Hi Jack,

Thank you for your comment.

The technique I use does not involve a lot of 'hard contact' with the checkering. Should the grip panels appear to be soft or 'punky' in consistency I don't clean them at all for the reason you mention.

I have learned that most Luger wood grip panels were made from Beech or Walnut. The grip panels on my 1900 are Beech as quarter-sawn Beech exhibits gold flecking highlights when rotated in sunlight (as these grip panels do).

Thank you for your comments.

Bill

If the grips are beech they are replacements. Beech came in around late 1917. Original 1900's were always walnut, and often with wonderful dark streaks. The safety's bright area has incorrect tool marks. Original tool marks were circular and cut with about a 1/4" end mill not straight line like as shown. Still a very nice pistol!

Bill

You're right about the "punky" wood of some grips, that happened to me when not long ago as I tried to "revitalize" some ooooooold and somehow really used and abused grips, I felt as if I was handling a piece of wood from Ancient Rome... :rolleyes:

I also use a short, fine brush for the reasons you mention. Also in inspecting Luger grips and tooth brush bristles under a microscope, most of the grime in the grips is at the base of the checkering grooves; bristles on a toothbrush are too thick to reach the bottom of the grooves.

Here is a picture of the type of holster I have that appears in "The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols" by Joachim Gortz and Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess, Vol III, page 1171 (red covers).

Comments always welcome.

Bill