To blue or not to blue that is the question

458winshooter · February 7, 2009, 02:49 AM

I have a German Luger that has been given the chrome treatment and I am wondering if it would do anything to raise the value of the gun by reblueing it?All numbers on the gun match but not the clip and the chrome finish is chipping off of the end of the barrel.So what do you think?Thanks Russ

Bill DeShivs · February 7, 2009, 03:18 AM

Russ
That is a call that only a qualified refinisher can make.
If the gun was polished and plated at a bumper chrome shop it probably would be too expensive to refinish it.

Al Thompson · February 7, 2009, 10:37 AM

I think it's probably only worth it if it would sell the gun faster. I don't think you'll see something like if you spend 200 bucks to blue it, it will now be worth ~ 500 bucks, while if it was chromed it was worth ~ 300 bucks.

I think it would sell faster but once you ruin the original finish, it's a shooter, not a collector. Hopefully someone will chime in and let us know what a chrome Luger is worth...

Scorch · February 7, 2009, 12:37 PM

In general, refinishing a gun that has been refinished adds nothing to its value, and detracts nothing from its value. At this point it is a shooter, and even a restoration with rust bluing and nitre bluing of the appropriate parts will still be a restoration. But on the plus side, just about ANY Luger is going for absurd money these days.

458winshooter · February 8, 2009, 12:58 AM

Thanks for the replies I plan on keeping it but was just wondering if it would be worth the trouble.I bought it as a shooter and do enjoy it very much even if it looks alittle odd.

Voyageur · February 8, 2009, 02:07 AM

I found a fella that did powder coating on firearms and they turned out pretty darn nice. Sandblasting was included in the fee and all I had to do was disassemble the firearm. Price depends on the intricacy of the job and what is being charged in your area.

Inspector3711 · February 10, 2009, 10:44 PM

Hmmm... Black nickel might look nice on a Luger... Then do the trigger and extractor in white nickel......

February 7, 2009, 02:49 AM	#1
458winshooter Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Transplanted to Ridgeland,SC Posts: 606	To blue or not to blue that is the question I have a German Luger that has been given the chrome treatment and I am wondering if it would do anything to raise the value of the gun by reblueing it?All numbers on the gun match but not the clip and the chrome finish is chipping off of the end of the barrel.So what do you think?Thanks Russ

February 7, 2009, 03:18 AM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Russ That is a call that only a qualified refinisher can make. If the gun was polished and plated at a bumper chrome shop it probably would be too expensive to refinish it. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

February 7, 2009, 10:37 AM	#3
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	I think it's probably only worth it if it would sell the gun faster. I don't think you'll see something like if you spend 200 bucks to blue it, it will now be worth ~ 500 bucks, while if it was chromed it was worth ~ 300 bucks. I think it would sell faster but once you ruin the original finish, it's a shooter, not a collector. Hopefully someone will chime in and let us know what a chrome Luger is worth... __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/

February 7, 2009, 12:37 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	In general, refinishing a gun that has been refinished adds nothing to its value, and detracts nothing from its value. At this point it is a shooter, and even a restoration with rust bluing and nitre bluing of the appropriate parts will still be a restoration. But on the plus side, just about ANY Luger is going for absurd money these days. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 8, 2009, 12:58 AM	#5
458winshooter Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Transplanted to Ridgeland,SC Posts: 606	Luger Thanks for the replies I plan on keeping it but was just wondering if it would be worth the trouble.I bought it as a shooter and do enjoy it very much even if it looks alittle odd.

February 8, 2009, 02:07 AM	#6
Voyageur Member Join Date: October 28, 2008 Location: In the Shining Mountains Posts: 72	I found a fella that did powder coating on firearms and they turned out pretty darn nice. Sandblasting was included in the fee and all I had to do was disassemble the firearm. Price depends on the intricacy of the job and what is being charged in your area.

February 10, 2009, 10:44 PM	#7
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	Hmmm... Black nickel might look nice on a Luger... Then do the trigger and extractor in white nickel...... __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell