Painted grips?

[PRD1]

At the local gun show yesterday, I acquired a pretty nice 1918 DWM P08. It's all matching and in quite good condition, with a near-perfect bore.
The only odd thing about it is that the grips (aparently the originals) have at some time been painted black - so has the wood base on the magazine. The paint is worn-off on the tops of the diamonds, and around the high points on the magazine base, but the undersides of the grips retain all the original black paint.
Is this an original military 'feature' on a late Great War Luger, or just someone's customization? The pistol is otherwise un -fooled with.

Thanks;
PRD1 - mhb - Mike

[Sergio Natali]

From your description I'm afraid somebody must have messed about with that gun.
Some detailed pictures probably would confirm it.


Best


Sergio

[PRD1]

I will try to provide some photos. But the only question I have regarding the pistol concerns the grips themselves (and the paint on the magazine base, presumably).
I am satisfied that there was no 'messing about' with the pistol, with the possible exception of the condition of the grips and magazine base.
FWIW, I shot the pistol this morning, and it shoots very well, indeed.

Thanks;

PRD1 - mhb - Mike

[Sergio Natali]

Be careful never fire these old guns with modern heavy loads.
Shoot safe.


Sergio

[DavidJayUden]

I don't know what you are looking for, what you paid, or what you plan to do with it, but if it were mine the grips would be on their was to one of our re-checkering specialists. Hugh used to do it, David the Artist may do it, but if you look around you should be able to find someone to strip the paint, sharpen the checkering, and get things back to like-new.
Others will argue to leave things as-is.
dju

[rhuff]

If I found myself in your situation, I would employ a good quality paint stripper which will not only remove the paint, but also oils/grease/dirt from the grips. After that has been accomplished, you can then better evaluate the grips. A few photos of the grips after the stripping will allow the forum to help you decide if they are original grips, or not.

[wlyon]

I agree with Ruff. Paint stripper and a toothbrush will remove the paint. Just do it slowly. If they look ok after stripping apply some linseed oil. If the finish is to light mix some walnut stain with the linseed oil. Bill

[PRD1]

To clarify what I am doing and what I intend to do/wanted to know:
I bought the pistol as a shooter, and paid an appropriate price for it as such.
I can find no evidence of any mechanical changes or re-finish - except that the grips have been painted, as has the magazine base plug.
The grips appear to me to be original, though I have no expertise on Lugers in detail - and I wondered about the paint, per-se. I did think about stripping the grips, but hesitated to do so before asking for other (informed) opinions. The fact of the paint (at least in its current, worn-in condition) does not distress me much, or detract from the pistol's suitability for its intended use, so far as I am concerned, but I would be willing to 'restore' them if a consensus makes it seem worthwhile.
Sergio's advice about avoiding 'modern heavy loads' is sound, if applied to the variety of +P and +P+ type loads now available, but the standard ballistics of U.S. - made FMJ ball ammunition is unchanged in any significant way from the original German military loadings, and is, if anything, milder in terms of maximum breech pressures and velocities, and I do not use bullets heavier than 124 grains in the 9mm, or load to increased velocities. Caution is always adviseable in arms of almost 100 years old (and I shoot much older arms than that), but a Luger in otherwise good mechanical condition is perfectly capable of safe operation, though there is always some risk of parts breakage, particularly in specimens which are much-used and/or deteriorated through neglect. In this case, I consider the risk slight and acceptable.
I am attaching some photos, and I must apologize for their quality, which is representative of my equipment and skills, but I hope they will be useful.

Thanks again;
PRD1 - mhb - Mike

[ithacaartist]

Since it's a shooter, you have many options. Since it's yours, you're entitled to your choice of action--that's what that previous owner did when painting the grips, presumably a fanciful attempt to gain the "black widow" look--which appellation, itself, is a post-war marketing ploy, and a totally made-up term.

Stripping the grips is not difficult. Buy a quart of Zip Strip and put the grips into a plastic bag overnight, with enough stripper to coat them. Next day, remove the crud with a soft-ish natural bristle brush and acetone. Brush in the two "grain" directions established by the pattern of the checkering, to avoid knocking off any more material from the diamones' tips.

With the goo removed, your grips may display enough relief to be both visually satisfying and provide a feel that you like. If so, you're done--enjoy. If you wish to refresh the checkering, you can do it yourself after obtaining the specific, proper tools from Dem-Bart or other supplier of checkering tools and supplies...or send them to Hugh Clark or me. I forget his price for this procedure, but it's pretty minimal, considering...and I would charge the same.

Cleaning one's grips and refreshing the straw colored parts are the two biggest bangs for the buck when trying to improve the original-type look of a Luger! And they're just about the easiest of remedies going.

[PRD1]

Thanks for the tips! If I decide to strip the grips, I will follow your advice.
It seems that the answer to the question I originally asked is that there is no significance to the current coat of black paint on the grips and magazine base, beyond the fact that some individual owner wanted them that way: I suspected as much, but thought it best to ask.

PRD1 - mhb - Mike

[CAP Black]

PRD1:

When using any stripper use a very soft (tooth) brush and clean it often. I say toothbrush because I find it is easier to apply light pressure and toothbrush is easy to clean. Use soft cloths to clean the grips. Also use more daubing on the grips than wiping to clean. The diamonds are tender to pressure in normal circumstances and when wet are apt to have tips wiped off; for Lugers the wear already done over the years is plenty - don't make them worse.

Just my 3 cents
Jack

[PRD1]

Thanks for the additional guidance!

PRD1 - mhb - Mike

[Sergio Natali]

PRD1
If I were you I would use employ a good paint stripper a soft old toothbrush and an awful lot of patience, then you'll see if those (original?) grips are worth keeping.

Rgds

Sergio

[PRD1]

who have responded!
I am VERY pleased with this pistol, and, for now, don't intend to strip the paint: the grips are fine for my use as a shooter, and I can always strip them later, if it seems worthwhile - I don't know that restoring the grips would significantly enhance the value of what seems to be just a nice Great War Luger.
Is there any way to determine the probable date of production in 1918 - early, later - from the serial number? The suffix letter is 'h'.

Thanks;

PRD1 - mhb - Mike