Steps in making a Carbine by Lugerman

[Edward Tinker]

Ok, I don't have it yet, but hoping it is getting to the end

My process started in March 2013 and he was upfront and told me it would likely be 10-12 months. As each month goes by I get more excited.

So, heres the story, I have read almost everything on Lugerman, AKA Eugene, I know he can be slow, but I have talked to him on phone and email and know he tries his best. In fact, most of the restore experts take a long time, as it takes time to strip, sand properly, then fix and reblue items. Literally months if they were only working on these items. And most of the experts I know don't do this for a living but as a hobby.

I started out discussing what kind of carbine I wanted. Did I want to use a DWM frame and be traditional?
Did I want to use a Simson frame and do it that way (my main choice, but to recreate all the eagle 6's correctly would be excessive IMO)
So, I had a G date, almost the very beginning of Mauser, so pre-war. I used cash and many trade parts for the carbine, plus supplying some of the components. I supplied a mix master G date (which I found out later was really parts of all ages ), supplied on purpose two fairly uncommon but beautiful Chrome plated Schmeisser flat button magazines (police) and two new blank bottoms of aluminum. Eugene usually uses wood, but he said he would make me a fantasy G date carbine in 9mm.

Since I am about 35 miles from where he lives, I plan on bugging him in person and seeing how things are

As a long standing member of the LugerForum, and a moderator there, I am very enthusiastic about Eugene's excellent work in re-creating some of the most iconic pistols of the 20th century...

[sheepherder]

I've seen pics of Eric's carbine that Eugene did, and it's just slightly short of beautiful!!!
I grabbed a couple of his carbine pics.

Now, for the questions...What is the difference between these two...





I can see that one has a barrel mounted 4-position carbine rear sight, and the other has a 2-position (?) toggle mounted rear sight...

Did Eugene really use a Navy to make a carbine??? Or is that a toggle he made himself???

Are the shoulder stocks all the same???

They both have 16"+ barrels...Are they legally classed as rifles???

Maybe you could take pics at every major milestone!!!

[LugerMan.com]

The navy toggle on the second carbine is from a European maker, I did not make that one. But times have changed ;0)


Hook is attached by silver alloy and is the way the original carbines have been done, George Luger trusted silver , who am I to question that ;0)


I will start posting pictures of the process to help an excitement build up even more ;0)

Thanks for the attention

[LugerMan.com]

Here is a parts set that will go in to making a carbine.

If you have any questions on what's what let me know.

[LugerMan.com]

Front sight silver soldered in

Rear sight silver soldered in

Barrel installed

[LugerMan.com]

Rear stock iron fitted to the frame

Rear stock iron fitted to rear stock

[LugerMan.com]

I will fit the front sight,
checker the front ramp
Put numbers on the rear sight
and fit the rear sight slider
and cut the chamber to the toggle assembly.

All happening tomorrow i hope,
today i am taking care of some other screaming customers ;0)

[Edward Tinker]

A friend of mine visited Eugene, this is his write up;

*****Saw your project at Eugene's Friday night.

Please refer to November 9th photos by Eugene showing carbine kit.

Your wood looks just like this...needs final shaping, sanding, finishing,checkering, fitting, butt plate, etc. He has done the final inletting and fitting of attachment iron.

Gun: barrel and sights mounted and installed (don't know if he has done final head-spacing, extractor testing yet...presume he has not yet test fired it). All parts together loosely, including "new" bolt assembly items , as needed...and in preliminary state of prep prior to final polish before blueing and strawing. Only unfinished metal is installation of frame extension, which is the major PIA in building a carbine. (see pics of mine previously submitted to you)

In summary: still a lot of work to be done, but what has been accomplished to date is first class and I am sure you will be happy with the final result.

As you know, he is a very busy guy, working full time at a demanding IT job while tending to his gun-related business in his "spare time " during evenings and on weekends. In my experience, while he has the best of intentions, he seems to be overly committed at times, though I find that keeping in touch with him closely and paying him a visit (by appointment) does get his attention. Consequently, I suspect that a visit or two to his shop to review your project might accelerate things?

Also, if you have not been there, it is worth a trip if only to see all of his neat projects and equipment, the likes of which is probably not representative of your local neighborhood smith's operation...by light years. For example, his newest addition, acquired to supplement his Bridgeport, etc., is a sophisticated CNC mill currently used for cranking out all manner of neat things, such as the Navy rear toggle he just installed on one of my guns...(a really superb job in every way, incidentally). ***********

[Edward Tinker]

He sent me these stock pictures, but I could have sworn it already had a stock...

[Edward Tinker]

Stock Eugene intended for me developed a crack when drying out, so he had to make a new fore-end and stock (otherwise they might not match).

Here is what he has for me to choose from

[Edward Tinker]

I am hoping soon, as I am more than anxious

[Edward Tinker]

This is the thread where I have posted any progress pictures Eugene has sent - some seem like repeats after a long time.

[John Sabato]

It looks like the most important step and the one that takes the most time in the making of a carbine by Eugene is WAITING... and I have to say Ed, you are much more patient that I could ever have been. My hat is off to you Bud... I hope the carbine is everything you had hoped for...

[Edward Tinker]

Eugene's comments:
fitted forearm to my liking.
Assembled and tested.
Need hotter loads.
It almost grabs the next round, but needs about 15% more.

[Edward Tinker]

final fitting

[Edward Tinker]

I think this shows the entire process - will double check

Moved the thread to where all folks can see this

[Edward Tinker]

Sling made by Jerry Burney for this carbine

Note the handmade studs and hand stitching

[Edward Tinker]

Carbine Rod made by another friend of mine

[Edward Tinker]

Forearm off