Ill-fitting grips?
 

Hello everyone!

I just got my first Luger (1916 DWM, all #s match [img]smile.gif[/img] )....very nice, I'm quite happy with it; I have one question so far:

The wooden grips seem to be ill-fitting, especially along the front of the frame. There seems to be a small "ledge" between the wood and the steel, perhaps 1/32" or so...and the grips are a tad loose (they shift front-to-back a tiny bit)

Is this how they're supposed to fit, or is something loose or worn?

Thx...also one other minor question: "strawing"...is the gold color supposed to be very light (almost indiscernable) or more bright/bold?

I've always wanted a Luger...and just before Xmas, too!!

[img]smile.gif[/img]

John,

There is a small rib of wood on the inside front of the grips. This rib is supposed to fit against the inside edge of the front grip frame. It sounds like yours is resting on the side of the grip frame instead of inside. Remove one grip and look at the fit of the other side through the frame. You will be able to see where it is too wide. Take a small file or sandpaper on a flat popsicle stick and cut the front of the rib down where it is too thick until it will slip inside the frame. This will make them fit properly and stop the movement of the grip.

The strawing is bright on new or mint condition guns, from there it can fade to a light yellow then to a silver color with age and exposure to sunlight.

Great, thanks! I'll look at the grips tonight...as for the strawing, before I got it I didn't know what it was, really...as I was looking at the pistol last night, I saw "flashes" of gold-looking metal...otherwise, it's just silverish. Very cool detail! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Now if I just had about 10 more of these... [img]wink.gif[/img]

Watch what Hugh is saying. He means cutting or sanding the outside of the grips and not the underside ridge. With original grips this should not be necessary after 50 plus years of usage. Make sure that you are installing them properly first, before you do any cutting. But maybe you have something very unusual. If your grips are still loose even after you fit them in properly, then try putting "O" rings on the screws. Don't crank the screws into place. but do tighten.
The proper size for the "O Rings" is:

#5 OR 3/8 x 1/4 x 1/16

These work perfectly on 1940 "42" and "Black Widow Grips".

17 cents at Home Depot.
Big Norm <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Ok, I took the grips off and noticed the right side has a (glued) crack forward of the hole for the screw...it creates a very minor gap, but over the distance to the edge (perhaps 3/8") it appears to distort the shape *just enough* to prevent it seating properly.

The wooden ridge is intact on both grips.

The left grip appears to seat properly, but the leading edge of it still seems a touch excessive...not as much as the right, but still noticable (ie, you can catch it with your fingernail)

Both grips have very good checkering...perhaps these are not "original" (as-issued) grips? Medium-colored wood, with an impression on both grips, on the inside:

This shape, roughly:
____ ____
\___\ /___/
\___\/__/

with the numbers "855" under it.
The right side grip also has a "V" chevron/device/letter.

I will keep everything "as is" for now...no sense in me tinkering with something 'till I know more about it...

[img]smile.gif[/img]

MMmmm...this might sound like a "Duh!" question, but does anyone have links to sites (other than this one [img]wink.gif[/img] ) or suggestions as to which books one may buy to learn about the P-08? Assume I know nothing about them (true) and wouldn't want a 900-page dissertation on the nuances of toggle knurling... [img]wink.gif[/img] but rather a book on proof marks and how to "read" the pistol to learn a little of its history.

Thx!!


<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

JohnB, welcome, I am on the other side of the state!

There are other forums, but this one probably has almost everything you need [img]biggrin.gif[/img] and is specifically on Lugers, although I also go to other forums and enjoy them also, [img]wink.gif[/img]

Anyway, on your left (provided you came into www.lugerforum.com ) is Techical and General Information. Here you can research and learn.

Also, you can do "searches" for information, there have been several write ups on Luger Books, parts, markings, years etc.

Several are very specific, but if I was you, I would look for Jan C. Stills Imperial Lugers, it is excellent and has specific info on WW1 Lugers.

Ed

As much as we Luger Guys like to think our pistols are perfectly fitted. I have found WW1 and WW2 matchsticks in half a dozen not messed with Lugers grips. Matching numbers and all. Lets face it , they were out in the elements and stuff. My experience is many years old and cannot be documented; however, I think they were guys like you and me and used a handy spacer. <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />

John B, It sounds like you have WW2 Mauser Eagle/655 replacement grips on your WW1 luger. The originals should have had the last 2 digits of the serial # stamped inside. If you let me know the 2 digits that you need for your 1916 DWM, I'll be happy to let you know what I have in stock. Tom H.

Last two numbers are "51"...

[img]smile.gif[/img]

I just tried the "O" ring idea on my 41 Luger. I acquired a left side black grip and when I tried it, it fit loosely. I was surprised. The "O" ring worked like a champ; and sine it's black on black, it is hardly noticeable. For what it may be worth, I tried that same grip on the Luger closest to where I was working (a 1906 Navy) and it fit that gun very snuggily. Isn't that a hoot? I don't know what to make of that fact; but I was surprised and pleased, I think.
thanks
Jack