Is This Right?

Meridius · 05-08-2008, 08:13 PM

I just purchased what was supposed to be a collector's grade 1915 luger. I posted about it a few days ago. Today, while I had the gun disasembled I noticed that the grips were a different color on the inside and only one had the gun's serial number (77) stamped into the grip. The other grip does not appear to have a serial number. Is this right? If not, does it ruin the luger's value as a collector grade gun? Everything else appears legit. I paid a higher price for a matching gun and I'm trying to figure out if I got what I paid for. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Meridius · 05-08-2008, 08:16 PM

The grips do appear evenly aged on the outside:

John Sabato · 05-09-2008, 10:48 AM

I think that the numbering on the inside of grips is not as consistent as we are used to seeing on German firearms... There is no way to know if the grips left the factory together, but IMHO, I think they did, and they are a great match to each other... except for the damage to the checkering on the left one, they are really nice grips. Hugh Clark could make them look new for you...

Meridius · 05-09-2008, 05:26 PM

Does the different color of the grips on the back raise any alarm? The unumbered grip is a little darker.

I was also wondering about getting them cleaned up. I prefer lighter grips but isn't it a big no no to mess with the grips on an all matching and original imperial Luger?

the gunman · 05-09-2008, 05:57 PM

Leave them alone.

Meridius · 05-09-2008, 07:40 PM

That's what I was thinking.

Ron Wood · 05-09-2008, 08:03 PM

Good thinking. You are learning Grasshopper. (I hope you are not too young to understand the "grasshopper" reference.)

whcoyote · 05-30-2008, 10:28 PM

Meridius:
After considerable wrestling with the same problem, I was informed by several astute members of the forum that it was allright to clean up a set of grips (remove the grunge from the checkering) and a judidious application of tung oil to nourish the wood followed by light application of Watco Danish Oil Finish - NOTHING MORE!!!! The theory being that wood is perishable like leather and occasionally needs some care. But beyond this is a NO-NO.
Bob

MikeP · 06-02-2008, 11:45 PM

Boy that joggled a few long dormant brain cells.

I remember a couple WW2 vets referring to the toggle mechanism as a
"grasshopper."

alvin · 06-03-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by whcoyote
a judidious application of tung oil

I tried tung oil on a Yugo SKS in the past, it changed the finish. Fortunately, one friend did not care and he thought "u did a great job and it looks prettier" (?? I was about to cry), but he took it away at my buying price. Otherwise, I would think the gun was actually "damaged".

Dannish oil, I don't know.

ratdog · 06-04-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeP
Boy that joggled a few long dormant brain cells.

I remember a couple WW2 vets referring to the toggle mechanism as a
"grasshopper."

Not what he meant by the "grasshopper" reference. If you must know, it was a 70's show with David Carradine called "Kung Fu", he was known as "grasshopper" by his Master.......................B

phatrick88 · 06-05-2008, 02:16 AM

So you own a Porsche 356?? Hope you're not too much of a purist, i've got a 944, but am eager to move up to a 911SC or Carrera 3.2.

Meridius · 06-05-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ratdog
Not what he meant by the "grasshopper" reference. If you must know, it was a 70's show with David Carradine called "Kung Fu", he was known as "grasshopper" by his Master.......................B

Good eye! It's 1961 356 B coupe. I've been restoring the thing for the past two years and it's finally due out of the paint shop next week

.

I've never been much of a fan for Porsche's "front engine" cars, but you really can't go wrong with an SC or Carrera 3.2.

05-08-2008, 08:13 PM	#1
Meridius User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 38 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is This Right? I just purchased what was supposed to be a collector's grade 1915 luger. I posted about it a few days ago. Today, while I had the gun disasembled I noticed that the grips were a different color on the inside and only one had the gun's serial number (77) stamped into the grip. The other grip does not appear to have a serial number. Is this right? If not, does it ruin the luger's value as a collector grade gun? Everything else appears legit. I paid a higher price for a matching gun and I'm trying to figure out if I got what I paid for. Thanks in advance for any advice! Attached Thumbnails

05-08-2008, 08:16 PM	#2
Meridius User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 38 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The grips do appear evenly aged on the outside: Attached Thumbnails

05-09-2008, 10:48 AM	#3
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	I think that the numbering on the inside of grips is not as consistent as we are used to seeing on German firearms... There is no way to know if the grips left the factory together, but IMHO, I think they did, and they are a great match to each other... except for the damage to the checkering on the left one, they are really nice grips. Hugh Clark could make them look new for you... __________________ 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..."*

05-09-2008, 08:03 PM	#7
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,035 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,242 Times in 1,719 Posts	Good thinking. You are learning Grasshopper. (I hope you are not too young to understand the "grasshopper" reference.) __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-09-2008, 05:26 PM	#4
Meridius User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 38 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Does the different color of the grips on the back raise any alarm? The unumbered grip is a little darker. I was also wondering about getting them cleaned up. I prefer lighter grips but isn't it a big no no to mess with the grips on an all matching and original imperial Luger?

05-09-2008, 05:57 PM	#5
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Leave them alone.

05-09-2008, 07:40 PM	#6
Meridius User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 38 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That's what I was thinking.

05-30-2008, 10:28 PM	#8
whcoyote User Join Date: May 2008 Location: SW Virginia Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Meridius: After considerable wrestling with the same problem, I was informed by several astute members of the forum that it was allright to clean up a set of grips (remove the grunge from the checkering) and a judidious application of tung oil to nourish the wood followed by light application of Watco Danish Oil Finish - NOTHING MORE!!!! The theory being that wood is perishable like leather and occasionally needs some care. But beyond this is a NO-NO. Bob

06-02-2008, 11:45 PM	#9
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Boy that joggled a few long dormant brain cells. I remember a couple WW2 vets referring to the toggle mechanism as a "grasshopper."

06-05-2008, 02:16 AM	#12
phatrick88 User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: MN Posts: 54 Thanks: 7 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	So you own a Porsche 356?? Hope you're not too much of a purist, i've got a 944, but am eager to move up to a 911SC or Carrera 3.2.