Strip nickel plating?

MAngelo · 04-17-2011, 10:40 AM

Hi all, new member and owner. I recently was given a 1940 Luger, all matching with the exception of the missing magazine (bought a MecGar). It shoots fine. It was plated after the war by the GI who brought it back. It has some pitting in it, around the trigger finger rest, and a couple of other spots; these were plated over, but not repaired, although the plating is 99%.

I am curious what would be involved in having the plating stripped and the gun restored.

Also, how did the guns get plated and the tolerances inside not get destroyed? It seems like either they'd be reduced by the plating, or some skillful gunsmithing was done.

Thanks,
Angelo

sheepherder · 04-17-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAngelo

I recently was given a 1940 Luger...

I am curious what would be involved in having the plating stripped and the gun restored.

If it was a gift, and you are contemplating 'restoring' it, then it has no intrinsic value to you...Why bother??? There are those who would pay approx the same amount as an original finish Luger for it...Sell it and buy what you would really like...

Restoring it is expensive, even without the stripping...You will easily go over the value of an original...

I think it looks pretty neat the way it is...So will others...

Ron Smith · 04-17-2011, 11:48 AM

Plating shops probably wouldn't charge much. A local shop quoted me $25 to strip a plated pistol.

However, Rich "postino" is correct. To have it "properly" refinished would be expensive.

Ron

MAngelo · 04-17-2011, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

If it was a gift, and you are contemplating 'restoring' it, then it has no intrinsic value to you...

How do you know? Maybe I want it ' 'restored' ' because it has intrinsic value to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

Why bother??? There are those who would pay approx the same amount as an original finish Luger for it...

I would like to find someone who would pay the same amount for this plated gun that an original finish Luger sells for....

====================

Thanks Ron for the info.

sheepherder · 04-17-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAngelo

How do you know? Maybe I want it ' 'restored' ' because it has intrinsic value to me.

Then you wouldn't be stripping the plating off it...

sheepherder · 04-17-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAngelo

I would like to find someone who would pay the same amount for this plated gun that an original finish Luger sells for....

You're not looking very hard...

Nickel

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=218787125 $995

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=217771063 $725

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=217295732 $820

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=217184320 $795

Chrome

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=222939098 $1150

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=221712721 $800

All completed auctions; final bids...

Buyers are out there...

And you can find 'unrestored' examples here on our site or on GB...For corresponding amounts...

MAngelo · 04-17-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

Then you wouldn't be stripping the plating off it...

Yes, I would.

<ignored>

Edward Tinker · 04-17-2011, 03:29 PM

jeez, guys, play nice this weekend....

nukem556 · 04-17-2011, 07:42 PM

anybody who would pay good money for a chrome or nickled Luger probably also has a black velvet painting of Elvis on the wall.....

sheepherder · 04-17-2011, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukem556

anybody who would pay good money for a chrome or nickled Luger probably also has a black velvet painting of Elvis on the wall.....

They're no worse than a Mitchell SS Luger...

...and I'm looking for a velvet "Elvis the Matador" wall throw, 4' x 6' or thereabouts, if you see one...

MAngelo · 04-17-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

They're no worse than a Mitchell SS Luger...

...and I'm looking for a velvet "Elvis the Matador" wall throw, 4' x 6' or thereabouts, if you see one...

You're the one that said they were worth so much.

Ron Wood · 04-17-2011, 09:48 PM

OK, who told you about my Elvis painting?

sheepherder · 04-17-2011, 10:46 PM

There was a time in my life when I had several of my handguns plated...A Colt Gold Cup; a S&W 357 magnum; a Browning 1910 380...If you hold a nickel plated pistol next to a chromed one, the nickel will look 'yellower'...I liked that look...Not so much the chrome...

Someone here had a nickeled Luger in the discussion Forum, with pics...For about 15 seconds, I contemplated buying one...

...But like Michael, I decided I had walked that road already...

Edward Tinker · 04-18-2011, 07:22 AM

Narrow minded folks ain't we

I have owned many chrome and nickle guns, mostly chromed by the GI I presume after the war.

I own a nickle 1936 and would prefer it to being un-chromed or nickled, but I am pretty sure it is nickle and I also own a chromed Mauser 1910 with bring back papers.

Ed

sheepherder · 04-18-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Narrow minded folks ain't we

Luger collectors = narrow minded???

...And plated Lugers??? A niche market inside a niche market...

It is nice to see that the plated Lugers are still in demand...

I purposely left out the plated Artillery Luger, as the high price ($3200) was way out of line...but it sure is pretty...

04-17-2011, 10:40 AM	#1
MAngelo User Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Strip nickel plating? Hi all, new member and owner. I recently was given a 1940 Luger, all matching with the exception of the missing magazine (bought a MecGar). It shoots fine. It was plated after the war by the GI who brought it back. It has some pitting in it, around the trigger finger rest, and a couple of other spots; these were plated over, but not repaired, although the plating is 99%. I am curious what would be involved in having the plating stripped and the gun restored. Also, how did the guns get plated and the tolerances inside not get destroyed? It seems like either they'd be reduced by the plating, or some skillful gunsmithing was done. Thanks, Angelo Last edited by MAngelo; 04-17-2011 at 10:41 AM. Reason: added photos

04-17-2011, 11:48 AM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Plating shops probably wouldn't charge much. A local shop quoted me $25 to strip a plated pistol. However, Rich "postino" is correct. To have it "properly" refinished would be expensive. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-17-2011, 03:29 PM	#8
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	jeez, guys, play nice this weekend.... __________________ 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

04-17-2011, 09:48 PM	#12
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: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	OK, who told you about my Elvis painting? __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-17-2011, 10:46 PM	#13
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	There was a time in my life when I had several of my handguns plated...A Colt Gold Cup; a S&W 357 magnum; a Browning 1910 380...If you hold a nickel plated pistol next to a chromed one, the nickel will look 'yellower'...I liked that look...Not so much the chrome... Someone here had a nickeled Luger in the discussion Forum, with pics...For about 15 seconds, I contemplated buying one... ...But like Michael, I decided I had walked that road already... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

04-17-2011, 07:42 PM	#9
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	anybody who would pay good money for a chrome or nickled Luger probably also has a black velvet painting of Elvis on the wall.....

04-18-2011, 07:22 AM	#14
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	Narrow minded folks ain't we I have owned many chrome and nickle guns, mostly chromed by the GI I presume after the war. I own a nickle 1936 and would prefer it to being un-chromed or nickled, but I am pretty sure it is nickle and I also own a chromed Mauser 1910 with bring back papers. 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