Restorers ... Going, Going, Gone?

grapppa · 11-10-2008, 07:52 PM

Although I am not in the restoration market at the moment, I thought I would research who is competant in luger restoration. To quote Tom A in a recent post "... Who is available and qualified to do a correct restoration?"

Bill Adair, Thor, Gale Morgan are all not accepting work. Could this be a lost art, and sometime in the future will restored lugers be more valuable due to the loss of a valued craft?

John Sabato · 11-11-2008, 08:01 AM

True restoration craftsmen, such as those you have mentioned have always been in short supply... I don't believe that restored Lugers will increase in value simply BECAUSE of a shortage of restorers...

but they will increase in value simply because of the finite supply of genuine Lugers,

...and the ever increasing number of Luger collectors and enthusiasts...

bobcam1 · 11-17-2008, 11:42 AM

Having said this....Are there people who are taking the baton from these talented gentlemen and assuming the mantle of Luger repair/restoration craftsmen, and if so, can they, or someone else post their names and/or contact information?

Tomathvl · 11-17-2008, 12:33 PM

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...0&pagenumber=2

ArtB · 11-25-2008, 12:13 PM

Bill Adair--------perhaps forum members are not aware that Bill Adair was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer about a month ago. He tells me that with treatment he would maybe have 4 months left. He has returned most of his work on hand to the customer. He returned 3 jobs that he was going to do for me. I sent him cost of return shipping. He said I was the only one so far to pay him for return shipping. Seemed the right thing to do. He had a lot of work there and said shipping was a fairly big cost to him. I have wished him the best.

Edward Tinker · 11-25-2008, 01:04 PM

Art, that is a shame, his name and work have been known for years.

I hope treatment makes the rest of his life easier.

Ed

Ron Smith · 11-25-2008, 02:14 PM

Bill does excellent work. I'm saddened to hear that.

Best wishes to a true craftsman...

Ron

cma22inc · 11-25-2008, 04:47 PM

I'm not aware of many if any that can match Bill's skill with restoring the lettering of a firearm he is truly an artistian in that regard.

A very sad day indeed.

var99 · 11-25-2008, 09:06 PM

Very sad to hear that, I consider myself fortunate to have a few pieces of his work, as Ron said ....a true craftman, I wish him all the best.

Lugerdoc · 11-26-2008, 11:35 AM

Sorry to learn of Bill's medical problems, but not surprised. Working with chemical fumes and metal dust around is definately hazardous to the health. Let this be a warning to all of us to take percautions when doing so. Not only are the well know restorers getting older, but cancer seems to be common, especially amoung those doing refinishing. One reason, besides lack of talent in that area, I don't do it. Lugerdoc

Thor · 11-28-2008, 02:47 PM

I owe Bill Adair a great deal of thanks for his willingness to mentor me when I started in the restoration business. I knew absolutely nothing about gunsmithing and he taught me what I needed to know very quickly. He got nothing out of the deal but I sure did. He was very kind to do this for me. Many thanks to a fine craftsman!

The Virginian · 12-08-2008, 12:48 PM

Just a thought, try learning to do rust bluing and parts replacement yourself. I am in the process of learning how to checker wood and engrave metal too. One day you will with enough practice be able to do a luger up yourself.

11-10-2008, 07:52 PM	#1
grapppa User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hillsborough, NJ Posts: 150 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Restorers ... Going, Going, Gone? Although I am not in the restoration market at the moment, I thought I would research who is competant in luger restoration. To quote Tom A in a recent post "... Who is available and qualified to do a correct restoration?" Bill Adair, Thor, Gale Morgan are all not accepting work. Could this be a lost art, and sometime in the future will restored lugers be more valuable due to the loss of a valued craft?

11-11-2008, 08:01 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	True restoration craftsmen, such as those you have mentioned have always been in short supply... I don't believe that restored Lugers will increase in value simply BECAUSE of a shortage of restorers... but they will increase in value simply because of the finite supply of genuine Lugers, ...and the ever increasing number of Luger collectors and enthusiasts... __________________ 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..."*

11-25-2008, 01:04 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,962 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	Art, that is a shame, his name and work have been known for years. I hope treatment makes the rest of his life easier. 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

11-25-2008, 02:14 PM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Bill does excellent work. I'm saddened to hear that. Best wishes to a true craftsman... Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

11-26-2008, 11:35 AM	#10
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Sorry to learn of Bill's medical problems, but not surprised. Working with chemical fumes and metal dust around is definately hazardous to the health. Let this be a warning to all of us to take percautions when doing so. Not only are the well know restorers getting older, but cancer seems to be common, especially amoung those doing refinishing. One reason, besides lack of talent in that area, I don't do it. Lugerdoc __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

11-17-2008, 11:42 AM	#3
bobcam1 User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 92 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Having said this....Are there people who are taking the baton from these talented gentlemen and assuming the mantle of Luger repair/restoration craftsmen, and if so, can they, or someone else post their names and/or contact information?

11-17-2008, 12:33 PM	#4
Tomathvl User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Milan, IN Posts: 363 Thanks: 3 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...0&pagenumber=2

11-25-2008, 12:13 PM	#5
ArtB User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bill Adair--------perhaps forum members are not aware that Bill Adair was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer about a month ago. He tells me that with treatment he would maybe have 4 months left. He has returned most of his work on hand to the customer. He returned 3 jobs that he was going to do for me. I sent him cost of return shipping. He said I was the only one so far to pay him for return shipping. Seemed the right thing to do. He had a lot of work there and said shipping was a fairly big cost to him. I have wished him the best.

11-25-2008, 04:47 PM	#8
cma22inc User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tampa Bay FL Posts: 93 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	I'm not aware of many if any that can match Bill's skill with restoring the lettering of a firearm he is truly an artistian in that regard. A very sad day indeed.

11-25-2008, 09:06 PM	#9
var99 User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: FL Posts: 114 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Very sad to hear that, I consider myself fortunate to have a few pieces of his work, as Ron said ....a true craftman, I wish him all the best.

11-28-2008, 02:47 PM	#11
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	I owe Bill Adair a great deal of thanks for his willingness to mentor me when I started in the restoration business. I knew absolutely nothing about gunsmithing and he taught me what I needed to know very quickly. He got nothing out of the deal but I sure did. He was very kind to do this for me. Many thanks to a fine craftsman! __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

12-08-2008, 12:48 PM	#12
The Virginian User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Potomac Falls, Virginia USA Posts: 107 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Just a thought, try learning to do rust bluing and parts replacement yourself. I am in the process of learning how to checker wood and engrave metal too. One day you will with enough practice be able to do a luger up yourself. __________________ All my C&R guns are shooters