Red color on 1940 Luger

Tom Porter · 02-26-2004, 04:01 PM

I have a very nice 1940 DWM (9MM) with a red slide. The Luger has not been refinished or touched in any way. Can any one tell me about this strange color???
Thanks
Tom
tomporter@usa.net

Herb · 02-26-2004, 04:19 PM

Tom, my guess is that it is a blueing malfunction, the color is probably what is commonly called 'plum'. I have a 1939/42 Luger that has a grey reciever. If you can, post a picture of it.

Edward Tinker · 02-26-2004, 04:25 PM

I have seen this on a couple of P38's and a PPK, as Herb said, it is called plum color, I am sure that there was a glitch somewhere and it made it through the system.

Ed

John Sabato · 02-26-2004, 04:45 PM

This color (in my experience) results from having your bluing solution the wrong temperature or incorrectly mixed. Some find it attractive, but to me it is a glitch. On the other hand, I think it is probably just as durable as the blue finish and that is why it was allowed to be issued without repeating the bluing process... (just speculation about the conditions for issue, of course)

I think if you do an individual forum search for the word "plum" you may find some photos have been posted of guns with this condition.

Here is the URL for an example in Doug G.'s excellent Luger collection that is on permanent display in our Member Gallery:

http://gallery.rennlist.com/lugergallery/albun89

Johnny C. Kitchens · 02-26-2004, 09:56 PM

Was DWM still making Lugers in 1940???

Edward Tinker · 02-27-2004, 12:00 AM

Johnny, forest for the trees???

Duhhh, as far as I know, Mauser might have had some DWM parts still, but if it is marked DWM, I would feel there was something wrong there...

Ed

John Sabato · 02-27-2004, 11:41 AM

The short answer is NO. The toggle has been replaced on your Luger. By 1940, Mauser had been producing either wartime coded toggles or commercial guns bore the Mauser banner logo.

02-26-2004, 04:01 PM	#1
Tom Porter User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Ga. Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Red color on 1940 Luger I have a very nice 1940 DWM (9MM) with a red slide. The Luger has not been refinished or touched in any way. Can any one tell me about this strange color??? Thanks Tom tomporter@usa.net

02-26-2004, 04:19 PM	#2
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Tom, my guess is that it is a blueing malfunction, the color is probably what is commonly called 'plum'. I have a 1939/42 Luger that has a grey reciever. If you can, post a picture of it. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

02-26-2004, 04:25 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	I have seen this on a couple of P38's and a PPK, as Herb said, it is called plum color, I am sure that there was a glitch somewhere and it made it through the system. 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

02-26-2004, 04:45 PM	#4
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 color (in my experience) results from having your bluing solution the wrong temperature or incorrectly mixed. Some find it attractive, but to me it is a glitch. On the other hand, I think it is probably just as durable as the blue finish and that is why it was allowed to be issued without repeating the bluing process... (just speculation about the conditions for issue, of course) I think if you do an individual forum search for the word "plum" you may find some photos have been posted of guns with this condition. Here is the URL for an example in Doug G.'s excellent Luger collection that is on permanent display in our Member Gallery: http://gallery.rennlist.com/lugergallery/albun89 __________________ 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..."*

02-26-2004, 09:56 PM	#5
Johnny C. Kitchens User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 518 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	Was DWM still making Lugers in 1940??? __________________ Johnny C. Kitchens

02-27-2004, 12:00 AM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	Johnny, forest for the trees??? Duhhh, as far as I know, Mauser might have had some DWM parts still, but if it is marked DWM, I would feel there was something wrong there... 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

02-27-2004, 11:41 AM	#7
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	The short answer is NO. The toggle has been replaced on your Luger. By 1940, Mauser had been producing either wartime coded toggles or commercial guns bore the Mauser banner logo. __________________ 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..."*