Navy Luger restoration

Biloba said:
Once well cleaned and oiled, you think it will continue?
Click to expand...

If it's properly oiled or sealed with a conservative wax then it shouldn't get any worse. Most of the pitting as far as I can see by the pictures (obviously I can't see under the filler) is no worse than other receivers that I have re profiled by just filling out and refinishing smooth again. Possibly a few of the deeper ones won't disappear completely but it's hard to tell from pictures. I am an engraver so any proof marks that get too faint I simply engrave deeper as needed. I've done several projects like this and in the end you can't tell that it was ever that bad.
 
I would have it fully and professionally restored. Currently it’s only value is derived from the fact that it’s a Navy Luger. That’s cool and has value, but it’s in absolutely horrid shape. A poor entry level collectible for its class. It would appeal to a shooter that wants a “cheap” Navy Luger, but few others would consider it highly.

Now if you restore it, it will lose its originality. However, how much value is that collectible originality contributing in this shape? I would argue that originality contributes next to nothing in its current state. Now if you restore it, you’ll wipe that collectible value away, but you’ll massively increase the shooters value. I don’t know what a Navy Luger goes for, but I bet a shooter, or even a less-well-off collector would pay 50-70% of the equivalent “collectors” piece for a gun in beautiful shape, and I suspect that amount is still 100-200% more than what’s it currently worth in its sorry state. That’s my guessing. Maybe someone with better knowledge of the Restricted Luger market will chime in.
 
I think pretty much the same as you about it. I think the condition is so bad, than it would be better to restore it. But a very nice restoration seems to cost 2500$. That’s a lot of money.

Blastattack said:
I would have it fully and professionally restored. Currently it’s only value is derived from the fact that it’s a Navy Luger. That’s cool and has value, but it’s in absolutely horrid shape. A poor entry level collectible for its class. It would appeal to a shooter that wants a “cheap” Navy Luger, but few others would consider it highly.

Now if you restore it, it will lose its originality. However, how much value is that collectible originality contributing in this shape? I would argue that originality contributes next to nothing in its current state. Now if you restore it, you’ll wipe that collectible value away, but you’ll massively increase the shooters value. I don’t know what a Navy Luger goes for, but I bet a shooter, or even a less-well-off collector would pay 50-70% of the equivalent “collectors” piece for a gun in beautiful shape, and I suspect that amount is still 100-200% more than what’s it currently worth in its sorry state. That’s my guessing. Maybe someone with better knowledge of the Restricted Luger market will chime in.
Click to expand...
 

Watch this. It's an hour of techniques to stop any more damage that you can easily do at home.

I've answered earlier in the thread about it only being original once and serious collectors with serious money will turn their nose up at this one because there's better examples out there to be their dragon to chase. I have a rebarreled P-08 with some pitting on the frame. I own a TIG welder but have no desire to spend a hundred hours to fill some pits and refinish it to make my pistol worth exactly what I paid for it. I'm gonna shoot it.

So you need to decide if you want to be a collector and admire pristine examples of these finely made and engineered pistols or a guy that shoots it to experience the handling and use. I don't see the pitting when I'm shooting mine because there's no rust on my front sight. Decide what you want first then see if this fits the bill. If it doesn't, find another example to collect. If it does, get rid of that ugly putty and conserve it so your example can continue to be shot for another three generations.
 
Could only be described as "shooter" grade, IMHO.
I don't think it is a viable economic proposition to restore this gun.
It would be a labour of love.
Money has been spent on much stranger projects.
 
Biloba said:
Once well cleaned and oiled, you think it will continue?
Click to expand...

I have one of the 1911's left behind by the U.S. when they pulled out of "Nam". these guns sat in warehouses in the tropics for years before the new VC govt. got around to selling them to get some quick cash. A lot of these ended up in Canada and most had bad to severe pitting on the slide & frame. I acquired on e of these, and in 25 yrs have noticed no increase in pitting damage since it was oiled & neutralized and kept dry since then.
Pitted and all...its still one of my "never sell" items.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom