refinishing a Luger

jeb111 · 03-26-2021, 12:23 PM

I'm sure this has been covered many times but how far gone does the original finish have to be on a pistol before refinishing it may actually help the value? I know it varies from gun to gun, but how about an average #'s matching military DWM or Mauser or commercial say an alphabet or even a 1906?
Thanks

Edward Tinker · 03-26-2021, 12:58 PM

The catch is more of not increasing value, but would you ever get your money back. A good refinish is at least $200-$300 and a 'restore' is probably $1000

I personally don't like to refinish a gun, however, I did it to a G date that had been nickel plated and the nickel was coming off and I did it for my own S&W that I let get wet and got rust pin pricks on it.
It came down to that I wanted it nice and had S&W do it for me, so its a personal choice. You can't stand how it looks, then sell it or fix it IMHO...

rhuff · 03-26-2021, 04:03 PM

I agree 100% with Ed.....if you are unhappy every time you look at your Luger, then sell it or fix it and be HAPPY!!

jeb111 · 03-26-2021, 06:01 PM

I fortunately don't have a Luger that needs refinishing, I was just wondering because I saw a 1900 AE at a gun show last week that had next to no finish left and was wondering if a guy refinished something that bad would it actually add to its value.

wlyon · 03-27-2021, 12:45 AM

If anything it would reduce the value. Bill

Diver6106 · 04-09-2021, 07:06 PM

Unfortunately or maybe more FORTUNATELY, some of us own Lugers that are beginning for restoration..

03-26-2021, 12:23 PM	#1
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 277 Thanks: 712 Thanked 331 Times in 133 Posts	refinishing a Luger I'm sure this has been covered many times but how far gone does the original finish have to be on a pistol before refinishing it may actually help the value? I know it varies from gun to gun, but how about an average #'s matching military DWM or Mauser or commercial say an alphabet or even a 1906? Thanks

03-26-2021, 04:03 PM	#3
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	I agree 100% with Ed.....if you are unhappy every time you look at your Luger, then sell it or fix it and be HAPPY!! __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

03-27-2021, 12:45 AM	#5
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,637 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,561 Times in 956 Posts	If anything it would reduce the value. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

04-09-2021, 07:06 PM	#6
Diver6106 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mt. Vernon VA Posts: 244 Thanks: 1,424 Thanked 117 Times in 75 Posts	Unfortunately or maybe more FORTUNATELY, some of us own Lugers that are beginning for restoration.. Attached Thumbnails

03-26-2021, 12:58 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	The catch is more of not increasing value, but would you ever get your money back. A good refinish is at least $200-$300 and a 'restore' is probably $1000 I personally don't like to refinish a gun, however, I did it to a G date that had been nickel plated and the nickel was coming off and I did it for my own S&W that I let get wet and got rust pin pricks on it. It came down to that I wanted it nice and had S&W do it for me, so its a personal choice. You can't stand how it looks, then sell it or fix it IMHO...

03-26-2021, 06:01 PM	#4
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 277 Thanks: 712 Thanked 331 Times in 133 Posts	I fortunately don't have a Luger that needs refinishing, I was just wondering because I saw a 1900 AE at a gun show last week that had next to no finish left and was wondering if a guy refinished something that bad would it actually add to its value.