PLUM Pretty Mauser Lugers

Thor · 11-03-2009, 03:20 PM

For some of the new collectors, I thought I would bring back an old topic and pictures. You may have seen plum colored extractors and ejectors on Salt Blued Mauser Lugers but some even came out that way. You might see this in 1937 late model Lugers as the switch over from rust bluing to salt bluing occured but this one is a 1938 S/42 next to a more common looking 1939 42 code Luger. Another interesting part of Lugers and even some P.38s will show their "colors" too.

FNorm · 11-03-2009, 03:48 PM

Thanks, Thor! But now how does that affect 'Yeller Boots"?

Fn

Thor · 04-06-2012, 10:13 AM

I think this is an interesting aspect of some of the early Mauser Salt blued Lugers. I see it occasionally on P.38s.

rolandtg · 04-06-2012, 11:01 AM

My purple Luger.
It's been re-blued, so there's no telling what happened.
It doesn't show very well in that photo but the receiver and toggle are really purple. The barrel and the frame are black.

This does seem to be more common with P-38's, especially the frames for some reason.

CJS57 · 04-06-2012, 02:48 PM

My Gunsmith says he make most parts blue or plum by adjusting the temperature of the salt bath.

Patronen · 04-06-2012, 05:52 PM

The slides on some CZ-27's must have took on this purplish tone too, this one is from around 1943. They also never finished or stopped with the finish near the back of the pistol and left it in the white.

Dave

steven c · 04-06-2012, 09:49 PM

Thor,

here is a nice plum color extractor on a 1939 S/42 with 98% finish

steve,

whcoyote · 04-06-2012, 10:52 PM

I think the metallurgy of the part has a greater effect on the color of the blued part than the temperature of the salt bath.

Thor · 04-07-2012, 10:48 AM

The Harder the part the easier to plum it up. Extractors and Ejectors and toggle links are really hard and some receivers do this too. Mauser Lugers are harder in general than DWMs and Erfurts, at least that has been my experience with them.

hyrax222 · 04-07-2012, 03:23 PM

Sturm Ruger had this "problem" with their revolvers when first produced in the ealy to mid 1950's. They determined it was because of the high nickel content of the steel castings. I have always loved the "plum"!

tharpo · 04-07-2012, 04:38 PM

Here is another 1938 with a brightly colored extractor.
Tom

Patronen · 04-07-2012, 10:35 PM

Not a very good picture, it doesn't show the plum as well, but here is another 1938 with plum extractor.

11-03-2009, 03:20 PM	#1
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	PLUM Pretty Mauser Lugers For some of the new collectors, I thought I would bring back an old topic and pictures. You may have seen plum colored extractors and ejectors on Salt Blued Mauser Lugers but some even came out that way. You might see this in 1937 late model Lugers as the switch over from rust bluing to salt bluing occured but this one is a 1938 S/42 next to a more common looking 1939 42 code Luger. Another interesting part of Lugers and even some P.38s will show their "colors" too. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

11-03-2009, 03:48 PM	#2
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Thanks, Thor! But now how does that affect 'Yeller Boots"? Fn Last edited by FNorm; 11-03-2009 at 03:49 PM. Reason: add

04-06-2012, 10:13 AM	#3
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	I think this is an interesting aspect of some of the early Mauser Salt blued Lugers. I see it occasionally on P.38s. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

04-06-2012, 11:01 AM	#4
rolandtg User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 476 Thanks: 374 Thanked 258 Times in 113 Posts	My purple Luger. It's been re-blued, so there's no telling what happened. It doesn't show very well in that photo but the receiver and toggle are really purple. The barrel and the frame are black. This does seem to be more common with P-38's, especially the frames for some reason. Attached Thumbnails

04-06-2012, 05:52 PM	#6
Patronen User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 312 Thanks: 335 Thanked 93 Times in 70 Posts	The slides on some CZ-27's must have took on this purplish tone too, this one is from around 1943. They also never finished or stopped with the finish near the back of the pistol and left it in the white. Dave Attached Thumbnails

04-06-2012, 02:48 PM	#5
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	My Gunsmith says he make most parts blue or plum by adjusting the temperature of the salt bath.

04-06-2012, 09:49 PM	#7
steven c User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Thor, here is a nice plum color extractor on a 1939 S/42 with 98% finish steve, Attached Thumbnails

04-06-2012, 10:52 PM	#8
whcoyote User Join Date: May 2008 Location: SW Virginia Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	I think the metallurgy of the part has a greater effect on the color of the blued part than the temperature of the salt bath.

04-07-2012, 10:48 AM	#9
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	The Harder the part the easier to plum it up. Extractors and Ejectors and toggle links are really hard and some receivers do this too. Mauser Lugers are harder in general than DWMs and Erfurts, at least that has been my experience with them. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

04-07-2012, 03:23 PM	#10
hyrax222 User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oregon City Posts: 62 Thanks: 90 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Sturm Ruger had this "problem" with their revolvers when first produced in the ealy to mid 1950's. They determined it was because of the high nickel content of the steel castings. I have always loved the "plum"!

04-07-2012, 04:38 PM	#11
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 541 Thanks: 116 Thanked 382 Times in 157 Posts	Here is another 1938 with a brightly colored extractor. Tom Attached Thumbnails

04-07-2012, 10:35 PM	#12
Patronen User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 312 Thanks: 335 Thanked 93 Times in 70 Posts	Not a very good picture, it doesn't show the plum as well, but here is another 1938 with plum extractor. Attached Images