cleaning up the "Gesichert"

Crotalus · 09-05-2006, 10:43 AM

Hello,
I am new to the forums, I just picked up my first Luger; a 1918 DWM military issue P08 and I love it. I have a question about cleaning a particular part of the gun. What would you reccomend for cleaning the portion of the frame stamped "GESICHERT" behind the safety? I understand it should be an offwhite-yellowish color but there is a bit of grime and discoloration. I am hesitant to use anything that might remove the original paint. What sort of cleaning solution and cleaning tool (ie: toothbrush, brass brush, toothpick, etc.) would you reccomend using on it.

Also in terms of storage, I am looking for a nice affordable display box for my luger. What fabrics are safe to store the pistol on? Is velvet, satin, or felt okay? Thanks in advance.

John Sabato · 09-05-2006, 11:17 AM

Welcome to the Lugerforum Ken. I would clean the area with a soft toothbrush, and believe it or not, some white not-very-abrasive toothpaste (not gel) ... and rinse it well in water hot enough to dry off easily... make sure you use high pressure air to blow any moisture out from under the safety lever...and get some oil in there...a toothpick or brass brush might disturb the paint that may still be in the stamped letters.

As to fabric, any good synthetic should be okay, even natural fibers are okay...but the environmental condition must be cooperating. Keep the box in a good dry environment and wipe the gun down once in a while with a good light oil... avoiding getting gun oil on the grips...

Once again welcome to a fellow Virginian...

Crotalus · 09-05-2006, 12:00 PM

Thank you for the quick response, I was wondering because I have read that certain fabrics, foams, and woods contain substances that my react with or damage pistols stored over time.

I work in a laboratory and have access to an excellent dessicant called Dryerite that looks like tiny pebbles. It works quite well for keeping moisture out of samples placed in dessicators and such. would a vial with holes in it or a mesh bag containing such a substance in an open container somewhere in the box be an acceptable means of humidity control or is there such a thing as having it too dry (I would of course keep a thin layer of oil covering the metal on the pistol.

Also, I have noticed quite a few members on this forum from Virginia. Do any of you ever meet up as a group and discuss or show eachother and talk about their/eachother's lugers?

John Sabato · 09-05-2006, 12:31 PM

We have never had a formal get-together but occasionally see each other at the Dulles Expo gun shows... perhaps at the next one, we can try a scheduled lunch meeting...

The use of dessicant is recommended but make sure the chemicals and container do not rest against the firearm.

Crotalus · 09-05-2006, 05:10 PM

Perhaps I will make an effort to attend this november then.

Edward Tinker · 09-05-2006, 06:37 PM

I would be tempted to use nothing except soap and water and a very fine cloth, toothpaste isn't very abrasive, but it is. I myself would rather it look old than too clean and white.

Ed

09-05-2006, 10:43 AM	#1
Crotalus User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 68 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	cleaning up the "Gesichert" Hello, I am new to the forums, I just picked up my first Luger; a 1918 DWM military issue P08 and I love it. I have a question about cleaning a particular part of the gun. What would you reccomend for cleaning the portion of the frame stamped "GESICHERT" behind the safety? I understand it should be an offwhite-yellowish color but there is a bit of grime and discoloration. I am hesitant to use anything that might remove the original paint. What sort of cleaning solution and cleaning tool (ie: toothbrush, brass brush, toothpick, etc.) would you reccomend using on it. Also in terms of storage, I am looking for a nice affordable display box for my luger. What fabrics are safe to store the pistol on? Is velvet, satin, or felt okay? Thanks in advance.

09-05-2006, 11:17 AM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Welcome to the Lugerforum Ken. I would clean the area with a soft toothbrush, and believe it or not, some white not-very-abrasive toothpaste (not gel) ... and rinse it well in water hot enough to dry off easily... make sure you use high pressure air to blow any moisture out from under the safety lever...and get some oil in there...a toothpick or brass brush might disturb the paint that may still be in the stamped letters. As to fabric, any good synthetic should be okay, even natural fibers are okay...but the environmental condition must be cooperating. Keep the box in a good dry environment and wipe the gun down once in a while with a good light oil... avoiding getting gun oil on the grips... Once again welcome to a fellow Virginian... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-05-2006, 12:31 PM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	We have never had a formal get-together but occasionally see each other at the Dulles Expo gun shows... perhaps at the next one, we can try a scheduled lunch meeting... The use of dessicant is recommended but make sure the chemicals and container do not rest against the firearm. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-05-2006, 06:37 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,963 Thanks: 2,064 Thanked 4,593 Times in 2,115 Posts	I would be tempted to use nothing except soap and water and a very fine cloth, toothpaste isn't very abrasive, but it is. I myself would rather it look old than too clean and white. 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

09-05-2006, 12:00 PM	#3
Crotalus User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 68 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thank you for the quick response, I was wondering because I have read that certain fabrics, foams, and woods contain substances that my react with or damage pistols stored over time. I work in a laboratory and have access to an excellent dessicant called Dryerite that looks like tiny pebbles. It works quite well for keeping moisture out of samples placed in dessicators and such. would a vial with holes in it or a mesh bag containing such a substance in an open container somewhere in the box be an acceptable means of humidity control or is there such a thing as having it too dry (I would of course keep a thin layer of oil covering the metal on the pistol. Also, I have noticed quite a few members on this forum from Virginia. Do any of you ever meet up as a group and discuss or show eachother and talk about their/eachother's lugers?

09-05-2006, 05:10 PM	#5
Crotalus User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 68 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Perhaps I will make an effort to attend this november then.