Should I reblue my Luger ? And force match the barrel

[Noble_Guardian]

Hello everyone,

I have a rebarreled (from prohib to restricted) Byf 1942 Portugese Luger. Except for the barrel, everything is matching. The blueing on all the original parts is starting to turn redish (as shown on the pictures). As you can see, the barrel's finish is clearly distinguishable from the original one.

It's a pistol that I really intend to keep as a collector piece, and maybe even one day pass down to my kids.

So I'm wondering if I should keep the Luger in it's original shape or force match the barrel with the rest of the pistol and reblue it ?

Thanks !!

 

[Suputin]

Do you think collector value is enhanced or detracted by rebluing? The answer to that question will determine the course of action you should take.

Hint: Refinishing of original parts NEVER enhances their collector value.

 

[Shooting Centre]

Re barrelling it makes it a shooter not a collector. So, a good reblueing job will make it a more attractive shooter.

 

[cadgo]

Re barrelling it makes it a shooter not a collector. So, a good reblueing job will make it a more attractive shooter.

This.

 

[Juster]

From prohib to restricted is part of its Fascist history. I'd leave it.

 

[sgt.rock]

Worth the re-blue if you ask me. Since all "collector" value went into the garbage can with the old 4" barrel.

 

[Lead hammer]

Once nobody can actually have an unmolested Luger in possession, the old blue look might be nice to a collector, but it would certainly look better all the same color. How much will you shoot it?? Parts easy to come by???

 

[Phat Eagle]

Worth the re-blue if you ask me. Since all "collector" value went into the garbage can with the old 4" barrel.

I concur.

 

[tiriaq]

Force match? Don't you just mean number?

 

[hatman1793]

Definately reblue it. While there might have been some provenance with your Luger because Portugal was neutral during the war, that value was lost with the new barrel.
About a million Lugers were produced from 1934-1942 when production was terminated. So they are not really rare like Python production of 500,00 revolvers from1955 to 2005.
Sure, reblue it and make it match...

 

[7.62xfun]

i would leave it original. from my point of view you are preserving the pistol. in 30 or 40 years nobody will own a luger without the barrel replaced. its allways going to be collectable despite what people say might as well keep the part thats original. how many will get cut up because folks dont want to get a barrel replaced to save a pistol.

 

[polaris]

Re barrelling it makes it a shooter not a collector. So, a good reblueing job will make it a more attractive shooter.

That's my way of thinking as well.

 

[Noble_Guardian]

Thanks for the advice guys !!

Very appreciated.

I know that value was lost when it was rebarreled. So I guess at the end, it's up to me if I want it to look good or to look more original.

I do bring it out to the range once or twice every year, and maybe go through a 3-4 mags every time. I did replace the springs with aftermarket springs to prevent any weakness in the original springs (that I still have).

Of course, if I had a 12.6 I would never rebarrel it, but I'm just a normal guy with no one even ever having firearms in my family before me, so that was my only way of getting my hand on a P.08.

 

[marshall]

That is wrong, there are lots of original 4 inch lugers around, there are also original 5 inch lugers out there that are original.

Once nobody can actually have an unmolested Luger in possession, the old blue look might be nice to a collector, but it would certainly look better all the same color. How much will you shoot it?? Parts easy to come by???

P.S. sorry I tought you said no one can have a original, missed the once part