How about some pics!It was in poor condition (it looked like junk) and disassembled in a box. The barrel was far gone. I figured this was as close as I would get to owning one of these, so after paying the money, I sent it to a company in Florida and had the whole thing redone. They reblued it, lengthened the barrel to a standard size (this equated to a brand new barrel which equated to a new operational life), and aside from the weathered wood grips, she looks great.
Given the fact that I said not only in the thread title, but several times in the first and following posts, that I was not interested in NAYSAYERS, that I had HEARD IT ALL BEFORE, and that I SIMPLY DON"T CARE about "perceived value", you still felt it necessary to grace us with your wisdom on the subject, not only once, but in multiple follow up posts. For that Billy Shears, I will be eternally grateful. My life is now complete, and I can die happy. You sir, are a treasure. Thanks for being here for all of us, and steering us in the RIGHT direction.
It's nice to inherent anything; it's a gift, and gifts are always nice. But isn't it nicer to inherit something that's actually worth some real money?
And in just as many eyes(maybe more) not butchered. Unless those eyes are looking to purchase the topic of discussion it's monetary value is nothing to them. Having a difference of opinion is great and I share many of the opinions posted here both pro and con BUT remember NEVER tell a mother her baby is ugly no matter what you think!in many eyes, been "butchered",
A gun in the condition you describe is exactly the kind of perfect candidate for restoration to which I was referring. Such a gun has virtually no collector value to diminish, it's value is that of a shooter to be enjoyed, and restoration can turn in back into something that people can enjoy and shoot for decades -- especially people who find the rare and increasingly valuable originals that remain in good condition beyond reach.Billy Shears,
with a name like that you must be a fellow Beatles fan. Having said that, I agree with your notion that for the most part, a firearm should be left alone unless it is so far gone that a restoration could only improve the piece. Unfortunately, some gun owners do let some rare examples go to the devil (i.e., leaving an antique firing piece sitting in the attic for thirty-odd years to suffer the extreme temperature changes). If said gun owner was a widowed grandmother, I can overlook the developments. The rest of us are without excuse.
The photographs of the OP are not registering on my computer [at work], so I can only go by the many words of admiration. Sounds like a really good effort. I bought a C-96 Mauser Broomhandle (specifically a Bolo) from a friend a while back for a couple hundred dollars. It was in poor condition (it looked like junk) and disassembled in a box. The barrel was far gone. I figured this was as close as I would get to owning one of these, so after paying the money, I sent it to a company in Florida and had the whole thing redone. They reblued it, lengthened the barrel to a standard size (this equated to a brand new barrel which equated to a new operational life), and aside from the weathered wood grips, she looks great.
- JKHolman
EXACTLY!With all due respect, you have to be realistic about your audience. This is a board full of gun enthusiasts. Many of which love old guns. They lose value and the total number of unaltered pieces drops a notch when one is refinished. You post a refinish of something as rare and highly prized as a Luger that has, in many eyes, been "butchered", and you can't expect NOT to get a few negative responses.
It'd be as if I started a thread entitled "Obama is doing great things for this country! Naysayers please don't post". I can say that in the thread title all day long, but the reality is I can't expect that request to be obeyed. It's a controversial subject - particularly in present company, and at the end of the day the thread isn't "mine" to direct who does and doesn't post in it. I started a thread on a discussion board on which any member may comment.
If you want to show off your gun, then fine. Just understand that you'll have to accept the positive AND the negative comments as they come.
I just bought a 1907 Savage and am considering getting it reblued and putting repo grips on it. Some guns you just like the lines and looks of. Your P08 is one of those guns for me. I have even considered getting a model gun. I got plenty others for shooting.
and nearly bought an old C96 last year that was mechanically okay, but needed barrel relining and a total refinish. But right now I'm pouring all my spare cash into the aforementioned Studebaker Avanti.