[mrerick]

The grip will swell as it absorbs moisture.

My biggest concern would be what happens to the Luger frame after re-mounting the now moist wood. This could accelerate corrosion, so keep an eye on it.

When I treat dented rifle stocks, I use a steam cleaner nozzle against terry cloth just over the wood being treated. After the treatment, I dry the stock for several days in moderate warmth. For example, inside a vented black plastic bag on the dashboard of a car in the sun. After thorough drying, I re-seal the wood by hand rubbing multiple coats of boiled linseed oil (diluted slightly with mineral spirits). 0000 steel wool between coats.

In this way, the pores of the wood are again dry, and have been stabilized with the oil.

Marc