find a restorer for P.08

gill120 · 03-25-2021, 11:16 AM

Im looking for a restorer for my P.08, if you know any competet gunsmith that can help me out . I have been in contact with Thor, says he is too busy to help me out. Soo im still looking. Thank you for any help. Dave Gill

Major Tom · 03-26-2021, 06:32 AM

Do you want to reblue? And, if so, why? Reblueing would hurt resale value big time. Parts need to be replaced?

gill120 · 03-26-2021, 09:59 AM

my pistol is near minty inside and out except for the left side, which it apparently was left laying and got rusty. I have used dental tools to remove the active rust ,but the results are fine pits down the left side. Now you the why. Thanks Dave

spangy · 03-26-2021, 10:33 AM

A picture of the pitted side would be useful in determining the fix gill120.

gill120 · 03-27-2021, 11:34 AM

added pics.

mrerick · 03-27-2021, 12:02 PM

I would not change it a bit.

If there is any active rust oxidation, you can use well oiled 0000 steel or bronze wool on a well oiled surface. Don't rub it hard. Just slow gentle work will help stabilize it.

Many Lugers have areas of pitting due to storage. In truth, you would be better to invest in a second high condition one. You'll never see return for your investment in restoring one.

Carefully remove the grips (see the FAQ) prior to working on it further.

I honestly can't find the areas in your pictures.

Doubs · 03-27-2021, 01:38 PM

I agree completely with mrerick. I wouldn't touch it except to make certain that the rust has been neutralized. It's a LOT better than many I've seen.

jeb111 · 03-27-2021, 05:32 PM

David the condition of your pistol wouldn't bother me at all, I would clean it up a bit as per mrerick's instructions. I have seen way rougher, you have a nice piece at the least use the condition of that Luger to justify the purchase of a better conditioned one! You always have to look for the silver lining! Enjoy

spangy · 03-27-2021, 06:09 PM

If you concentrate on the left side of the gun and blow up the image you can see the pitting that is bothering gill120 ... I have to say i agree with gill, it would bother me too.
But for this area this gun would be a perfect example of an excellent Luger.

I think Thor could 'fix' this pitting to the point of no longer being irritating and back to the way it was before it 'was left laying and got rusty'.

JMHO ... each to his own.

Heinz · 03-27-2021, 07:42 PM

if the rust is stopped, I would do nothing further. It is not degraded to a "shooter" class. It appears to be a WW1 example and at its age would probably grade at least an NRA good condition.

sdmark777 · 03-27-2021, 07:56 PM

I second, third, fourth, what everyone else told you gill120. Clean it up and leave it alone! If you have to, then get another. It may not be super pretty, but if it is all original Leave it Alone! As I have seen written here often, "It is only original once". JMHO, Mark

gill120 · 04-02-2021, 12:17 PM

Well I have not heard anybody volunteering to do the job, so I will just keep it as it is till I find a better one. Thanks anyway all

Edward Tinker · 04-02-2021, 01:29 PM

Gill, there are few folks that can do it right. Ted can - Eugene can - both have long wait times and fairly expensive. I can't imagine that they can do just one side, entire gun needs restore. My mind is blank, there was a guy named Danner who did an okay job, but after a number of luger pistols, he got very good and his prices were only 2-300 dollars, which made it worth it. Danner - good guy, but he quit doing it from age, or passed away.

Personally - I'd probably also have it done - if it means something to you or bothers you, then thats a reason.
I sold a nice police luger to a guy about 15 yrs ago, was perfect except the sideplate, when he got it, he had that part reblued - I disagreed with him at the time, now I am not so sure. If a gun is so nice, but one area is messed up, then?

I have mixed feelings on stuff like this, but I think in this case, I'd have it done also.

03-25-2021, 11:16 AM	#1
gill120 User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 95 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts	find a restorer for P.08 Im looking for a restorer for my P.08, if you know any competet gunsmith that can help me out . I have been in contact with Thor, says he is too busy to help me out. Soo im still looking. Thank you for any help. Dave Gill

03-26-2021, 06:32 AM	#2
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 481 Thanks: 531 Thanked 226 Times in 123 Posts	Do you want to reblue? And, if so, why? Reblueing would hurt resale value big time. Parts need to be replaced? __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

03-26-2021, 09:59 AM	#3
gill120 User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 95 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts	my pistol is near minty inside and out except for the left side, which it apparently was left laying and got rusty. I have used dental tools to remove the active rust ,but the results are fine pits down the left side. Now you the why. Thanks Dave Last edited by gill120; 03-27-2021 at 11:30 AM.

03-26-2021, 10:33 AM	#4
spangy Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 607 Thanks: 2,984 Thanked 1,047 Times in 422 Posts	A picture of the pitted side would be useful in determining the fix gill120. __________________ Whoever said that "money can't buy you happiness" never bought a Luger. WTB - Take Down Lever & Trigger Plate (#90) for an Imperial Artillery.

03-27-2021, 11:34 AM	#5
gill120 User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 95 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts	restore P.08 added pics. Attached Thumbnails

03-27-2021, 12:02 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	I would not change it a bit. If there is any active rust oxidation, you can use well oiled 0000 steel or bronze wool on a well oiled surface. Don't rub it hard. Just slow gentle work will help stabilize it. Many Lugers have areas of pitting due to storage. In truth, you would be better to invest in a second high condition one. You'll never see return for your investment in restoring one. Carefully remove the grips (see the FAQ) prior to working on it further. I honestly can't find the areas in your pictures. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

03-27-2021, 01:38 PM	#7
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 769 Thanked 1,611 Times in 525 Posts	I agree completely with mrerick. I wouldn't touch it except to make certain that the rust has been neutralized. It's a LOT better than many I've seen.

03-27-2021, 05:32 PM	#8
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 275 Thanks: 680 Thanked 325 Times in 131 Posts	David the condition of your pistol wouldn't bother me at all, I would clean it up a bit as per mrerick's instructions. I have seen way rougher, you have a nice piece at the least use the condition of that Luger to justify the purchase of a better conditioned one! You always have to look for the silver lining! Enjoy

03-27-2021, 06:09 PM	#9
spangy Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 607 Thanks: 2,984 Thanked 1,047 Times in 422 Posts	If you concentrate on the left side of the gun and blow up the image you can see the pitting that is bothering gill120 ... I have to say i agree with gill, it would bother me too. But for this area this gun would be a perfect example of an excellent Luger. I think Thor could 'fix' this pitting to the point of no longer being irritating and back to the way it was before it 'was left laying and got rusty'. JMHO ... each to his own. __________________ Whoever said that "money can't buy you happiness" never bought a Luger. WTB - Take Down Lever & Trigger Plate (#90) for an Imperial Artillery.

03-27-2021, 07:42 PM	#10
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 410 Times in 180 Posts	if the rust is stopped, I would do nothing further. It is not degraded to a "shooter" class. It appears to be a WW1 example and at its age would probably grade at least an NRA good condition.

03-27-2021, 07:56 PM	#11
sdmark777 User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 281 Thanks: 657 Thanked 663 Times in 169 Posts	I second, third, fourth, what everyone else told you gill120. Clean it up and leave it alone! If you have to, then get another. It may not be super pretty, but if it is all original Leave it Alone! As I have seen written here often, "It is only original once". JMHO, Mark

04-02-2021, 12:17 PM	#12
gill120 User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 95 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts	Well I have not heard anybody volunteering to do the job, so I will just keep it as it is till I find a better one. Thanks anyway all

04-02-2021, 01:29 PM	#13
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	Gill, there are few folks that can do it right. Ted can - Eugene can - both have long wait times and fairly expensive. I can't imagine that they can do just one side, entire gun needs restore. My mind is blank, there was a guy named Danner who did an okay job, but after a number of luger pistols, he got very good and his prices were only 2-300 dollars, which made it worth it. Danner - good guy, but he quit doing it from age, or passed away. Personally - I'd probably also have it done - if it means something to you or bothers you, then thats a reason. I sold a nice police luger to a guy about 15 yrs ago, was perfect except the sideplate, when he got it, he had that part reblued - I disagreed with him at the time, now I am not so sure. If a gun is so nice, but one area is messed up, then? I have mixed feelings on stuff like this, but I think in this case, I'd have it done also.