1500 or more in a pistol that won't bring more than $500 or $600. That's quite a loss in value. You can pick up a "shooter" Luger that will perform just as well for $600 and not ruin a collector piece. The Luger is a fine pistol and quite accurate but, IMO, is NOT a pistol I'd carry for self defense. I don't consider it safe to carry with a loaded chamber and the time lost working the action to arm it may be critical. Just my opinion but when I take a pistol with me - I'm licensed - it's a Makarov or a .45 auto of the 1911 type. If you cannot be convinced to leave your Luger as-is, no one will do a better job of refinishing it than a gentleman who posts here under the name "Thor". His work is truly beautiful.

07-28-2003, 05:25 AM	#4
colcolombo User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, Ron for your opinion. I will definitely take you advice into consideration. I have lots to learn. Joe Hill Kaintucky

07-28-2003, 05:29 AM	#5
colcolombo User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Doubs, Thanks to you too for your opinion. I have been carrying a Browning HiPower for years. It's a fine pistol but I don't like the single action feature of it. In the summer, I slip my PPK/S in my hip pocket. Thanks again for your input. Joe

07-28-2003, 06:44 AM	#7
colcolombo User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed Thanks for your timely advice and information on firing it. It sure helps to have someone that knows more than I do. Thanks to all. I'm going to bed. Good night Joe

07-30-2003, 05:46 AM	#9
colcolombo User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed Tinker, I'm sure there are hundreds of books written on the Lugers. I have Michael Reese's "Luger Tips" (revised edition) and John Walter's "The Luger Story". I tried to buy a book on Amazon by Ralph Shattuck but haven't had any luck so far. Would appreciate any suggestions. Is there any one book that is considered the "bible" of Lugers? Many thanks, Joe Hill

07-30-2003, 07:46 PM	#11
colcolombo User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed, Thanks for your response. I searched Amazon and found the Third Reich book for $159.00. Then I took a look at the eBay site and found the book you referred to. It was offered by "fstill", a new eBayer with 0 feedback. I thought this was a coincidence that he had the same name so I went to Bellsouth People Find and came up with Jan Still in Douglas, Alaska. Apparently "fstill" is one of Jan Still's family or something. Anyway, I placed a bid on the book as no one else has bid but auction doesn't end until August 4 so who knows where it will go by then. Regards, Joe

07-30-2003, 08:45 PM	#12
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	Jan's wife is named Frances... and likely to be the 'fstill' selling his books on eBay... __________________ 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..."*

07-31-2003, 12:19 AM	#13
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,865 Thanked 3,105 Times in 1,429 Posts	colcolombo , Go to Jan Stills site and you can order everything but Weimar Pistols for $69.00 each including shipping. See the link below...You might have to sign onto the site to do this I don't know if you have to to order books. Jerry Burney http://www.armscenter.com/forums/pistols/ __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

07-31-2003, 12:41 AM	#14
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: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	When you go to the "http://www.armscenter.com/forums/pistols/" link that Jerry provided, you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to find "Jan C Still's Book Listings And Ordering Information". That is the link to order books. You don't have to log in to use the order link. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction