Luger cleaning guidence requested
 

I am in the process of making a short video on cleaning a P08 (German Luger). For this video I have decided to use procedures and methods used by the German military(everyone already knows how to use a Hoppie's kit). I have acquired a repo cleaning rod and am currently looking for a source for Flax. In addition I am looking for original guidance material that the soldiers would have used so I am sure my procedure, materials, and technique is correct. If anyone could point me in the right direction for obtaining these things, or some guidance on the cleaning itself, I would appreciate it.


Thanks,

Chris

Hi,

I wouldn't include the original cleaning methods, as it involved (now) substandard grease, vaseline and other gooish stuff that is no longer used for greasing up lugers.

What is important is the safety issue, the fact that the barrel/receiver combination is a fully functional firearm. There is actually a nice demonstration written in the police manuals by Herr Schmitt. It involves placing the complete luger upper on a wooden platform, held in place by a couple of large nails, the rear of the receiver held in place by another piece of wood (sort of a legde on the edge of the wooden board). Then touching off the sear bar :)

Gerben,
Thanks for the idea about touching off a round. I will include this in my fieldstrip video and will set off a case with primer instead. Maybe it is naive on my part to try to duplicate outdated methods, but I will at least try to show how to use this type of rod since it does come up from time to time. First I have to figure it out for myself which is part of the fun. :)


From the limited research I have done so far it appears that I may need â??towâ?? which is the fiber of the flax plant stem. It is available at Dixie gun works at http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product...9392f3dcb6eec.

Does this look right?
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/images/PA4500.jpg

I did find Flax yarn but it was purple. I could barley tell the flax yarn from cotton yarn. They both were soft but the cotton was slightly softer.

Here are two photos of my repo rod wrapped with hemp.
Does this look more correct? It fits the barrel very well.
The cleaning rod looks alot better than I expected for $5.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/logwrod.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/closeup.jpg

How about this, am I getting warmer.:)

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/scatteredhemp.jpg

Thanks,

Chris

Just ordered this Flax(Tow), When it gets here I will give it a try.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...8/HPIM2371.jpg

The Flax (tow) arrived today.

Does this look correct?

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/tow1s.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/tow2a.jpg

Thanks,


Chris

Chris, The TOW as you call it looks correct from what I remember. As I recall it was stranded somewhat but I suspect what you have shown is close enough. By the way, I did take a look at your Vidio's on Utube and they were very well done. A great service to the Novice and awfully gracious of you to give the Forum the rights and credit?

The only thing I could add to the loading tool Vidio is to start with where it comes from, the pocket in the top of the holster. Certainly no criticism, just an addition! Good Job...Jerry Burney

Jerry,

Thanks for the idea!

Im currently waiting on a deal from a friend for a 1938 holster to match my Luer. If/When I get it, I will add a shot of the tool coming out of the pocket.


Chris

Chris, I am a long time flintlock shooter. You have the tow almost perfect. If you want to be fussy you can hand twist it into a loose cord before you wrap it on the cleaning rod. If you use hot water to dip it in before swabbing you will find it swells up nicely. Water was favored for removing the salts from the old corrosive primers.

Here is the demonstradion that I made from this request.
Luger upper can fire video
I used the LugerForum logo in the opening and put credits at the end.

If anyone wants the opening or credits changed please let me know.
I included John Sabato, Tom Heller, and Gerben Van Vimmeren in the credits. I also thanked everyone in the forum.

Once the opening and credits are accepted I will attach them to all of the videos.

Here is the new field strip video.

Field strip luger

Here is the video of the reproduction cleaning rod in use.

cleaning rod use