Broken extractor
 

My client sent me several parts to straw finish. All went well until I started on the extractor and heard one of the extractor ears fly off the part. I noticed the other ear also had a crack the entire depth of the part. I don't remember seeing this before. How common is this? Thanks. Email sent to Lugerdoc for a replacement.

I am with you Ted... I have never heard of this type of failure on a Luger extractor before. How about a photo?

The cracks appear to have started at the corners which are high stress areas. So I assume they are stress fractures from the firing sequence. Perhaps trying to extract a case stuck in the chamber?:(
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/VPExtract1.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/VPExtract2.JPG

Ted, One would think the extractor lips would be damaged first before the ears? In your photo the metal looks weird? Can you tell if the extractor is an original? I have not seen this before and I have had several extractor failures on DWM's. Usually it is the small hook on the bottom to hold it in. Mauser beefed up this on it's extractors.

Jerry, I don't know, it was pitted that contributes to the weird look. Lugerdoc has a replacement thank goodness.

I have only had two extractors break on me, to date, and both had it occur on 1/2 of the extractor blade. The break was on the right side only(as you hold the gun to fire it). This is a new one to me. Thanks for posting.

Never seen extractors broke there.
The lip that goes under the pin is what usally breaks off.
But considering the poor surface (pitting) it feels like the parts have been fairly much stressed.

Weird. Looks to me as if the ear was stressed from the front, maybe as the bolt was going into battery ?
John

I agree with John. Perhaps the barrel was changed in this luger, without proper attention to the groove for the extractor being deep enough or correctly positioned. Jerry also makes a good point about the wide spread pitting. Perhaps if this PO8 was in a fire or flood, and then fired with weaked springs, it's liable to break anywhere. TH