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Hi all,
My collection of Lugers is steady growing since I (re)started collecting them. Here in Belgium there are three main sources to look at if one would like to buy a Luger;
- Collegue collectors, selling their second quality doubles
- Fairs for collectors
- Official dealers with gouvernment licence
After a year of close examination I conclude that many Lugers have been 'restored' by a dealer before selling them. Restoring means here slight polishing to remove any initial rust and small pitting, and then a deep rust-bleuing, mostly of all parts...
An older dealer told me why they always did it, specially after WWII until 1985; buyers wanted a good handgun, nice looking, almost as new, and not expensive. The Luger was in strong demand, as this pistol shot high marks on the 25 - meter range. The artillery Luger got the best prices from those target shooters. Until 1985 there were only a few collectors, and there were too many Lugers available.
Before me I have here a 1917 Artillery Luger, # 3464 a. All # are matching, only the firingpin has been replaced. The weapon is shiny deep bleu, as if it was produced yesterday. The barrel is original, some wear but not pitted. Both sights, front and aft have their small adjustment screws.
I can also buy a Navy Model 04 # 3036 with one matching magazine. It bears the markings of the III Sea Battalion, quite rare. But it has got the same 'royal' treatment...
My question is to know what the influence of this kind of total rebleuing (strawed parts also!) would be on the international collectors market a view of the pricing.
And a second question, could the bleuing of the small parts been undone, and have their original straw colour back...
Your comments are highly appreciated.
My collection of Lugers is steady growing since I (re)started collecting them. Here in Belgium there are three main sources to look at if one would like to buy a Luger;
- Collegue collectors, selling their second quality doubles
- Fairs for collectors
- Official dealers with gouvernment licence
After a year of close examination I conclude that many Lugers have been 'restored' by a dealer before selling them. Restoring means here slight polishing to remove any initial rust and small pitting, and then a deep rust-bleuing, mostly of all parts...
An older dealer told me why they always did it, specially after WWII until 1985; buyers wanted a good handgun, nice looking, almost as new, and not expensive. The Luger was in strong demand, as this pistol shot high marks on the 25 - meter range. The artillery Luger got the best prices from those target shooters. Until 1985 there were only a few collectors, and there were too many Lugers available.
Before me I have here a 1917 Artillery Luger, # 3464 a. All # are matching, only the firingpin has been replaced. The weapon is shiny deep bleu, as if it was produced yesterday. The barrel is original, some wear but not pitted. Both sights, front and aft have their small adjustment screws.
I can also buy a Navy Model 04 # 3036 with one matching magazine. It bears the markings of the III Sea Battalion, quite rare. But it has got the same 'royal' treatment...
My question is to know what the influence of this kind of total rebleuing (strawed parts also!) would be on the international collectors market a view of the pricing.
And a second question, could the bleuing of the small parts been undone, and have their original straw colour back...
Your comments are highly appreciated.