Leave it alone or ?

[LH]

Hello:

This is my first luger and first post on this forum. I really want to refinish this pistol, add "more correct" parts and make it look nicer. I think this is probably a poor decision because of the cost, but might be a good idea if that's what I want for my pistol.

As it sits, this is mostly a 1939 gun with a "matching" DWM toggle train. Mechanically, it seems sound. I would rate the finish on most of the pistol as poor, with none of the original bluing remaining. The exception is the toggle train, which appears to have a rust blue finish. There are tool marks near the take down lever and on the opposite side as well. The grip is intact on the right side, but the left has large slivers missing. My photos stink, but are the best I have to offer. I'm pretty sure they will suffice for my questions.

The markings are:

Top of the barrel - 1939
Toggle assembly - 16 in two places, and DWM
Left side of barrel/frame - 8916 and 16 in four places
Right side of barrel/frame - 2 eagles with 63 underneath, and a bent wing eagle
Front of frame - 8916
Underside of barrel - 8916, underneath that is 8,82
Mag = mismatch

My questions are: What value would you place on this pistol? What would any changes do to that value? Should I refinish this gun or add parts to it (replace toggle parts with 42 or S/42 marked parts)? If yes, then where to send it to refinish it and where to get parts?

To say the Luger bug has bitten me hard is an understatement. I am very interested in these pistols, so anything you can tell me is very much appreciated. I also am looking to acquire other Lugers. I know to watch the boards, but any suggestions on excellent commercial sellers are appreciated as well. Thank you for your time.

[Edward Tinker]

welcome to the forum - I checkmarked so you'd get notified, hope that was okay.

As it sits, $500-$650 - depending on who's buying. Refinishing it, if done well would enhance the value, but likely not bring much extra money in selling.

So, it depends on how much you would like it pretty Although a 1939 era toggle would be much more correct, but more expensive than a DWM IMHO - but you could then sell the DWM toggle.

[Dwight Gruber]

Congratulations on your first Luger.

Your comment, "I also am looking to acquire other Lugers", is the best self-instruction ever.

Put the $1,200 or so it would take for a first-rate reconstruction of this pistol into a kitty as seed money for your next Luger, take the time to figure out what you really want for a first-rate collectible Luger.

In the meantime, use this pistol as a study piece while reading the Forum and whatever source books you may have access to. Also, take it shooting. Pick up a Mec-Gar magazine, and perhaps a pair of VoPo (East German) plastic grips, and have a great deal of fun.

--Dwight

[DavidJayUden]

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, any money you spend refinishing or upgrading that gun is akin to lighting money on fire and throwing it into the trash can. You will not recoup your refinishing investment when you sell it. I wish I could sound more positive.
Why not find inexpensive grips, fix what needs fixing, and shoot the heck out of it until a nicer original gun comes along?
dju

[LH]

Ok. Got it. General consensus is leave the shooter as is, or else ....

[Edward Tinker]

A friend of mine bought a luger that was in bad shape, then practiced refinishing it himself

So...

[alvin]

If buy one from established C&R dealers,

http://www.legacy-collectibles.com/w...nd-guns/lugers
http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=179

Or, from auctioneers... there is one going-on today and tomorrow. Usually they carry a few Lugers.

http://www.amoskeagauction.com/104/auction104.html

[Patronen]

Spend the money on ammo and cleaning supplies, a new set of grips for shooting would be fine.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by LH

Ok. Got it. General consensus is leave the shooter as is, or else ....

Thanks for that picture! If you don't mind, I think I can find good use for it myself...

I agree with the others. Use the ugly duckling for practice, shooting, study, etc. Don't be afraid to buy old/used/rusty/cheap parts for dissection [grips, barrels, springs] as you can sometimes find you need an old part for experimentation...

Also, detail strip and clean/scrub your Luger. Things that look clean [firing pin guide/spring; safety lever; sear spring/plunger] can be so gunked up with hard caked crud that they don't operate correctly and can cause unresolvable problems (with out cleaning/freeing). Been there, done that...

[Sergio Natali]

I agree with David (DavidJayUden), I don't want to sound like a broken record either but more than taking it to the range, as we are not sure how safe is shooting it, dissect this Luger and use it as a study piece.
In any case since to me any old Luger is a nice gun, have my congratulations!


Sergio

[ithacaartist]

Congratulations on your acquisition. Harness this old workhorse up and coax a little bit of work from it at the range. You can make it look a lot better doing a home restoration of the finish. Most of the grunt work is in the prep, but other than getting its surfaces chemically ready for a dip, I would not put a bunch of hand work into it. One would be able to tell it was re-blued over pits but its initial impression would be much better, and adequate for this particular situation, IMHO. Non-professional (unpaid/experimental) work on this one is the only economical way, and this example would be a great chance to practice the procedures.