My experience with Eugene, the lugerman
 

I read much about the complaints about Eugene for a year or more. Well, I ordered a 1920 makeover into a carbine back in March. He basically said he felt that he would get it done in 12 months - the normal promised time. Most of the time, he answered my e-mails; inquiring of the progress. But a few times he didn't. I never growled at him and never complained. I treated him with respect and as a customer would a talented vendor-craftsman.
Guess what? A week or so ago, he e-mailed me and said he might have it for me in 3 or 4 days. On Sunday he said it was finished. I went to his place (350 miles) and picked it up on Wednesday. It's a beaut.
See some pictures attached.

Very cool, a carbine is high on my listing.

I am glad he got it to you 'early' although his normal promise time of 12 months seems like a long time to me :)


Ed

Ed, yeah..the older you get the longer it is..less time to enjoy it I guess? Does look like a beauty.

Jerry, thats a brilliant observation! I have to rearrange my priorities! I'm interested to find out if it was serial numbered and if so what is it? Do all firearms require one?

The serial number is: 9086 n; if it matters.
Jack

Thank You! I am very happy that you are happy! Nice stocking stuffer!

RE: Lugerman
 

My experience with talented craftsmen is the same as yours. It is best to let them do what they are good at and not be concerned so much about the other items. Given the choice between a great restoration of a piece of history or an excellent communication series, I can assure you I want the work done well. It would be nice to have both, but my experience with these technical types is that they do excellent work and communicate poorly. I spent a career managing these types so I understand. I have sent to Lugerman my Luger which has languished in a drawer in pieces since the 1960's. I was told in the '70's by a gunsmith that because of it's lack of rarity it was not worth restoring. I put it back in the drawer. Since I am now an official "Old Fart" I made the decision to have it restored anyway. Not concerned about the value because it is not for sale. After reviewing his work on his Website, I sent it to Lugerman for assessment. He followed up quickly with a phone call and we discussed the restoration plan. We will see what happens. I can assure you that I will not contact him until we are approaching the agreed upon finish date. I trust his judgement on what the pistol needed and I trust his judgement on the timing. It is now in his court. Your pistol is absolutely remarkable. I hope mine turns out as good - I will be a happy camper! I have attached a photo of what I sent him - some missing pieces, but numbers matching.

Cap
That looks like very nice work. Congratulations !!!!! Bill

It is refreshing to hear someone say something nice about Eugene's work... :)

I think it is outstanding... :thumbup:

I wonder how long it would have taken for you to get it if you didn't go to pick it up, 350 miles, one way? Are you kidding?

Re: Lugerman
 

What did you send him to end up with such a magnicificent piece? What did he have to work with?

My daughter lives 40 miles from Eugene so I knew all along that I would be going after it; thereby get to inspect it; and visit with my daughter and her family. So my grandson and I made a nice trip out of the occasion.
I paid for the donor. He purchased it. According to the numbers it might have started as a commercial navy. I'm not sure.
Jack

That is a valid point. Two years ago, I drove 17 1/2 hours round trip to pick up a rescue dog [Weimaraner]. Lockport NY to White Plains NY. One end of the state to the other. Cost me $200 in gas + tolls.

I'll do it for a dog, but not for a gun. :thumbup:

Jerry Hand Makes A Beautiful Leather Carbine Carrier!
 

A must for your new carbine! Eric

...???...Who is Jerry Hand??? Does he have a web site??? :confused:

Sorry its Jerry Burney who makes by hand beautiful beautiful leather works. Pull up anything leather and he is there! I'm sure he will post as soon as he sees this!

Eric, Thanks! You are a one man propaganda arm for Luger Holster Repair! Always nice to see some of my work so I don't mind.
I had talked to several people, might have been Eugene, about leather carry cases for his carbines but there is a problem I don't really know how to solve..His barrel length is some 4 inches longer than a normal German carbine. So a case would be a little awkward because of that.

WOW!!!I just noticed! It would be like fitting a rifle. !!

Out of necessity, new made carbines will have at least a 16" barrel.

How Many Barrel Lenghs Were There?
 

Heres a few!

Barrel length
 

The lengths are displayed in several Luger variation books. I think it was 24, just from memory.
Jack

Thank You! Were barrels interchangeable?

Not sure.
 

I don't know much about the mechanics but I think the barrels are interchangeable as long as sticking with: short frame - short frame, etc.
At the shop they would machine the barrel to fit if need be. Hopefully, the pros will give us the real scoop.

Jack

Does the length and diameter of the barrel effect the size of the load!

Loads
 

Yes, he says to use Fiocchi loads to get good cycling; also to get good cycling to shoot with the stock attached. I fired 7 rounds before returning home. Noticed a small crack in the stock after the firing and returning home. Waiting to hear if the crack could be a stress fracture. Don't know of what to think of the crack. Didn't beat on it with a hammer - not at those prices, I assure you.

My way of thinking (and I am no engineer) is that if energy needs to be transferred to the stock, for good action, could the energy be excessive and show up in a piece of weak wood in the stock??

Awaiting word from Eugene.
It makes sense that longer barrels need more thrust to get velocity.
Jack

It bears notice that substantially reworked guns cease to qualify as Curios and Relics, and become subject to the NFA SBR registration provisions. In other words, a replica of the Luger carbine requires a $200 stamp for legal attachment of the shoulder stock.

Should I assume this doesnt apply to our legit lugers? Is the stamp transferable?

Most modern carbine replicas, including those made by John Martz, have barrels of 16-inches or longer thus eliminating them from SBR restrictions and the $200 stamp. They are legal with a stock attached.

Certain stocked handguns, such as original semiautomatic Mauser C96 "Broomhandles" and Luger carbines, Artilleries, Navies, Finnish 7.65 mm M/23 and 9 mm M/08 pistols, and American Eagles with the Ideal holster stock, have been removed from the purview of the NFA as collectors' items. [26 U.S.C. 5845, 27 CFR 479.11] The one-time transfer tax stamp must be purchased by each transferee.

That is true, but they no longer qualify as Curios and Relics.

Ron is it legal to shoot without the stock??? Would it be considered altered?

Eric
If you have an original and original or reproduction stock for a Navy or Artillery you may shoot them in both stocked and non stocked configuration. Bill

Received my Luger back from Eugene today. The work is fabulous by my definition. I am very happy with the results. He promised the pistol by the end of February - it showed up on 2/27. I am sure others may have had bad experiences, but mine has been great. He did what he said he was going to do, the work is excellent and I got it on time. I will try to get decent photos but I have tried and they do not depict the pistol fairly. I'll keep working on it.

Very nice. He does some very good work.
dju

Eugene is an excellent craftsman, but an average communicator. If you have a complete understanding prior to commitment, Eugene usually comes through.

Watson Luger by Lugerman
 

Attached are some photos sent to me by Eugene. These were taken before he made the grips for my Luger. Obviously, his photography skills are beyond mine. It's a shame I can't get better photos myself because the grips he made and the fit of them to the pistol are perfect.:thumbup:

Thanks for the USUALLY :cheers:

More pictures
 

Here are some pictures of that project posted by customers request.

Thanks.

A carbine that started this post wad started as a DWM 1920 Commercial

All wood: Stock, forearm, grips and wood bottom made from same wood block.

Barrel is green mountain barrels blank, turned.
Front and rear sight made from 4140 block of steel.

Hope that helps.

Thanks.

Sorry, Eugene. Perhaps "eventually" would have been more appropriate. You cannot deny, however, that issues have existed in the past.