Restore a parkerized luger?

dm · 03-24-2001, 05:40 PM

Spotted a matched metal luger that has, at some time, been

parkerized! The parkerizing is smooth and under the parkerizing the metal was not buffed prior to refinishing.

Can parkerizing be easily removed? Does it etch the surface of the metal to parkerize? Can this guy be restored? Thanks for any opinions.

Dave

Johnny Peppers · 03-24-2001, 08:10 PM

Most metal surfaces that are to be Parkerized are either sand blasted of bead blasted prior to the phosphate finish being applied. Look at the surface with a magnifying glass to see if it shows the slightly rough texture of sand/bead blasting.

dm · 03-24-2001, 09:02 PM

A close look suggest a rather smooth surface for a park-job. Despite that, it may have some light roughness. It is not so rought that the surface could not be redone with smooth texture. That said, can the parkerizing be easily removed or is the procedure difficult and damaging to the metal surface?

dave

BILL · 03-24-2001, 10:37 PM

Just a quick note, I have seen some Lugers with an authentic phosphate finishing process. It would be a shame to 'restore' a blue finish to an original phosphate finish.

Ted · 03-24-2001, 11:07 PM

That is cool as heck! I have never heard of it, but I have not been into authentic Lugers but for a short time! I would love to see pictures of it! Ted

03-24-2001, 11:21 PM

If I remember my reading properly, some "contract" lugers were supplied with a parkerized finish from the factory.

Johnny Peppers · 03-24-2001, 11:22 PM

I would be just as anxious as Ted to know what this Luger was and when was it made.

03-24-2001, 11:45 PM

If it is a byf 42 model in the m serial number range it could be a parkerized Portuguese model. They ran a lot of the Lugers through a rebuild program. I also have a 42 1939 model which has a pakerized type finish which was my first Luger purchase. It has a deep dark blackish color to it. We need to know the markings on the Luger.

dm · 03-25-2001, 03:15 AM

This particular luger is a 1936 date S/42 common military with familiar military inspection stamps. The s/n is 3032o

It was interesting in that the markings were not buffed but sharp as new despite the gun being parked. The bore was well worn but all parts were original and the straw parts were still straw. The mag as gone and thegrips well-worn and cracked (I did not check to see if the grips were orign s/n but alol metal parts were original including the fire blue parts which were still fire blue. The toggle pin even had the s/n on it. All in all an unusual parkerized luger but not the only one in existence. Several were parked over the years. This one was green parkerized. I have seen grey phosphate on Finn reworked M23's. Otherwise I do not know of any parkerized/phosphated lugers. That is, I did not think any were done original in phosphate/parkerizing.

Does the metal surface get roughed up by parkerizing?

Dave

BILL · 03-25-2001, 01:25 PM

This is a Portugese byf Luger with a phosphate finish.

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/portugesebyf42.jpg

BILL · 03-25-2001, 01:32 PM

BILL · 03-25-2001, 01:33 PM

Ted · 03-25-2001, 02:33 PM

Here is your excellent picture, really a cool Luger and a GREAT picture! Ted

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/parkLuger.jpg

Ted · 03-25-2001, 02:38 PM

Man......I would leave it as is, is it a byf?

03-25-2001, 08:58 PM

Bill,

I was curious by you post stating that some Lugers had an authenic phosphate or parkerized finishes. I am aware of the Potuguese re-finishes and the Finnish re-builds using a blackish phosphate finnish. I guess what I am asking is, are you aware of a factory phosphate finish used on Lugers and if not what do mean by authenic? By the way, I remember looking at a nice looking Mauser P.08 in the early 70's, All match, grey/green parkerized finish 99%, Blk plastic grips and a blued toggle (original finish I suppose). I cain't remember the exact code and date but I believe it was 1940 thru 42 and therefore either a byf or 42 code. I do remember it was $140 and I anguished over the purchase until I concluded it had to be a post-war refinish. In the 30 years since I have yet to run accross any information/knowledge that would convince me otherwise. Thanks, BCC

03-25-2001, 09:16 PM

Bill have a question on the Mags that came with your Portugese Luger are they numbered to the Gun,or un numbered.

I purchased a Portuguese from FGS several years ago and it came with a blank bottom aluminum mag. I have had people tell me that the Mags should be Plastic etc. very confusing. However, if that is your rig posted by Ted it is really great. Congradulations.

03-25-2001, 09:18 PM

Should have put this in first reply. What proofs does the Loading tool have?

BILL · 03-26-2001, 12:47 AM

Unfortunately I can't quote the reference books as I am not positive where I first saw it. I have read that when the P-38 was adopted during WWII the Mauser manufacturing firm was too busy or undermanned to finish all of a contract of Lugers to the Portugese military. Who actually did the Parkerizing (and I believe that it was referred to in the article as a 'Phosphate-type' finish) is unclear. It may have been the Mauser factory or subcontracted in Portugal but the pistols were issued with a Parkerized finish. I can't say if it was done at the factory or elsewhere but it is authentic.

03-26-2001, 11:07 AM

Johnny Peppers · 03-26-2001, 01:10 PM

Parkerize has come to be synonymous with a phosphate finish much like "Xerox machine" and "Skil saw" came to be used with all copy machines and electric hand saws. Parkerize was a registered trade name of the Parker Rustproof Company for their phosphate finish. It appears that the wartime P38's were not first sandblasted before the phosphate finish was applied. The US military used the phosphate over a sandblasted finish to help the phosphate adhere better.

03-24-2001, 05:40 PM	#1
dm User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Restore a parkerized luger? Spotted a matched metal luger that has, at some time, been parkerized! The parkerizing is smooth and under the parkerizing the metal was not buffed prior to refinishing. Can parkerizing be easily removed? Does it etch the surface of the metal to parkerize? Can this guy be restored? Thanks for any opinions. Dave

03-24-2001, 08:10 PM	#2
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Restore a parkerized luger? Most metal surfaces that are to be Parkerized are either sand blasted of bead blasted prior to the phosphate finish being applied. Look at the surface with a magnifying glass to see if it shows the slightly rough texture of sand/bead blasting.

03-24-2001, 09:02 PM	#3
dm User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Restore a parkerized luger? A close look suggest a rather smooth surface for a park-job. Despite that, it may have some light roughness. It is not so rought that the surface could not be redone with smooth texture. That said, can the parkerizing be easily removed or is the procedure difficult and damaging to the metal surface? dave

03-24-2001, 10:37 PM	#4
BILL User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 826 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Restore a parkerized luger? Just a quick note, I have seen some Lugers with an authentic phosphate finishing process. It would be a shame to 'restore' a blue finish to an original phosphate finish.

03-24-2001, 11:07 PM	#5
Ted User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: SC Posts: 726 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Restore a parkerized luger? That is cool as heck! I have never heard of it, but I have not been into authentic Lugers but for a short time! I would love to see pictures of it! Ted

03-24-2001, 11:21 PM	#6
Jim Foster Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Restore a parkerized luger? If I remember my reading properly, some "contract" lugers were supplied with a parkerized finish from the factory.

03-24-2001, 11:22 PM	#7
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Restore a parkerized luger? I would be just as anxious as Ted to know what this Luger was and when was it made.

03-24-2001, 11:45 PM	#8
Tracy Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Restore a parkerized luger? If it is a byf 42 model in the m serial number range it could be a parkerized Portuguese model. They ran a lot of the Lugers through a rebuild program. I also have a 42 1939 model which has a pakerized type finish which was my first Luger purchase. It has a deep dark blackish color to it. We need to know the markings on the Luger.

03-25-2001, 03:15 AM	#9
dm User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Restore a parkerized luger? This particular luger is a 1936 date S/42 common military with familiar military inspection stamps. The s/n is 3032o It was interesting in that the markings were not buffed but sharp as new despite the gun being parked. The bore was well worn but all parts were original and the straw parts were still straw. The mag as gone and thegrips well-worn and cracked (I did not check to see if the grips were orign s/n but alol metal parts were original including the fire blue parts which were still fire blue. The toggle pin even had the s/n on it. All in all an unusual parkerized luger but not the only one in existence. Several were parked over the years. This one was green parkerized. I have seen grey phosphate on Finn reworked M23's. Otherwise I do not know of any parkerized/phosphated lugers. That is, I did not think any were done original in phosphate/parkerizing. Does the metal surface get roughed up by parkerizing? Dave

03-25-2001, 01:25 PM	#10
BILL User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 826 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Parkerized Luger This is a Portugese byf Luger with a phosphate finish. http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/portugesebyf42.jpg

03-25-2001, 01:32 PM	#11
BILL User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 826 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Parkerized Luger (EOM)

03-25-2001, 01:33 PM	#12
BILL User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 826 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Why can't I post a pic? (EOM)

03-25-2001, 02:33 PM	#13
Ted User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: SC Posts: 726 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Why can't I post a pic? Here is your excellent picture, really a cool Luger and a GREAT picture! Ted http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/parkLuger.jpg

03-25-2001, 02:38 PM	#14
Ted User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: SC Posts: 726 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Restore a parkerized luger? Man......I would leave it as is, is it a byf?

03-25-2001, 08:58 PM	#15
BCC Guest Posts: n/a	Bill, please explain authenic finish Bill, I was curious by you post stating that some Lugers had an authenic phosphate or parkerized finishes. I am aware of the Potuguese re-finishes and the Finnish re-builds using a blackish phosphate finnish. I guess what I am asking is, are you aware of a factory phosphate finish used on Lugers and if not what do mean by authenic? By the way, I remember looking at a nice looking Mauser P.08 in the early 70's, All match, grey/green parkerized finish 99%, Blk plastic grips and a blued toggle (original finish I suppose). I cain't remember the exact code and date but I believe it was 1940 thru 42 and therefore either a byf or 42 code. I do remember it was $140 and I anguished over the purchase until I concluded it had to be a post-war refinish. In the 30 years since I have yet to run accross any information/knowledge that would convince me otherwise. Thanks, BCC

03-25-2001, 09:16 PM	#16
Tracy Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Why can't I post a pic? Bill have a question on the Mags that came with your Portugese Luger are they numbered to the Gun,or un numbered. I purchased a Portuguese from FGS several years ago and it came with a blank bottom aluminum mag. I have had people tell me that the Mags should be Plastic etc. very confusing. However, if that is your rig posted by Ted it is really great. Congradulations.

03-25-2001, 09:18 PM	#17
Tracy Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Why can't I post a pic? Should have put this in first reply. What proofs does the Loading tool have?

03-26-2001, 12:47 AM	#18
BILL User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 826 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Parkerized Lugers Unfortunately I can't quote the reference books as I am not positive where I first saw it. I have read that when the P-38 was adopted during WWII the Mauser manufacturing firm was too busy or undermanned to finish all of a contract of Lugers to the Portugese military. Who actually did the Parkerizing (and I believe that it was referred to in the article as a 'Phosphate-type' finish) is unclear. It may have been the Mauser factory or subcontracted in Portugal but the pistols were issued with a Parkerized finish. I can't say if it was done at the factory or elsewhere but it is authentic.

03-26-2001, 11:07 AM	#19
bcc Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks Bill, Interesting Info (EOM) (EOM)

03-26-2001, 01:10 PM	#20
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Thanks Bill, Interesting Info Parkerize has come to be synonymous with a phosphate finish much like "Xerox machine" and "Skil saw" came to be used with all copy machines and electric hand saws. Parkerize was a registered trade name of the Parker Rustproof Company for their phosphate finish. It appears that the wartime P38's were not first sandblasted before the phosphate finish was applied. The US military used the phosphate over a sandblasted finish to help the phosphate adhere better.