Broken take-down lever
 

Hi all, My 1917-1918 DWM has a broken take-down lever. Gun is #'s matching and I'm not sure which direction to go..I don't want to drop the value of the gun, but I would like to improve appearance. Lever does function as is. 1: Is it possible to have a new knob welded on and re-strawed? will it de-value? 2: purchase new lever and set aside broken lever ? Cheers, Andy

Your gun was issued to the Weimar police at one point. Tom Heller, "Luger Doc" on this forum will be able to help with a repair of this takedown lever or possibly have a matching number replacement.

Andrew..Policeluger specializes in repairing these. Is there a matching number anywhere on it?

Would a repaired or replacement lever affect value? Yes, If you replace it with a mismatched number it will devalue it. Leaving it as is devalues it.

I have to wonder how people break these off?

Jerry Burney

They don't know how to disassemble a Luger, so they use a screwdriver to pry on the takedown lever. They know it is supposed to rotate, but they don't know how to retract the slide to do it. I have owned a couple of Lugers that didn't have the takedown lever broken but the frame was all scratched up.

Thanks Jerry, yes the lever is a matching # 77. I would like to see what my options are because it really grates on me every time I look at it. Any ideas on how to contact Policeluger ? Ron, I agree with you on how It was broken. There is no issue on take-down as long as you know how to do it, it really is very smooth but a little awkward due to the short lever. The pistol was on display for several years and my guess is that was when it was damaged.

I hate to admit it, but it’s probably good for my character or judgment when it comes; but when first playing with lugers, I had a heck of a time getting those take down levers down and used force, luckily, never too much; by playing with it I would probably accidently move the receiver back and then it would turn. I was taught by Bill and others the correct way to take them down. It does not seem so easy when new to the game.

On more than one occasion tho, I have had take down levers that were tight as heck, i mean, no matter what they were about frozen. I imagine they are slightly bent and thus out of alignment?

Ed

I wonder that myself...the first thing I do with a strange pistol is run to my reference books and see how it comes apart...A good cleaning, and inspection of parts is my first priority...

How people can break grips, takedown levers, safety levers, etc (or hear a strange "sproing!") because they have no idea how it comes apart (but think they do) is beyond me... :rolleyes:

This is why gun show vendors do not allow takedown... :p