1902 DWM Luger Carbine Rehab Project
 

Looking for someone in the San Diego, CA area to rehab this. This has been in the family a couple of generations, as you can tell it's a little beat up. The last thing I want to do is mess it up. Any cleaning tips would be greatly appreciated.
After I posted this I researched some previous posts. I'm really interested in what comments you have based off of the pics.

http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb19c29d.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...psc7e39230.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...psb45e0c65.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps892f23c5.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8068200a.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps221902e3.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps07b0a029.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...pse0a0c40e.jpg

Looks like you have what all Luger collectors can only dream about. My advice is clean up any grit or grime, do not scrub the grips, lightly oil the moving parts. Other than that, leave it alone, out of the holster and enjoy a true prize.
Mike

Absolutely fabulous! :)

And a big Thank You! for the pic with the stock attached! Despite repeated pleadings, you are the first to post a pic of a complete assembled carbine! :thumbup:

Full width grip safety...And scalloped toggle knobs...Does it have any letters/numbers/graphic on the chamber???

I would clean it up IMHO it doesnt need any restoration work at all. Its Beautiful as it is.

W

Thank you all for the replies. From reading some previous posts, I'm slowly learning of various models and variations. I also learned how to dissemble it partially so I took a couple more pics for you.
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...007642675B.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...007886845D.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...006E03EF07.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...006FDEAABE.jpg

Hi James,

First, welcome to the forum.

You have a very rare and valuable historically significant Luger Carbine.

Anything you do to try and "improve" it will only reduces it's value - both in terms of history and as a collectable.

Apart from taking Michael's advice to properly clean and lubricate it, don't attempt any kind of restoration or refinishing.

Let me repeat, in my opinion there is absolutely nothing wrong with your Luger Carbine that needs fixing...

I know that this is a family heirloom, but someday if you decide you need a new car and want to part with it to a good home, please give me a call... ;'}

Marc

You have a pretty nice example that has the early "one screw" stock, i.e. the stock iron is attached to the stock with ony one screw. This feature is considered a bit of a premium over the later and more numerous two screw stocks. The leather case appears contemporary to the carbine and is a somewhat rare accessory in its own right.
No attempt should be made to "restore" or refinish any of the rig (gun, stock, case). Just judicious and careful cleaning is all that should be done to preserve its value. Professional removal and cleaning of the stock iron plus replacement/restoration of the screw might be considered without diminishing the value, but it is not really necessary.
Congratulations on having a fine family heirloom.

Not to hijack the thread, but if you like them with the stocks attached...here you go.

Thanks Ron. A big Thanks! to FMF Squid [I think I know what that is! :D) ] for his pics!

It would be nice to see a large picture of individual assembled Luger w/stock attached, taken under diffused light, sharply in focus, without flash glare... :rolleyes:

I have issues with my Kodak EasyShare CX7430 digi-cam. It takes excellent close-up pics outside on cloudy day using macro setting. Inside, the macro setting is not so good - image is fuzzy and blurred (not from motion)...Unless flash is used...Then it comes in nice and sharp, but has glare problem... :mad:

i saw you post this on the CALGUNS forum.I'm not sure that was a .good idea.,as i'm pretty sure this might be throught of as a "Assult Weapon" in that state.This is from a former represed CA gun owner who now lives in Texas, a much freer state as per gun laws. I wouldn-take it shooting, some LEO might steal it from you and it would cost a lot of time and effort to get it back.

This stocked Luger is recognized by the ATF as a Curio and Relic, and is not considered a NFA firearm. Has California got some additional state regulations that would further control this specific firearm model? Considering the very high value of this Luger, I wouldn't ever consider firing it anyway... What did the last one at Rock Island Auctions sell for? $58K Marc

No worries, this will stay in the safe. Couple of years and I'll retire out of this state and escape California's gun laws

Congratulations on a very nice carbine. I would echo what others have said -- careful and proper cleaning would appear to be all that is called for.

Regarding California's assault weapons definition: if when assembled the overall length is under 30", the weapon in that configuration would be considered an assault weapon by CA law, and prohibited (unless registered with the state prior to 2000). The posession of the pistol and the stock does not constitute an assault weapon, as the state has no "constructive possession" clause in the assault weapons restrictions. Stocked C&R handguns are exempt from SBR definitions as long as they have an OAL-greater than 30", or are not centerfire.

You may well be over 30" OAL-- I have a long barreled Astra that is 30" with stock attached.

Enjoy your nice carbine!

Thank you for posting photos of that beautiful family heirloom. I now have a serious case of the "I wants"!! I also realize that those weapons are out of my league price wise.

One treatment that I like is rubbing it good with Lemon Oil. It makes for a nice lift to the finish and not a waxy feel.
Jack

Not to hijack either but I love wood. I use the old stand by Pledge with lemon oil on all the wood. Looks great for over 90 years.

("A big Thanks! to FMF Squid [I think I know what that is! ) ] for his pics!") :thumbup:

Beautiful weapon; and by the way "Doc," welcome to the forum.

Best Regards,

Gunny John

Here are some pics from the cleaning.
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...C80F3228AD.jpg
I discovered a break in this pic....so much for flawless.
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...C8118DA848.jpg
I'm reading through the forums to discover what these marks mean.
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...C813D87692.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...C815CCA5DA.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...C8179C8269.jpg
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...C819E63E1F.jpg

One question: Is that additional screw next to the attaching iron on the stock a factory feature?

This is the first stock I have seen with an additional screw in the stock wood at that location.

No, it seems as though someone tried to work on it in the past. The single screw in the stock looks like it's been over tightened a few times as well.

Your both right! I never noticed, I corrected the problem, tk

If I did anything to this rig, I would send the stock to one of our wood experts to have the crack above the comb stabilized, the screw removed and plugged and the attaching iron cleaned up and a possible new screw added.

Main spring question
 

This is the first time I have seen a carbine taken completly apart. Interesting how the frame differs than the regular lugers.

I was noticing the picture with the grips removed showing the main spring (Leaf type). I noticed how it has what looks like two different leafs springs in it. My 1900 doesnt look like that when my grips are removed.

Is this common for carbines or is this one damaged. Im jst curious cause I havent seen this gun taken apart before.

Attachment 31436

Edit - FMF Squid's mainspring is definitely broken. :(

IIRC, Tom Heller is out of those; but there is a guy on eBay who sells OEM dual-leaf 1900 mainsprings regularly. Check my thread in the 1900 Forum for pics & URLs.

I would suggest not trying to shoot it.

James -

If you can't find the eBay seller of the flat mainsprings, shoot me an IM and I'll dig out the auction or receipt for the mainspring I bought. The seller lists them pretty regularly. IIRC, they were $75...

Update -

James - If you are interested, the eBay seller [dealoftheday$] has a mainspring listed now -

EARLY GERMAN MODEL 1900 / 1902 LUGER PISTOL FLAT MAIN SPRING

This is a NOS flat mainspring for a early 1902 Luger pistol. It has minor surface rust from storage. Sorry no overseas shipping..

Shipping from area code 95370 Priority Mail plus Delivery Confirmation Cont. US. Calif. Res. Please add 7.75% sales tax.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EARLY-GERMAN...-/160958953383

http://home.earthlink.net/~dealofthe...gerspring1.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~dealofthe...gerspring2.jpg

They look worse in the pics than in front of you (in my case anyway).

Sweet! Thank you for looking out!

He could be a cook...or a laundryman... :p:rolleyes::D

What I'd really like to see is the carbine w/attached stock on a nice background, no shadows, as large as possible, and in focus...Thankyouverymuch!... :thumbup:

I didn't notice the crack (or the broken mainspring) but I agree that it is one of the things that I could not rest until it was fixed... :cheers:

I do currently have a couple of repaired (new front spring) original M1900 recoil springs in stock. TH

Rich,
I'm an old Electronic Warfare Technician who jumped over to the dark side an became an Information Warfare Officer.
Here is a pic with the stock attached. Outdoor natural light, but you can see that the sun was at a bad angle.
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4991077e.jpg

Tom,
Thank you for the reply. I'm currently bidding on the Ebay item but if that doesn't come through I will purchase from you.

Anyone,
Please shoot me a PM for recommendations on who to send this stock to.

Received the replacement recoil spring.
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps78484c8d.jpg

Now it's time to send the wood out.

Hugh Clark, your work is impressive! The wood looks beautiful.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p...3_124533-1.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-m...3_124456-1.jpg

Beautiful Work! ~~ Eric

Glad it got back home safely!:thumbsup:

We'll never know...The pics are gone... :crying:

Oh, curse you PhotoBucket, TinyPic, Google, SmugMug, etc... :soapbox: