Restoring Straw Question

Robert McCrory · 05-31-2003, 05:41 PM

Is it common practice to restore the straw color? One of my Lugers had the latch damaged that turns to release the trigger plate and receiver (don't know the proper name). Someone tried to turn it by force without pulling the receiver back which bent and scratched it. I was able to reshape it physically and restore its appearance by 're-strawing' it. Restoring straw is easy enough to do, but I don't recall seeing it mentioned before. I am experienced in gun work, making and tempering springs, etc., but I only have two Lugers. Comments will be appreciated. Thanks

Edward Tinker · 05-31-2003, 07:13 PM

Many will say, you restored it, now when you go to sell it you need to tell the new buyer what happened. Others might not say that.

In the Luger collecting field, many collectors feel that any modifications or "boosting" is wrong and shouldn't be done.

Now, for a gun already re-blued, wrong parts, etc., then why not.

Sorry for the wishy-washy answer,

Ed

George Anderson · 05-31-2003, 07:45 PM

How does one go about restoring straw effect?

Edward Tinker · 05-31-2003, 08:00 PM

A few guys have done it right in their oven. It is simply heating the part up to a certain temperature, the problem I have heard is that if you do it too long or the wrong temp, then the parts looks like crap.

Ed

policeluger · 05-31-2003, 08:29 PM

If you send me your email address I can easly attach my strawing instruction. Have used it for over 25 years, easy and fool proof...you'll need a buffing wheel or hand polish, some light oil and an oven....it's fun.

Robert McCrory · 06-01-2003, 10:08 AM

Thanks for your replies. I did my re-straw with a torch by eyeball after properly polishing the part. As I said I am experienced. If one wants to duplicate the original straw, study the polish of the part and duplicate that before heating. The kitchen oven can be used but I would experiment with a polished scrap steel part before depending on the oven temp setting. A home oven may be far from the accuracy you will need. Note from the above the difference ten degrees can make. Re-heat to strawing temp will not damage the part. If I were to make a Luger replacement part, I would first heat it red hot and quench it, draw (carefully heat) it to 560 degrees to a spring temp. Then I would finish polish it, removing the blue color and then reheat to straw color temp. I believe the original parts must have been made that way because some need and have a spring temper. Straw without the spring temp step would leave a part that would easily bend and distort. I don't plan to restore the straw on my Lugers because they are a bit worn and consistent with the rest of the gun. My 'thing' is antique gun restoration over the past 40 years and trying to make something falsely look new is not in order. If I do a fix or replace a part I make it look like the rest of the gun looked when it was last used. Hope this helps.

saxman · 06-02-2003, 10:54 PM

Robert; I like your style. It is much more of an art to match wear and age than to renew. Thanks for the tips on step-heating.

05-31-2003, 05:41 PM	#1
Robert McCrory User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ardmore, OK Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Restoring Straw Question Is it common practice to restore the straw color? One of my Lugers had the latch damaged that turns to release the trigger plate and receiver (don't know the proper name). Someone tried to turn it by force without pulling the receiver back which bent and scratched it. I was able to reshape it physically and restore its appearance by 're-strawing' it. Restoring straw is easy enough to do, but I don't recall seeing it mentioned before. I am experienced in gun work, making and tempering springs, etc., but I only have two Lugers. Comments will be appreciated. Thanks __________________ Life is 10% what you make it, 90% how you take it! 5

05-31-2003, 07:13 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Many will say, you restored it, now when you go to sell it you need to tell the new buyer what happened. Others might not say that. In the Luger collecting field, many collectors feel that any modifications or "boosting" is wrong and shouldn't be done. Now, for a gun already re-blued, wrong parts, etc., then why not. Sorry for the wishy-washy answer, Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

05-31-2003, 08:00 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	A few guys have done it right in their oven. It is simply heating the part up to a certain temperature, the problem I have heard is that if you do it too long or the wrong temp, then the parts looks like crap. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

06-01-2003, 10:08 AM	#6
Robert McCrory User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ardmore, OK Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for your replies. I did my re-straw with a torch by eyeball after properly polishing the part. As I said I am experienced. If one wants to duplicate the original straw, study the polish of the part and duplicate that before heating. The kitchen oven can be used but I would experiment with a polished scrap steel part before depending on the oven temp setting. A home oven may be far from the accuracy you will need. Note from the above the difference ten degrees can make. Re-heat to strawing temp will not damage the part. If I were to make a Luger replacement part, I would first heat it red hot and quench it, draw (carefully heat) it to 560 degrees to a spring temp. Then I would finish polish it, removing the blue color and then reheat to straw color temp. I believe the original parts must have been made that way because some need and have a spring temper. Straw without the spring temp step would leave a part that would easily bend and distort. I don't plan to restore the straw on my Lugers because they are a bit worn and consistent with the rest of the gun. My 'thing' is antique gun restoration over the past 40 years and trying to make something falsely look new is not in order. If I do a fix or replace a part I make it look like the rest of the gun looked when it was last used. Hope this helps. __________________ Life is 10% what you make it, 90% how you take it! 5

06-02-2003, 10:54 PM	#7
saxman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 301 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Robert; I like your style. It is much more of an art to match wear and age than to renew. Thanks for the tips on step-heating. __________________ You can lead 'em to the water, but you can't make 'em drink.

05-31-2003, 07:45 PM	#3
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	How does one go about restoring straw effect?

05-31-2003, 08:29 PM	#5
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	If you send me your email address I can easly attach my strawing instruction. Have used it for over 25 years, easy and fool proof...you'll need a buffing wheel or hand polish, some light oil and an oven....it's fun.