Many years ago (35) I bought an old Luger from a FFl dealer friend of mine, it is a all matching Waffen proofed DWM s/42. I got it very cheap as it looked like s***.
The toggle was blued as it came from the factory, but the rest of the gun was finished in what I believe was Sunkorite.
The finish was beat with chips and scratches.
At the time I didn't think it had any collectors value, so I decided to strip off the old finish, what a chore that was, The first to come off was the black topcoat which revealed a grey "primer".
It took 6-8 applications of paint stripper to get to bare metal, no metal tools or abrasive was used.
When it was down to bare metal I was able to see all of the proof marks, some which supprised me. There were the German Waffen Eagle proofs on the frame and the barrel with bore diameter , plus English "Tones"
The overall condition of the metal is without pitting or scratches.
I would like to do something to restore it but not sure which to go. A reblue and grip restore is about $850.00. I am not sure if that is worth it. the other option is to finish it with the Suncorite,
which I know is not available anymore.
Any suggestions?
The toggle was blued as it came from the factory, but the rest of the gun was finished in what I believe was Sunkorite.
The finish was beat with chips and scratches.
At the time I didn't think it had any collectors value, so I decided to strip off the old finish, what a chore that was, The first to come off was the black topcoat which revealed a grey "primer".
It took 6-8 applications of paint stripper to get to bare metal, no metal tools or abrasive was used.
When it was down to bare metal I was able to see all of the proof marks, some which supprised me. There were the German Waffen Eagle proofs on the frame and the barrel with bore diameter , plus English "Tones"
The overall condition of the metal is without pitting or scratches.
I would like to do something to restore it but not sure which to go. A reblue and grip restore is about $850.00. I am not sure if that is worth it. the other option is to finish it with the Suncorite,
which I know is not available anymore.
Any suggestions?