To Blue, or not to Blue, that is the question

[Ronnie Fry]

Compatriots,
While I would not call this model of luger "rare", it certainly is not common.... but this old bird (American Eagle) has definitely seen its better days. Charitably, it is "well used". It's had some repairs, and the bore is ---- um.. not much left there. As a matter of fact, very little. Grips not numbered to the gun, and have been varnished, or something.
However, all the right parts are there. Numbers match, as far as I can tell. No number on the firing pin, but it is a correct early one.
I've got a nice American Eagle, and will keep it. Then why, you ask, did I buy it?? Very simple. a really nice 1913 dated holster mfg by J.M. Eckhart in Ulm.... I bought the pistol to get the holster.
So what's a guy to do?? Restore, reblue, or leave it as is?? There's good argument for both sides here, and I'm vacillating. I know many of you will have some comment/input.....

Ronnie

[Ronnie Fry]

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[Ronnie Fry]

And why did I buy it for the holster???

[Ronnie Fry]

Oh, did I mention unmarked tool??

[Ronnie Fry]

Page --- well, next

[Ronnie Fry]

Page 6, I think

Is there a s/n on the side plate??

[Ronnie Fry]

Maybe a hint of one in this unusual place

[GWA]

Ronnie, I have bought many a Luger just to get the holster, good move. If I wanted the type I would have it restored depending on your investment. If you don't want the pistol, sell it off.

If you need any help on who to do the restoration, shoot me an email.

[Ronnie Fry]

GWA, I value your opinion.... And thank you for your time.!!

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who will buy an item as this... For the "side show", not the "Main Event".

r

[coorsontap]

Ronnie,

My advice is to leave it as it is, a nice old Luger. If you refinish it, you can never put it back to the original condition and you more than likely will not recover the original price of the pistol and restoration. I had an old M1911 restored by Bill Adair and after the refinish it was beautiful, but I always regretted the restoration and sold it. I would have been much better off just leaving it as it was. I can only speak for myself but if I saw the pistol above and a refinished one side by side on gunbroker, I would only consider the one with original finish even if it was only a shooter. My .02. Regards, Ron.

[Ronnie Fry]

coorsontap, thank you for your comments... I'm now wondering just what the cost of restoration might be.... may be too much. GWA, do you have any idea?/

Johnny Peppers, I'm hoping you will have something to add !

[juoneen]

The only accepted bluing would be to have the factory or manufacturer that made it to do the job...then its at best a re-blue from the factory, wich if you have done will need a letter stating so.Id leave it as is if it were mine, and you may be suprised what you get for it someday even as it is. Until then keep it as a shooter.