Luger in 38 super caliber?

[G.T.]

Back in the cave man days, JVM made a couple of them in 38 super, I made the mag bottoms for them, and for one I made a presentation box... He cut up and welded two frames to get the proper length, and made the receiver and toggle parts longer as well? To the best of my recollection, they worked fine?... best to all, til.....lat'r.....GT....

[spangy]

Originally Posted by G.T.

He cut up and welded two frames to get the proper length, and made the receiver and toggle parts longer as well? .....lat'r.....GT....

Dam I would love to see a picture of this rig

Any chance you have some pictures packed away somewhere G.T. ??? It must have been exciting to fire this baby ya ???

[Doubs]

Originally Posted by G.T.

Back in the cave man days, JVM made a couple of them in 38 super, I made the mag bottoms for them, and for one I made a presentation box... He cut up and welded two frames to get the proper length, and made the receiver and toggle parts longer as well? To the best of my recollection, they worked fine?... best to all, til.....lat'r.....GT....

That, like the .45ACP Lugers, sounds doable and a fun project. The .38 Super is a fine cartridge.

But, if I understand the OP's original question correctly, he's asking if you could simply rechamber an existing Luger to fire .38 Super. I think it possible but I don't think it advisable. My opinion, of course.

[G.T.]

Hi Doubs, in John V Martz's later years, he switched from the two frame creations because of the mountain of work, and if possible, he milled out the existing frames to accommodate the larger cartridge...
I don't think he made any of the 38 supers in this fashion? Best, til....lat'r...GT

[G.T.]

Sorry, no pictures.. I made grips for one or two of them, and George Sarkiskian? (spelling??) checkered them for him? I also made a presentation box for one of them, he had them numbered with a frame side plate, 1 of 10, 2 of 10, etc....
It took me months to make that stuff as I didn't have any equipment? I sent it out to John immeadiatly, within minutes, when completed, never any pictures?
I have made a lot of "stuff" for Luger gunsmiths and forum members, but I have never taken any pictures of any of it, at least that I can remember? I always felt that it was a private thing between the customer and his Luger, as it belonged to him anyway.
I don't mind though, as there is always another project just around the corner.... ,,, best to all, til.....lat'r......GT...

[Doubs]

Originally Posted by G.T.

Hi Doubs, in John V Martz's later years, he switched from the two frame creations because of the mountain of work, and if possible, he milled out the existing frames to accommodate the larger cartridge...
I don't think he made any of the 38 supers in this fashion? Best, til....lat'r...GT

Hi G.T., I've only seen pictures of John Martz's .45ACP Lugers but what works of art they are. WAY beyond my means but hey, I can dream, can't I?

Years ago, a friend and well known 1911 gunsmith named Ed Banks, took my 1927 Argentine .45 and turned it into a seven caliber setup. The original slide is used for .45ACP and .38/45. He put BoMar adjustable sights on a 9mm slide and it's good for .30 Mauser, 9mm, .38 Super, 9mm Largo and .41AE. There was other work involved and, of course, it requires the barrels, recoil springs and magazines. It's reliable with everything except the .41AE. The rebated rim causes problems with feeding.

Stay Safe, Walker

[G.T.]

I had the enjoyable opportunity to stay with John and Neola twice in all the years i worked on his projects. My son and I were at his house for several days both times, and we had a great time. We spent most of the time just chatting, but we did visit the range (his private range right out in his yard!) several times, and always with one of his creations that was in the "prototype" stage. He welcomed someone to shoot his creations, as he was a stickler for function as well as beauty. I remember him telling me each little secret to finally achieve the consistency he was seeking on each caliber type. He stated that the only caliber that really gave him fits was his Luger conversion of the .22 mag!!! He had all but given up on it, and refused to sell it as it was in his mind, snake bit? But as a last resort, he started to shorten the barrel, I believe nearly an inch at a time and at some point after a couple of cuts, the thing started to work! And did so consistently. He stated that it was the only one, and he would not go down that path again... I wonder who has it now as many of his customers were not necessarily Luger collectors, but more into the artful creations John was producing. Long time ago now, seems like somebody else was there and not me. Still, I have the memories, and the satisfaction of being able to call him my friend... Best to all, til......lat'r......GT...

[zork]

GT. I can tell you exactly where the 22 mag prototype Luger is, it is in my safe. John did have fits trying to make it work but solved the problem by lengthening the barrel, not shortening it.He did make more Lugers in 22 mag, I believe he ended up making 9 pistols and 3 carbines in 22 mag, I knew John and Neola for many years and used to love watching John work. (I have zero mechanical talent but can break anything ever built)I also have one of the 22 mag pistols. When I picked it up from a collection in LA I took it to Johns to try it out. We walked out to his range and I fired a clip, it worked fine. John then tried to fire it but it kept jamming. John looked at me and said, "who made this piece of crap!" as an aside I also own the first gun John ever made, a baby P38. As for 38 Supers, John made 19 Lugers in 38 Super (including 1 baby and 1 carbine). He made 9 P38s in 38 super ( 1 baby). Many of Johns creations ended up on the cover of Guns and Ammo, you might check their archives for the article.Doug