ok to clean grips?

crotter · 02-09-2008, 10:07 PM

Hello,

I have just aquired my first Luger, a 1918 Erfurt. The wooden grips seem like they would be candidates for a cleaning with an old toothbrush and some Murphys oil soap. It looks like the dirt/ grime is on the outer sides, as the inside of the grips maintained the clean reddish wood tone.

Would cleaning them up affect the pieces value in any way? The grips are serial numbered to the gun, and I would feel awful if I "messed" them up any way.

Its my understanding that after cleaning with warm soapy water, a little Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO) will help them retain their color?

CHRISTIAN

paradox998 · 02-10-2008, 10:35 AM

Hello Christian:

There is disagreement about cleaning grips and how this impacts value. Personally I clean mine as I see it as similar to cleaning the gun. I don't think you want to use water as you could get swelling or possibly warping. See Buchanan's discussion of grip cleaning methods. The link is http://www.lugerforum/gripclean.html Also, many folk do not recomment linseed oil, although Brownells sells a specialized stain, Plinkington Linseed Oil - Red/Brown that works well. It gives the a rich look. If you want a very good job of cleaning the grips, sent them to Hugh. He does amazing work....

crotter · 02-12-2008, 06:57 PM

Thanks for the advice,

I figured there would be some debate on the topic. On one hand, I feel it is no different than cleaning the gun, but then again, the darker colored grips do reflect the Luger is 90 years old. Not sure if it would look right having "new" looking grips on a gun that has worn bluing and is old looking...

I guess maybe I'll put the cleaning on hold for a little while until I give it more thought!

CHRISTIAN

John Sabato · 02-13-2008, 10:14 AM

Paradox998... the link you posted is incomplete or incorrect. Please edit your post by clicking on the pencil/paper icon below your post and edit the link to the correct one. Thanks.

mjgru2001 · 02-13-2008, 11:02 AM

I fooled around and found the correct link:

http://www.lugerforum.com/gripclean.html

paradox998 · 02-13-2008, 06:22 PM

Sorry for the typo. Web address is corrected on the link to the page on grip cleaning. Thanks for letting me know.

02-09-2008, 10:07 PM	#1
crotter User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ok to clean grips? Hello, I have just aquired my first Luger, a 1918 Erfurt. The wooden grips seem like they would be candidates for a cleaning with an old toothbrush and some Murphys oil soap. It looks like the dirt/ grime is on the outer sides, as the inside of the grips maintained the clean reddish wood tone. Would cleaning them up affect the pieces value in any way? The grips are serial numbered to the gun, and I would feel awful if I "messed" them up any way. Its my understanding that after cleaning with warm soapy water, a little Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO) will help them retain their color? CHRISTIAN

02-13-2008, 10:14 AM	#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	Missing Link? Paradox998... the link you posted is incomplete or incorrect. Please edit your post by clicking on the pencil/paper icon below your post and edit the link to the correct one. Thanks. __________________ 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..."*

02-13-2008, 11:02 AM	#5
mjgru2001 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 9 Thanks: 11 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I fooled around and found the correct link: http://www.lugerforum.com/gripclean.html __________________ "When they took the fourth amendment, I was silent because I don't deal drugs. When they took the sixth amendment, I kept quiet because I know I'm innocent. When they took the second amendment, I said nothing because I don't own a gun. Now they've come for the first amendment, and I can't say anything at all." -Tim Freeman

02-10-2008, 10:35 AM	#2
paradox998 User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hello Christian: There is disagreement about cleaning grips and how this impacts value. Personally I clean mine as I see it as similar to cleaning the gun. I don't think you want to use water as you could get swelling or possibly warping. See Buchanan's discussion of grip cleaning methods. The link is http://www.lugerforum/gripclean.html Also, many folk do not recomment linseed oil, although Brownells sells a specialized stain, Plinkington Linseed Oil - Red/Brown that works well. It gives the a rich look. If you want a very good job of cleaning the grips, sent them to Hugh. He does amazing work....

02-12-2008, 06:57 PM	#3
crotter User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the advice, I figured there would be some debate on the topic. On one hand, I feel it is no different than cleaning the gun, but then again, the darker colored grips do reflect the Luger is 90 years old. Not sure if it would look right having "new" looking grips on a gun that has worn bluing and is old looking... I guess maybe I'll put the cleaning on hold for a little while until I give it more thought! CHRISTIAN

02-13-2008, 06:22 PM	#6
paradox998 User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry for the typo. Web address is corrected on the link to the page on grip cleaning. Thanks for letting me know.