Cleaning but not restoration

pacman · 10-20-2007, 04:52 PM

This question has probably been asked over 1000 times on this forum. I guess I'll make it one more. I recently inherited a 1914 Erfurt 100 mm Luger. My uncle "acquired it" from a German Officer during service in WW II. It is in very good shape, 90% bluing, 50% strawing, all matching numbers except for the magazine.

I've field stripped it and it is relatively clean, but it is dry as a bone. I intend to clean and lubricate as I would any modern handgun. As I learn more I would like to disassemble it and competely clean it as I do my 1911's.

I would also like to shoot it (not alot) even though I recognize there is a certain risk in diminishing the value if something breaks. In order to maintain the value and for sentimental reasons I do NOT want to restore it. Are there do's and don'ts in what to clean and what not to clean in a collectible gun like this? Obviously I want to ensure that it is always properly oiled and protected against rust.

Thank you for your replies.

10-20-2007, 04:52 PM	#1
pacman User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cleaning but not restoration This question has probably been asked over 1000 times on this forum. I guess I'll make it one more. I recently inherited a 1914 Erfurt 100 mm Luger. My uncle "acquired it" from a German Officer during service in WW II. It is in very good shape, 90% bluing, 50% strawing, all matching numbers except for the magazine. I've field stripped it and it is relatively clean, but it is dry as a bone. I intend to clean and lubricate as I would any modern handgun. As I learn more I would like to disassemble it and competely clean it as I do my 1911's. I would also like to shoot it (not alot) even though I recognize there is a certain risk in diminishing the value if something breaks. In order to maintain the value and for sentimental reasons I do NOT want to restore it. Are there do's and don'ts in what to clean and what not to clean in a collectible gun like this? Obviously I want to ensure that it is always properly oiled and protected against rust. Thank you for your replies.