Left grip warning

Steve Richards · 11-19-2002, 08:32 PM

I have been thinking this over and I think that all new people who come to our happy little site and have never had a Luger before should be warned how easy it is to break the top corner on the left grip. I know this from personal experience! It just seems that whoever answers a new person first should give the warning. It may get a little redundant to current members but that is not the target of the warning. Just a thought.

Ron Wood · 11-19-2002, 09:24 PM

That is a good thought Steve. That chip on the left grip by the safety is often referred to as the "million dollar chip" because if you count up all the Lugers that have been devalued by that broken corner, it would amount to a bunch of cash.

Johnny Peppers · 11-19-2002, 11:06 PM

One famous Luger with the "left grip chip" is the Sidney Aberman .45 Luger.

Aaron · 11-20-2002, 12:33 AM

Here's a way to reinforce the left grip corner, or the entire grip for that matter: Go to a model hobby shop and buy a bottle of cyanoacrolate instant glue. This comes in various viscosities, so be sure and get the "thin" kind which has the viscosity of water. Put a few drops on the back of the grip at any weak point. The glue will soak in, harden, and immensely reinforce the wood, preventing any breakage. Also, a broken chip can be glued back in place with this material and the repair will be completely invisible. This type of glue is tricky to use, so practice with it on some scrap wood first. Store the bottle in a freezer after use and it will remain fresh for a long time.

Ron Wood · 11-20-2002, 01:39 AM

Aaron,
There is also a version of cyanoacrolate instant glue that I used at one time for model building that was a two part product. The basic cyanoacrolate glue plus an accelerant that was called a "kicker". The first part did not set up immediately, giving you a few seconds to properly align the pieces. The "kicker" was a mist spray, and once the pieces were properly positioned, a shot of kicker bonded them immediately, and for all practical purposes - forever. And, as you stated, properly applied it is invisible.

Dwight Gruber · 11-20-2002, 01:49 AM

I always make it a principle that, if I am inspectng a Luger, and have persuaded the owner to let me remove the grips, I always start with the right-side grip. One can very often see markings on the left-side grip this way without having to remove it.

--Dwight

Pete Ebbink · 11-23-2002, 12:55 PM

If anyone has broken that chip and wants to repair it, I can give you the name/address of a craftsman that does an excellent repair and/or restoration. Send me a private message and I can relay the info.

I had a luger with its chip missing, and it looks like it never was...

If I ever sell this piece, I will inform the new buyer of that repair...

p.s. When looking over a luger that I am thinking of buying, I will just ask the seller to remove the grips for me.

When the gun belongs to me, I will only lift up the left grip high enough to clear the recess at the bottom of the frame and then I pull the grip downwards towards the bottom of the grip.

I thik alot of chips are caused when a grip is lifted up and continued to be lifted up until it is off the gun. It should be "slid off" off the gun, horizontally, in the direction of the bottom of the grip frame and magazine well opening.

Regards,

Pete...

11-19-2002, 08:32 PM	#1
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Left grip warning I have been thinking this over and I think that all new people who come to our happy little site and have never had a Luger before should be warned how easy it is to break the top corner on the left grip. I know this from personal experience! It just seems that whoever answers a new person first should give the warning. It may get a little redundant to current members but that is not the target of the warning. Just a thought.

11-19-2002, 09:24 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	That is a good thought Steve. That chip on the left grip by the safety is often referred to as the "million dollar chip" because if you count up all the Lugers that have been devalued by that broken corner, it would amount to a bunch of cash. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-20-2002, 01:39 AM	#5
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	Aaron, There is also a version of cyanoacrolate instant glue that I used at one time for model building that was a two part product. The basic cyanoacrolate glue plus an accelerant that was called a "kicker". The first part did not set up immediately, giving you a few seconds to properly align the pieces. The "kicker" was a mist spray, and once the pieces were properly positioned, a shot of kicker bonded them immediately, and for all practical purposes - forever. And, as you stated, properly applied it is invisible. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

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11-19-2002, 11:06 PM	#3
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	One famous Luger with the "left grip chip" is the Sidney Aberman .45 Luger.

11-20-2002, 12:33 AM	#4
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Here's a way to reinforce the left grip corner, or the entire grip for that matter: Go to a model hobby shop and buy a bottle of cyanoacrolate instant glue. This comes in various viscosities, so be sure and get the "thin" kind which has the viscosity of water. Put a few drops on the back of the grip at any weak point. The glue will soak in, harden, and immensely reinforce the wood, preventing any breakage. Also, a broken chip can be glued back in place with this material and the repair will be completely invisible. This type of glue is tricky to use, so practice with it on some scrap wood first. Store the bottle in a freezer after use and it will remain fresh for a long time.

11-20-2002, 01:49 AM	#6
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	I always make it a principle that, if I am inspectng a Luger, and have persuaded the owner to let me remove the grips, I always start with the right-side grip. One can very often see markings on the left-side grip this way without having to remove it. --Dwight

11-23-2002, 12:55 PM	#7
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	If anyone has broken that chip and wants to repair it, I can give you the name/address of a craftsman that does an excellent repair and/or restoration. Send me a private message and I can relay the info. I had a luger with its chip missing, and it looks like it never was... If I ever sell this piece, I will inform the new buyer of that repair... p.s. When looking over a luger that I am thinking of buying, I will just ask the seller to remove the grips for me. When the gun belongs to me, I will only lift up the left grip high enough to clear the recess at the bottom of the frame and then I pull the grip downwards towards the bottom of the grip. I thik alot of chips are caused when a grip is lifted up and continued to be lifted up until it is off the gun. It should be "slid off" off the gun, horizontally, in the direction of the bottom of the grip frame and magazine well opening. Regards, Pete...