Walther HP coming... but need Grip Repair

mrerick · 12-12-2012, 01:26 PM

Hi,

Recently acquired a 1941 vintage Walther HP in average condition, only to discover that the left bakelite grip has had some damage.

It's missing a reinforcement washer, and had been screwed down quite tight. The interior shows damage that I would like to repair and stabilize.

Any recommended approaches to this?

Thanks, Marc

mrerick · 12-12-2012, 03:56 PM

Yes - it is a Heeres Pistole (Army Pistol) commercially proofed with a Eagle/N on the slide, barrel and locking wedge. Not one of those bought by the army (there were some HPs that made it to the Wehrmacht)...

Luckily this grip hasn't cracked all the way through the grip yet, but I want to provide support on the inside to prevent failure in the future.

I'll have pictures coming soon. It's in pretty decent used condition with a buggered after market magazine and a dark bore. I'd say 90% or so original high gloss blue finish coverage.

Hadn't been lubricated or cleaned in decades, and needs a good cleaning (which I'm working on before the pictures). In the 11,6xx serial range, putting it into a group in April-May 1941.

Would an epoxy resin work as well?

I also need to inspect another P.38 grip to see if something is missing from the hole on the outside of the grip.

Marc

mrerick · 12-13-2012, 11:13 AM

I've also posted this to the p38forum.com site and have gotten some advice on approaching applying the resin.

Today, I got to more closely inspect the grip. The metal escutcheon that supports the screw had, in fact, been pushed down from it's normal position to press directly against the frame after the supporting bakelite at it's base had been broken out.

I also found a hairline crack leading from the grip screw hole area up about .8 inches (2cm). This clearly needs to be stabilized.

After cleaning the bakelite above the escutcheon I found that there were rib indentations visible. The outside of the escutcheon has these ribs. I used a small amount of dry lube and was able to carefully press the escutcheon back up to it's normal position.

Next up, I need to build up the broken out area with slow setting epoxy resin.

Marc

12-12-2012, 01:26 PM	#1
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Walther HP coming... but need Grip Repair Hi, Recently acquired a 1941 vintage Walther HP in average condition, only to discover that the left bakelite grip has had some damage. It's missing a reinforcement washer, and had been screwed down quite tight. The interior shows damage that I would like to repair and stabilize. Any recommended approaches to this? Thanks, Marc Attached Thumbnails __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-12-2012, 03:56 PM	#2
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Yes - it is a Heeres Pistole (Army Pistol) commercially proofed with a Eagle/N on the slide, barrel and locking wedge. Not one of those bought by the army (there were some HPs that made it to the Wehrmacht)... Luckily this grip hasn't cracked all the way through the grip yet, but I want to provide support on the inside to prevent failure in the future. I'll have pictures coming soon. It's in pretty decent used condition with a buggered after market magazine and a dark bore. I'd say 90% or so original high gloss blue finish coverage. Hadn't been lubricated or cleaned in decades, and needs a good cleaning (which I'm working on before the pictures). In the 11,6xx serial range, putting it into a group in April-May 1941. Would an epoxy resin work as well? I also need to inspect another P.38 grip to see if something is missing from the hole on the outside of the grip. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-13-2012, 11:13 AM	#3
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	I've also posted this to the p38forum.com site and have gotten some advice on approaching applying the resin. Today, I got to more closely inspect the grip. The metal escutcheon that supports the screw had, in fact, been pushed down from it's normal position to press directly against the frame after the supporting bakelite at it's base had been broken out. I also found a hairline crack leading from the grip screw hole area up about .8 inches (2cm). This clearly needs to be stabilized. After cleaning the bakelite above the escutcheon I found that there were rib indentations visible. The outside of the escutcheon has these ribs. I used a small amount of dry lube and was able to carefully press the escutcheon back up to it's normal position. Next up, I need to build up the broken out area with slow setting epoxy resin. Marc Attached Thumbnails __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.