The white inlay

Sticker · 10-17-2006, 07:01 PM

Howdy

I am in negotiation for a 1917 DWM P08. Seller claims bore is "minty" and very minor blemishes on left side. His words not mine. I have seen a picture of the right side and the surface does look good, and no dents in the grips.

What I was wondering, I don't see any white color inlay in the proof marks.

I don't know about the date or toggel crest yet.

In the Members Gallery, second page, there is a 1916 DWM and it has all white inlay. If there is no white anywhere, would this be a tip off on a "perfect pistol" that it has been reblued, and therefore not original?

Thanks

Ron Smith · 10-17-2006, 07:08 PM

Hi Stephen,

The "white inlay" is an application like laquer stick or high lighting of some type. This is added by collectors so that the markings will show in photos. Lugers did not originally have anything in the markings, with the exception of the "Geischert" forward of the safety lever.

Always request a 3 day non-firing inspection when buying remotely. Any honest or reputible seller will usually offer this.

Ron

Edward Tinker · 10-17-2006, 07:08 PM

Only the Geischert ever had white in it. All the whiting you see is to show the proofs, acceptance or manufacturer name.

Ed

Pete Ebbink · 10-17-2006, 07:14 PM

If a seller is willing to take your $ 2000 to $ 3000 for a nice artillery, he should certainly send you more than one (1) photo of the right side.

If he refuses, you might consider shopping elsewhere...

One photo offered, in my expereince, is usually of the best side...

Sticker · 10-17-2006, 08:30 PM

Hi Again

Boy, them were fast replies.

Thanks for the shopping tips. I hope to work out a trade, so if he is into it, we will both want to see the merchandise for real and not just pictures. He lives a half hour away.

Just curious, what do collectors use for the white stuff? Product name? Best way of applying? Any collector want to enlighten us? It does look cool!

P.S. Hats off to the smart guy/gal that had the good sense to add a spell checker on a forum.

Wish they all did

Ron Smith · 10-17-2006, 08:43 PM

You can get it from Brownell's. It's called Laquer Stick. It comes in different colors also.

Hugh · 10-17-2006, 10:37 PM

Laquer sticks can be bought at auto supply stores, they are used to whiten the lettering on automobile tires.

Steinar · 10-18-2006, 04:31 AM

For one time use, only to take a couple of photos, you can also use 'Tipex'. Not sure if it is sold where you live, but it's a pen to whiten out misspelling (very handy for me

) If you rub the marking with a oil soaked cloth afterwards, it can easily go off.

Edward Tinker · 10-18-2006, 04:51 AM

MK, I bought some of these, requires a steady hand (easier for folks who are used to shaking from extreme cold)

It worked well, but I had trouble getting it into the right places, i.e. it bled over, at least the "pen" I used.

Ed

Alx · 10-18-2006, 08:38 PM

I think a Luger looks better without the white .... plus it partially obscures the actual appearance details of some stampings.

MFC · 10-19-2006, 03:38 AM

Hello all,
Was the original "stuff" in GESICHERT just paint or what? Mike C.

Steinar · 10-19-2006, 04:03 AM

Mike, not sure what you mean, but it was some white/yellow paint. Not being present any more, is not necessarily a sign of reblueing at some time. Often the paint vanish by normal wear and cleaning.

Ed, since both my hands are frozen to ice, I use my thumb or a piece of my wifeÃ¢??s silk underwear to wipe out what's not in the mark.. When dry, the Luger can be handed in a normal way. But this is just about as permanent as the hot feeling of peeing in the pants when your knees are cold

MFC · 10-19-2006, 04:56 AM

Thanks Morgan ,
MikeC.

Dwight Gruber · 10-19-2006, 01:20 PM

Mike,

As I have been informed, the material specified to fill the GESICHERT was white sealing wax.

--Dwight

MFC · 10-20-2006, 12:28 AM

Thanks Dwight,
Wax? This too would be as permanent as Morgan described.
Mike C.

chuck watts · 10-20-2006, 05:48 PM

Mike:

I was told many years ago that white lead was used to color in the safety area of Lugers at the time of manufacture. At first it's white, however within a few months turns a yellow color and remains so unless disturbed.

Chuck Watts

MFC · 10-20-2006, 08:31 PM

Hi Chuck,
We've all heard of lead paint that's now illegal because people were getting lead poisoning (babies eating paint chips). Do you think it could be a high lead concentrated version. Just wondering.
Thanks for the input,
Mike C.

chuck watts · 10-20-2006, 09:56 PM

Hi Mike:

As I recall, white lead was made for mixing with paint. In the USA I believe it was sold under the Dutch Boy paint label. It contained about
85-90% white lead and the remainder was linseed oil.

Chuck Watts

reich1900 · 10-20-2006, 10:01 PM

I find that if you just want to color in the markings for pictures I use a white piece of chalk. The kind that they use on a school chalk board. Just fill in the mark and rub over it and it's a piece of cake to remove and wouldn't harm the gun in any way. Cheap too.
Bernie

MFC · 10-20-2006, 10:19 PM

Learning more every day.
Thanks guys,
Mike C.

10-17-2006, 07:01 PM	#1
Sticker User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The white inlay Howdy I am in negotiation for a 1917 DWM P08. Seller claims bore is "minty" and very minor blemishes on left side. His words not mine. I have seen a picture of the right side and the surface does look good, and no dents in the grips. What I was wondering, I don't see any white color inlay in the proof marks. I don't know about the date or toggel crest yet. In the Members Gallery, second page, there is a 1916 DWM and it has all white inlay. If there is no white anywhere, would this be a tip off on a "perfect pistol" that it has been reblued, and therefore not original? Thanks

10-17-2006, 07:08 PM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Stephen, The "white inlay" is an application like laquer stick or high lighting of some type. This is added by collectors so that the markings will show in photos. Lugers did not originally have anything in the markings, with the exception of the "Geischert" forward of the safety lever. Always request a 3 day non-firing inspection when buying remotely. Any honest or reputible seller will usually offer this. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-17-2006, 08:43 PM	#6
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	You can get it from Brownell's. It's called Laquer Stick. It comes in different colors also. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-17-2006, 10:37 PM	#7
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 166 Times in 65 Posts	Laquer sticks can be bought at auto supply stores, they are used to whiten the lettering on automobile tires. __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

10-18-2006, 04:31 AM	#8
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	For one time use, only to take a couple of photos, you can also use 'Tipex'. Not sure if it is sold where you live, but it's a pen to whiten out misspelling (very handy for me) If you rub the marking with a oil soaked cloth afterwards, it can easily go off. __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

10-17-2006, 07:08 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	Only the Geischert ever had white in it. All the whiting you see is to show the proofs, acceptance or manufacturer name. Ed

10-17-2006, 07:14 PM	#4
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	If a seller is willing to take your $ 2000 to $ 3000 for a nice artillery, he should certainly send you more than one (1) photo of the right side. If he refuses, you might consider shopping elsewhere... One photo offered, in my expereince, is usually of the best side...

10-17-2006, 08:30 PM	#5
Sticker User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Again Boy, them were fast replies. Thanks for the shopping tips. I hope to work out a trade, so if he is into it, we will both want to see the merchandise for real and not just pictures. He lives a half hour away. Just curious, what do collectors use for the white stuff? Product name? Best way of applying? Any collector want to enlighten us? It does look cool! P.S. Hats off to the smart guy/gal that had the good sense to add a spell checker on a forum. Wish they all did

10-18-2006, 04:51 AM	#9
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	MK, I bought some of these, requires a steady hand (easier for folks who are used to shaking from extreme cold) It worked well, but I had trouble getting it into the right places, i.e. it bled over, at least the "pen" I used. Ed

10-18-2006, 08:38 PM	#10
Alx User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nashville, Tennessee area Posts: 263 Thanks: 5 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I think a Luger looks better without the white .... plus it partially obscures the actual appearance details of some stampings.

10-19-2006, 03:38 AM	#11
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Hello all, Was the original "stuff" in GESICHERT just paint or what? Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

10-19-2006, 04:03 AM	#12
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Mike, not sure what you mean, but it was some white/yellow paint. Not being present any more, is not necessarily a sign of reblueing at some time. Often the paint vanish by normal wear and cleaning. Ed, since both my hands are frozen to ice, I use my thumb or a piece of my wifeÃ¢??s silk underwear to wipe out what's not in the mark.. When dry, the Luger can be handed in a normal way. But this is just about as permanent as the hot feeling of peeing in the pants when your knees are cold __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

10-19-2006, 04:56 AM	#13
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Thanks Morgan , MikeC. __________________ Mike C.

10-19-2006, 01:20 PM	#14
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Mike, As I have been informed, the material specified to fill the GESICHERT was white sealing wax. --Dwight

10-20-2006, 12:28 AM	#15
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Thanks Dwight, Wax? This too would be as permanent as Morgan described. Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

10-20-2006, 05:48 PM	#16
chuck watts User Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mike: I was told many years ago that white lead was used to color in the safety area of Lugers at the time of manufacture. At first it's white, however within a few months turns a yellow color and remains so unless disturbed. Chuck Watts __________________ chuck watts

10-20-2006, 08:31 PM	#17
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Hi Chuck, We've all heard of lead paint that's now illegal because people were getting lead poisoning (babies eating paint chips). Do you think it could be a high lead concentrated version. Just wondering. Thanks for the input, Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

10-20-2006, 09:56 PM	#18
chuck watts User Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Mike: As I recall, white lead was made for mixing with paint. In the USA I believe it was sold under the Dutch Boy paint label. It contained about 85-90% white lead and the remainder was linseed oil. Chuck Watts __________________ chuck watts

10-20-2006, 10:01 PM	#19
reich1900 User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Posts: 59 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I find that if you just want to color in the markings for pictures I use a white piece of chalk. The kind that they use on a school chalk board. Just fill in the mark and rub over it and it's a piece of cake to remove and wouldn't harm the gun in any way. Cheap too. Bernie

10-20-2006, 10:19 PM	#20
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Learning more every day. Thanks guys, Mike C. __________________ Mike C.