LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Digfind acquired: 1920 rework of a WW1 artillery

Vlim · 12-30-2004, 02:03 PM

Hi,

The techniques used are quite simple and mostly consist of:

-Patience
-A large hammer (really)
-Lots and lost of WD40 and gun oil.
-A fine bladed knife that was used to cut out the rust from between tightfitting parts.

It's like a big puzzle, trying to free up parts, getting one part to move slightly in order to free up another.

The toggle was freed up by placing a large bolt all the way through the barrel until it touched the front of the breech (where the firing pin normally sticks out). You may want to drill a hole in the bolt (or metal pin) so it clears the firing pin tip.

Place the pistol firmly in a benchrest (wood blocks/cloth for protection) and gently free up the toggle by tapping the toggle backwards. Every time you manage to break a part free a little bit, coat whole bugger in oil and cut the muck out using the small blade (like a standard hobby knife). Once in a while, push back the toggle assembly to free up the action, then repeat.

Pry away as much debris from all nooks and crannies as you can.

My pistol had been in a fire and the receiver had deformed, making the task somewhat more difficult. Getting the takedown lever out was the most difficult part as I first had to get the toggle back far enough for the lever to rotate. Try tapping along the bottom of the knobs, combined with tapping against the rod in the barrel to free up the action. I got the knobs slightly freed up by inserting a flat blade screwdriver between the frame and the knobs, using the screwdriver as a lever.

All in all it was a fun project and it cost me quite some hours to get it separated, hindered by the (spent) case that was still in the chamber. The trigger guard sadly came off, but it was hanging by a few threads already. Locktited it in place for display purposes.

These are the parts I eventually managed to separate:
Please note that the full safety catch was also freed and is functional. The ejector spring is in a surprisingly good condition, as is the sear bar. The firing pin somewhat blew up in this pistol, so nothing but some debris was left. Most of the pin is still stuck inside the front toggle. The trigger is still functional and even the trigger spring could be identified.

12-30-2004, 02:03 PM	#23
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi, The techniques used are quite simple and mostly consist of: -Patience -A large hammer (really) -Lots and lost of WD40 and gun oil. -A fine bladed knife that was used to cut out the rust from between tightfitting parts. It's like a big puzzle, trying to free up parts, getting one part to move slightly in order to free up another. The toggle was freed up by placing a large bolt all the way through the barrel until it touched the front of the breech (where the firing pin normally sticks out). You may want to drill a hole in the bolt (or metal pin) so it clears the firing pin tip. Place the pistol firmly in a benchrest (wood blocks/cloth for protection) and gently free up the toggle by tapping the toggle backwards. Every time you manage to break a part free a little bit, coat whole bugger in oil and cut the muck out using the small blade (like a standard hobby knife). Once in a while, push back the toggle assembly to free up the action, then repeat. Pry away as much debris from all nooks and crannies as you can. My pistol had been in a fire and the receiver had deformed, making the task somewhat more difficult. Getting the takedown lever out was the most difficult part as I first had to get the toggle back far enough for the lever to rotate. Try tapping along the bottom of the knobs, combined with tapping against the rod in the barrel to free up the action. I got the knobs slightly freed up by inserting a flat blade screwdriver between the frame and the knobs, using the screwdriver as a lever. All in all it was a fun project and it cost me quite some hours to get it separated, hindered by the (spent) case that was still in the chamber. The trigger guard sadly came off, but it was hanging by a few threads already. Locktited it in place for display purposes. These are the parts I eventually managed to separate: Please note that the full safety catch was also freed and is functional. The ejector spring is in a surprisingly good condition, as is the sear bar. The firing pin somewhat blew up in this pistol, so nothing but some debris was left. Most of the pin is still stuck inside the front toggle. The trigger is still functional and even the trigger spring could be identified. Last edited by Vlim; 12-30-2004 at 02:32 PM.