DWM Alphabet

coverk · 08-29-2011, 07:40 PM

I have been hanging around the forum for awhile and this is my first posting.

I acquired by chance an Alphabet Commercial Luger #6421 i. It was frozen tight with rust when I got it. I used PB Blaster and it loosened up and I was able to disassemble it. Much to my surprise the interior was in very good shape. The only part that needed replacing was the mainspring which I have changed. The barrel is bright and shiny with no rust. The breech block is without rust as are the rest of the internal parts. The pistol now functions as normal. It is all matching.
The magazine was rusted through so I also needed to replace that. I was at a gunshow and someone had a Triple K magazine so I purchased that.

I purchased dies and have been reloading using Sierra 85gr RN bullets. I started with Unique at 5grs and the pistol started functioning well at 5.4 grs.

There are a few heavy pits on the outside. The worse is on the front grip strap as is shown in the photos I have included. The exterior of the metal has a lot of surface rust but not generally heavily pitted.
The Grips were in very bad shape and the ones shown are homemade.
I know this is a shooter but would it be best to leave as is or reblue it? I have done some touch up with Oxpho Blue from Brownells.

nukem556 · 08-29-2011, 08:04 PM

Good job at putting it back into service! I'd say hell go for it, if you wanna spiff it up some....the collector value really isn't there. Find a good TIG welder to fill up that gripstrap....i had a guy repair one for me for 30 bucks....then read up on do it yourself rust bluing ;-)

hansfischer007 · 08-29-2011, 08:33 PM

Hi...I enjoyed your photos of the Luger.....but what I think would be interesting to post would be to ....tell how you found it....what was it in..?...etc......was it one of those "found in a box in the basement.?"....etc....my mailman does house painting on the side.....and one time he had to paint the 2nd floor dormier windows....and his ladder wouldnt reach...so the elderly lady at the house...told him just to go up through the attic...and he could get access to the windows from up there.....which he did.....however in the attic....he found a WW2 Japanese NCO Sword....hanging on a nail......when he asked about it.....the elderly lady said....."oh that old thing.....my husband put that up there years ago.....you can have it.....I dont want it in the house..."...he showed it to me and I tried to buy it....but he gave it to his son....couple months later....I asked about it again......he said his son sold it for $100.00 .........Hey...what can you say..??????.......

......anyway....love to hear the story of "your luger"........

coverk · 08-29-2011, 08:42 PM

It was just by chance. I occasionally set up at gun shows. The last one I was at the guy next to me put this Luger out on his table. I was the first of the large crowd that got to it. I am not sure where he got it.

I paid $125.00 for it. I figured there would be enough in parts if I couldn't get it functional.

Edward Tinker · 08-29-2011, 08:50 PM

yes, i love to hear how folks pick stuff up

well done all around

hansfischer007 · 08-29-2011, 10:07 PM

------Did he really say $125.00 ????...

Douglas Jr. · 09-06-2011, 01:29 PM

You did fine, mainly because you put it back in order.
Congratulations.
Douglas

08-29-2011, 07:40 PM	#1
coverk User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 34 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	DWM Alphabet I have been hanging around the forum for awhile and this is my first posting. I acquired by chance an Alphabet Commercial Luger #6421 i. It was frozen tight with rust when I got it. I used PB Blaster and it loosened up and I was able to disassemble it. Much to my surprise the interior was in very good shape. The only part that needed replacing was the mainspring which I have changed. The barrel is bright and shiny with no rust. The breech block is without rust as are the rest of the internal parts. The pistol now functions as normal. It is all matching. The magazine was rusted through so I also needed to replace that. I was at a gunshow and someone had a Triple K magazine so I purchased that. I purchased dies and have been reloading using Sierra 85gr RN bullets. I started with Unique at 5grs and the pistol started functioning well at 5.4 grs. There are a few heavy pits on the outside. The worse is on the front grip strap as is shown in the photos I have included. The exterior of the metal has a lot of surface rust but not generally heavily pitted. The Grips were in very bad shape and the ones shown are homemade. I know this is a shooter but would it be best to leave as is or reblue it? I have done some touch up with Oxpho Blue from Brownells. Attached Thumbnails

08-29-2011, 08:33 PM	#3
hansfischer007 User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sunny Tennessee Posts: 233 Thanks: 509 Thanked 96 Times in 48 Posts	Luger Rebuild Hi...I enjoyed your photos of the Luger.....but what I think would be interesting to post would be to ....tell how you found it....what was it in..?...etc......was it one of those "found in a box in the basement.?"....etc....my mailman does house painting on the side.....and one time he had to paint the 2nd floor dormier windows....and his ladder wouldnt reach...so the elderly lady at the house...told him just to go up through the attic...and he could get access to the windows from up there.....which he did.....however in the attic....he found a WW2 Japanese NCO Sword....hanging on a nail......when he asked about it.....the elderly lady said....."oh that old thing.....my husband put that up there years ago.....you can have it.....I dont want it in the house..."...he showed it to me and I tried to buy it....but he gave it to his son....couple months later....I asked about it again......he said his son sold it for $100.00 .........Hey...what can you say..??????.............anyway....love to hear the story of "your luger"........

08-29-2011, 08:42 PM	#4
coverk User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 34 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	My Luger find. It was just by chance. I occasionally set up at gun shows. The last one I was at the guy next to me put this Luger out on his table. I was the first of the large crowd that got to it. I am not sure where he got it. I paid $125.00 for it. I figured there would be enough in parts if I couldn't get it functional.

08-29-2011, 08:50 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	yes, i love to hear how folks pick stuff up well done all around __________________ 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

08-29-2011, 08:04 PM	#2
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	Good job at putting it back into service! I'd say hell go for it, if you wanna spiff it up some....the collector value really isn't there. Find a good TIG welder to fill up that gripstrap....i had a guy repair one for me for 30 bucks....then read up on do it yourself rust bluing ;-)

08-29-2011, 10:07 PM	#6
hansfischer007 User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sunny Tennessee Posts: 233 Thanks: 509 Thanked 96 Times in 48 Posts	Say What.? ------Did he really say $125.00 ????...

09-06-2011, 01:29 PM	#7
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	You did fine, mainly because you put it back in order. Congratulations. Douglas