Is there a Houston area Luger gunsmith?

Jack M · 11-29-2008, 09:20 PM

I own two Lugers: One is a 1918 Mauser with all matching numbers, including the magazine; and a DMW with no date stamp. It has a "G" stamped where the date normally is. The numbers, only 3 of them, do match. I've read that my DMW is a "commercial" because it lacks a date, But, I've also heard that, during the early 30s, Luger manufacturers didn't date stamp so they couldn't be accused of violating non-manufacturing rules set down by the Versilles Treaty.

My DWM has been excellently refinished in chrome, and has non-mil spec smooth wooden grips. With one exception, it seems to function normally. I bought it two weeks ago, and haven't shot it yet.

The one exception is a loose safety lever, and I'm guessing that the link to the safety bar or the lever pin was damaged from a careless take down. The safety bar operates as it should. but the safety lever is somewhat loose, and whatever is damaged needs to be repaired to get it right and give me peace of mind.

As the thread title suggests, I'm looking for a Houston area gunsmith who is adept at handling Lugers, and can make the necessary repairs. I'm aware of the 2 or 3 methods for correcting a loose safety lever, but do not want to attempt a correction myself.

Sure would appreciate some recommendations, even if it's for a sure handed amatuer gunsmith that knows Lugers.

Also, any comments would be appreciated regarding my above statements about no date stamp, only 3 numbers, and "commercial".

Ron Wood · 11-29-2008, 11:49 PM

You have two Mausers. The "G" on the chamber is the date code for a 1935 Mauser military and it should have a toggle marked with "S/42". The DWM toggle was not original to this Luger.
Collector's Firearms at 3301 Fondren, Suite O, in Houston (phone 713-781-1960) usually has a fair sampling of Lugers in stock, so I suspect that their gunsmith may be familiar enough with Lugers to work on your gun or could recommend someone that could. Correcting a loose safety is pretty easy to do.

Jack M · 11-30-2008, 08:49 PM

Ron,

Thanks for the tips.

I was surprised about the "DWM" actually being a Mauser, except for the toggle. I paid only a shooter price for the gun, and had no illusions about it's collectability because of the chrome refinish. Now, it's a "mixmaster" as well as a novelty.

I'll call the telephone number you provided, and hopefully those folks can repair the safety, or suggest someone who can.
They are a little over 30 miles away from where I live in the NASA/JSC area of SE Houston.

Thanks, again.

Jack M

Thor · 12-01-2008, 11:52 AM

Ol Hugh can do a lot of work on Lugers and he is in the houston area. Email is hhclark@wildblue.net
He is an absolute master with barrels and grips.

Hugh · 12-02-2008, 01:57 AM

I can fix it & I'll bet I'm a lot cheaper than CFA! I'm in Devers, between Liberty & Beaumont.

Jack M · 12-03-2008, 04:33 PM

Hugh and I hooked up yesterday, and he'll do the safety repair.

This forum is as good as or better than any of the several others with which I've been involved over the years: 1911, S&W, Glock, Colt, etc. Your ready assistance to those in need is certainly top notch.

Thanks for your comments and tips.

----------------------------------------------------------

Jack M

Jack M · 12-03-2008, 04:46 PM

Ron,

I forgot to mention that Jerry of Collector's Fire Arms said their gunsmith died two years ago, and they haven't hired another. Thanks for the mention, though.

------------------------------------------------------------

Jack M

Jack M · 12-06-2008, 05:11 PM

It took Hugh about a minute to see the cause of the loose safety, then only a few more minutes to correct it. It was a missing retaining pin, the one that holds the safety assembly firmly in place. No, it wasn't lying loose in the works, so Hugh went to his parts box and found a replacement.

An earlier owner was obviously very careless when reassembling the gun, and probably uncaring as well since the problem was apparent.

But, everything works fine now, and I have a big smile on my face. I'll be taking my new shooter out for a little practice very soon.

Hugh is a gentleman and a truly nice guy, and he really knows his stuff. Inspecting some of his gun collection, as I did, was a real pleasure for me, as well as quite enlightening. Think I'll increase my present number of Lugers to go with my current modest number of Colt, S&W, Walther, and Glock handguns.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Jack M

11-29-2008, 09:20 PM	#1
Jack M User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seabrook, Texas Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is there a Houston area Luger gunsmith? I own two Lugers: One is a 1918 Mauser with all matching numbers, including the magazine; and a DMW with no date stamp. It has a "G" stamped where the date normally is. The numbers, only 3 of them, do match. I've read that my DMW is a "commercial" because it lacks a date, But, I've also heard that, during the early 30s, Luger manufacturers didn't date stamp so they couldn't be accused of violating non-manufacturing rules set down by the Versilles Treaty. My DWM has been excellently refinished in chrome, and has non-mil spec smooth wooden grips. With one exception, it seems to function normally. I bought it two weeks ago, and haven't shot it yet. The one exception is a loose safety lever, and I'm guessing that the link to the safety bar or the lever pin was damaged from a careless take down. The safety bar operates as it should. but the safety lever is somewhat loose, and whatever is damaged needs to be repaired to get it right and give me peace of mind. As the thread title suggests, I'm looking for a Houston area gunsmith who is adept at handling Lugers, and can make the necessary repairs. I'm aware of the 2 or 3 methods for correcting a loose safety lever, but do not want to attempt a correction myself. Sure would appreciate some recommendations, even if it's for a sure handed amatuer gunsmith that knows Lugers. Also, any comments would be appreciated regarding my above statements about no date stamp, only 3 numbers, and "commercial".

11-29-2008, 11:49 PM	#2
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: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	You have two Mausers. The "G" on the chamber is the date code for a 1935 Mauser military and it should have a toggle marked with "S/42". The DWM toggle was not original to this Luger. Collector's Firearms at 3301 Fondren, Suite O, in Houston (phone 713-781-1960) usually has a fair sampling of Lugers in stock, so I suspect that their gunsmith may be familiar enough with Lugers to work on your gun or could recommend someone that could. Correcting a loose safety is pretty easy to do. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

12-01-2008, 11:52 AM	#4
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Ol Hugh can do a lot of work on Lugers and he is in the houston area. Email is hhclark@wildblue.net He is an absolute master with barrels and grips. __________________ 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."

12-02-2008, 01:57 AM	#5
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 166 Times in 65 Posts	I can fix it & I'll bet I'm a lot cheaper than CFA! I'm in Devers, between Liberty & Beaumont. __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

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11-30-2008, 08:49 PM	#3
Jack M User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seabrook, Texas Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ron, Thanks for the tips. I was surprised about the "DWM" actually being a Mauser, except for the toggle. I paid only a shooter price for the gun, and had no illusions about it's collectability because of the chrome refinish. Now, it's a "mixmaster" as well as a novelty. I'll call the telephone number you provided, and hopefully those folks can repair the safety, or suggest someone who can. They are a little over 30 miles away from where I live in the NASA/JSC area of SE Houston. Thanks, again. Jack M

12-03-2008, 04:33 PM	#6
Jack M User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seabrook, Texas Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hugh and I hooked up yesterday, and he'll do the safety repair. This forum is as good as or better than any of the several others with which I've been involved over the years: 1911, S&W, Glock, Colt, etc. Your ready assistance to those in need is certainly top notch. Thanks for your comments and tips. ---------------------------------------------------------- Jack M

12-03-2008, 04:46 PM	#7
Jack M User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seabrook, Texas Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ron, I forgot to mention that Jerry of Collector's Fire Arms said their gunsmith died two years ago, and they haven't hired another. Thanks for the mention, though. ------------------------------------------------------------ Jack M

12-06-2008, 05:11 PM	#8
Jack M User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seabrook, Texas Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It took Hugh about a minute to see the cause of the loose safety, then only a few more minutes to correct it. It was a missing retaining pin, the one that holds the safety assembly firmly in place. No, it wasn't lying loose in the works, so Hugh went to his parts box and found a replacement. An earlier owner was obviously very careless when reassembling the gun, and probably uncaring as well since the problem was apparent. But, everything works fine now, and I have a big smile on my face. I'll be taking my new shooter out for a little practice very soon. Hugh is a gentleman and a truly nice guy, and he really knows his stuff. Inspecting some of his gun collection, as I did, was a real pleasure for me, as well as quite enlightening. Think I'll increase my present number of Lugers to go with my current modest number of Colt, S&W, Walther, and Glock handguns. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack M