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Heinz · 09-06-2007, 09:22 PM

Dwight, I think first we have to differentiate what is meant by tooling. This term could encompass:
1) standard machine tools such as milling machines, lathes, slotters, drill presses, planers, etcetera
2) completely custom machine tools for specialized tasks, a rifling machine or horizontal boring machine for barrels for instance
3) specialized jigs and fixtures for adopting a standard machine tool to a special task, examples would be mounting fixtures for aligning and holding the barrel for cutting the sight dovetail, or the taper guides for the lathes cutting the barrel taper.
4) specialized tools such as the tool for installing the recoil spring and the tool for adjusting the front sight.

Using this framework I would suggest that we look at the Krieghoff claim that the Simson "tooling" was worn out. Surely the machine tools would not have been worn out beyond repair. These machinists thought nothing of replacing bearing, guides, chucks and other wearing parts to keep a machine functioning. In my youth I worked on a number of old belt drive "jack shaft" operated tools that had been converted to electric power. Custom machine tool might wear out but it is difficult to imagine they would be beyond repair. Jigs and fixtures wear out rather regularly and are simple replaced. Specialized tools are the same as jigs and fixtures. Either buy or make new ones when they wear out. I suspect Krieghoffs claim that they had to throw everything out and start over was simply a ploy to get paid a premium price for overhauling the Simson machinery. That kind of graft was par for the Third Reich.

When production halts the specialized machine tools, hand tools and jigs and fixtures are store scrapped or modified. Often this kind of tooling reflects the culture of the workplace where it was born. I have a seventy year old drill press in my shop and I love it. A mechanic used to new tools would say he would not waste his time on it. Moving Swiss custom tools, jigs and fixtures to Mauser in the 1960's and 70's could have met with a cultural rejection.

It would be valuable to have a detailed account of the 1960s Mauser production and tooling. It would be informative on the methods necessary.

I would suggest that much of the intrinsic appeal of the early Lugers comes from the human element of craftsmenship inherent in their making. They have a certain soul that a CNC made piece will never have.

09-06-2007, 09:22 PM	#5
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 411 Times in 180 Posts	Dwight, I think first we have to differentiate what is meant by tooling. This term could encompass: 1) standard machine tools such as milling machines, lathes, slotters, drill presses, planers, etcetera 2) completely custom machine tools for specialized tasks, a rifling machine or horizontal boring machine for barrels for instance 3) specialized jigs and fixtures for adopting a standard machine tool to a special task, examples would be mounting fixtures for aligning and holding the barrel for cutting the sight dovetail, or the taper guides for the lathes cutting the barrel taper. 4) specialized tools such as the tool for installing the recoil spring and the tool for adjusting the front sight. Using this framework I would suggest that we look at the Krieghoff claim that the Simson "tooling" was worn out. Surely the machine tools would not have been worn out beyond repair. These machinists thought nothing of replacing bearing, guides, chucks and other wearing parts to keep a machine functioning. In my youth I worked on a number of old belt drive "jack shaft" operated tools that had been converted to electric power. Custom machine tool might wear out but it is difficult to imagine they would be beyond repair. Jigs and fixtures wear out rather regularly and are simple replaced. Specialized tools are the same as jigs and fixtures. Either buy or make new ones when they wear out. I suspect Krieghoffs claim that they had to throw everything out and start over was simply a ploy to get paid a premium price for overhauling the Simson machinery. That kind of graft was par for the Third Reich. When production halts the specialized machine tools, hand tools and jigs and fixtures are store scrapped or modified. Often this kind of tooling reflects the culture of the workplace where it was born. I have a seventy year old drill press in my shop and I love it. A mechanic used to new tools would say he would not waste his time on it. Moving Swiss custom tools, jigs and fixtures to Mauser in the 1960's and 70's could have met with a cultural rejection. It would be valuable to have a detailed account of the 1960s Mauser production and tooling. It would be informative on the methods necessary. I would suggest that much of the intrinsic appeal of the early Lugers comes from the human element of craftsmenship inherent in their making. They have a certain soul that a CNC made piece will never have.