Lugers Finished "In the White"?

max2cam · 12-16-2003, 11:28 AM

Last evening I was admiring my mint M1909 Arg. Mauser made by DWM, Berlin. The receiver and bolt is finished "in the white" and that was somewhat common in that pre-WWI period.

The "in the white" finish gives a luxurious satin pearly luster. It is quite beautiful. Gives the gun an exotic de-luxe character.

That got me wondering. Were there any Lugers early on that were finished in the white? I'm not talking modern stainless steel repros, but originals. If any were made, my hunch is it would have been before World War I.

Thanks.

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Luke · 12-16-2003, 12:08 PM

Just wondering: By "in the white" do you mean no finish other than polishing and oiling? Or is there some additional, special treatment of the metal surface?

Thanks,
Luke

Pete Ebbink · 12-16-2003, 12:36 PM

Am away from my luger library for a few days, but if I recall correctely some of lugers in the first 1900 DWM guns that went to Switzerland went over "in the white" where they were finished by the arsenal at Bern...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

unspellable · 12-16-2003, 05:54 PM

I have seen a DWM in the white. It had no proof marks, serial numbers, or other markings. The general consensus was that it was a lunch box special.

max2cam · 12-17-2003, 12:21 PM

The "in the white" finish that I'm talking about is production, NOT special tool room prototypes or pattern guns or lunchbox specials. The steel was "buffed" out to a shiny satiny nearly bright finish and left that way. Not chromed or anything like that.

I know the 1909 Argentine contract Mausers were done that way. Also the 1908 Brazilan contract, 1909 Peruvian, and probably other pre-WWI contracts. The steel receiver, the bolt, and the buttplate were buffed and left "in the white" (probably with a protective oil coating but nothing else). The barrel, bands, triggerguard, and floorplate were blued. The band springs were strawed color. The bolt release lever was heat blued. With the high quality (sometimes red) walnut these Mausers were stocked in, this combination made for a VERY attractive, even beautiful rifle. Metal to wood fit is UNBELIEVEABLE as is the overall metal finish. You couldn't buy a gun with this quality today for ten grand. By Luger standards, such Mausers are still cheap, but going up fast.

Anyway, that's what got me thinking about Lugers. Because if they left Mausers partially "in the white" why not with early Lugers? Put a few strawed parts on them and figured walnut grips and you'd have STUNNING looking pistole.

Doesn't sound, however, like they are common if any were produced that way. And yet with the number of variations out there, you'd think some would have been left "in the white" as it was a somewhat popular custom to do that with other German made weapons.

Fantasy Mil-Surp Gunshop: $60 Lugers! 1905 Mannlicher <weeping>" $27.50!
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Thor · 12-17-2003, 12:45 PM

P38 in the white prior to bluing, and a high polish (around 400 grit on the slide and barrel)

Pete Ebbink · 12-17-2003, 12:47 PM

John,

Forgot to mention...Mr. John Martz' modern-day luger fabrications can be ordered "in the white" as well as blued...

LF member, Lodi Jim, have collected several of the Martz pieces (in the white) and shared them with a small LF group at the Reno gun show a couple of shows ago...what a treat to see such fine un-finished lugers...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

max2cam · 12-17-2003, 03:09 PM

So there are some modern lugers "finished" that way. Interesting.

But apparantly in the old days "unfinished" (in the white) was actually in some models considered "finished." (Kinda like chicks going topless on Euro beaches).

If original "in the white" (finished finish) Lugers exist, they must be very rare, as you guys would know of them.

Fantasy Mil-Surp Gunshop: Great Selection, Great Prices!
http://www.atthecreation.com/

max2cam · 12-17-2003, 03:10 PM

I can easily imagine Goering wearing an "in the white" Luger to match his white Luftwaffe uniform. Probably be turning up on eBay any minute....

max2cam · 12-17-2003, 03:14 PM

Yep, the polished (in the white) P.38 Thor posted looks about the same color and lustre of the M1909 Arg. Mauser receiver.

Broomhandles $55! (I'll take a dozen)
http://www.atthecreation.com/

karmast · 12-20-2003, 01:53 PM

In the white meant really unblued, in German called "Weissfertig" = Whiteready, you only have to add the blueing.

12-16-2003, 11:28 AM	#1
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lugers Finished "In the White"? Last evening I was admiring my mint M1909 Arg. Mauser made by DWM, Berlin. The receiver and bolt is finished "in the white" and that was somewhat common in that pre-WWI period. The "in the white" finish gives a luxurious satin pearly luster. It is quite beautiful. Gives the gun an exotic de-luxe character. That got me wondering. Were there any Lugers early on that were finished in the white? I'm not talking modern stainless steel repros, but originals. If any were made, my hunch is it would have been before World War I. Thanks. Fantasy Mil-Surp Gunshop: Lugers $60! http://www.atthecreation.com/

12-16-2003, 12:08 PM	#2
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Just wondering: By "in the white" do you mean no finish other than polishing and oiling? Or is there some additional, special treatment of the metal surface? Thanks, Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

12-17-2003, 12:45 PM	#6
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	P38 in the white prior to bluing, and a high polish (around 400 grit on the slide and barrel) __________________ 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."

12-20-2003, 01:53 PM	#11
karmast User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In the white meant really unblued, in German called "Weissfertig" = Whiteready, you only have to add the blueing. __________________ Every Luger tells a story - but you have to find out what it says..

12-16-2003, 12:36 PM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Am away from my luger library for a few days, but if I recall correctely some of lugers in the first 1900 DWM guns that went to Switzerland went over "in the white" where they were finished by the arsenal at Bern... Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

12-16-2003, 05:54 PM	#4
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	I have seen a DWM in the white. It had no proof marks, serial numbers, or other markings. The general consensus was that it was a lunch box special.

12-17-2003, 12:21 PM	#5
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The "in the white" finish that I'm talking about is production, NOT special tool room prototypes or pattern guns or lunchbox specials. The steel was "buffed" out to a shiny satiny nearly bright finish and left that way. Not chromed or anything like that. I know the 1909 Argentine contract Mausers were done that way. Also the 1908 Brazilan contract, 1909 Peruvian, and probably other pre-WWI contracts. The steel receiver, the bolt, and the buttplate were buffed and left "in the white" (probably with a protective oil coating but nothing else). The barrel, bands, triggerguard, and floorplate were blued. The band springs were strawed color. The bolt release lever was heat blued. With the high quality (sometimes red) walnut these Mausers were stocked in, this combination made for a VERY attractive, even beautiful rifle. Metal to wood fit is UNBELIEVEABLE as is the overall metal finish. You couldn't buy a gun with this quality today for ten grand. By Luger standards, such Mausers are still cheap, but going up fast. Anyway, that's what got me thinking about Lugers. Because if they left Mausers partially "in the white" why not with early Lugers? Put a few strawed parts on them and figured walnut grips and you'd have STUNNING looking pistole. Doesn't sound, however, like they are common if any were produced that way. And yet with the number of variations out there, you'd think some would have been left "in the white" as it was a somewhat popular custom to do that with other German made weapons. Fantasy Mil-Surp Gunshop: $60 Lugers! 1905 Mannlicher <weeping>" $27.50! http://www.atthecreation.com/

12-17-2003, 12:47 PM	#7
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	John, Forgot to mention...Mr. John Martz' modern-day luger fabrications can be ordered "in the white" as well as blued... LF member, Lodi Jim, have collected several of the Martz pieces (in the white) and shared them with a small LF group at the Reno gun show a couple of shows ago...what a treat to see such fine un-finished lugers... Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

12-17-2003, 03:09 PM	#8
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So there are some modern lugers "finished" that way. Interesting. But apparantly in the old days "unfinished" (in the white) was actually in some models considered "finished." (Kinda like chicks going topless on Euro beaches). If original "in the white" (finished finish) Lugers exist, they must be very rare, as you guys would know of them. Fantasy Mil-Surp Gunshop: Great Selection, Great Prices! http://www.atthecreation.com/

12-17-2003, 03:10 PM	#9
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I can easily imagine Goering wearing an "in the white" Luger to match his white Luftwaffe uniform. Probably be turning up on eBay any minute....

12-17-2003, 03:14 PM	#10
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yep, the polished (in the white) P.38 Thor posted looks about the same color and lustre of the M1909 Arg. Mauser receiver. Broomhandles $55! (I'll take a dozen) http://www.atthecreation.com/