my profile |
register |
faq |
search upload photo | donate | calendar |
04-08-2016, 09:59 AM | #1 |
User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 6
Thanks: 8
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Flat Spring
A friend of mine inherited a 1914 Luger originally belonging to a WWI vet/uncle of his not long ago. Another friend recommended he not fire it as there is a "flat spring" in the gun that might break. Anyone ever heard of this? Would this be the firing pin release? The "gun is loaded" indicator on top? Is there an easy fix?
|
04-08-2016, 10:10 AM | #2 |
User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy
Posts: 2,646
Thanks: 1,082
Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts
|
Eggman
First of all welcome from the other side of the Atlantic, and I hope you'll enjoy being part of this Luger forum. I assume by flat spring you mean perhaps the so called "Schliessfeder alter Art" the flat riband type mainspring that in the New Model 1900/06 was replaced by a coil spring, in which case I would agree that the former was surely more easy to breake, especially if not used for a while. My two bob. Cheers.
__________________
"Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list. |
The following member says Thank You to Sergio Natali for your post: |
04-08-2016, 11:29 AM | #3 |
Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal...
Posts: 8,182
Thanks: 1,398
Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts
|
The Old Model Luger used a 2-leaf flat mainspring and it can frequently be found with one leaf broken. Tom Heller has rebuilt flat mainsprings periodically, and there is a seller on eBay who sells NOS flat 2-piece mainsprings occasionally. (You can find his eBay listing by doing a Search here for mainsprings).
__________________
I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter... |
The following member says Thank You to sheepherder for your post: |
04-08-2016, 12:16 PM | #4 |
Twice a Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY
Posts: 3,289
Thanks: 7,043
Thanked 2,482 Times in 1,323 Posts
|
Welcome, Eggman,
The flat mainspring was phased out long before 1914, which makes me wonder what the situation is with this gun. It would be a good idea to remove the right grip so that the type of spring can be determined. The friend's friend might not be correct about this particular pistol.
__________________
"... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894 |
The following member says Thank You to ithacaartist for your post: |
04-08-2016, 12:19 PM | #5 |
Moderator
2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso
Posts: 6,988
Thanks: 1,067
Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts
|
The ejector is a "flat spring" although we don't usually think of it as a spring.
__________________
If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction |
04-08-2016, 01:53 PM | #6 |
User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 6
Thanks: 8
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
THANKS GUYS! Been a while since I've been on here. I'm always amazed at how incredibly smart/informed folks on this forum are. I've got the guy pulling the grips - probably today. If coil is in there shooting commences not later than this summer. If by chance there is a flat spring (the guy suggesting this was not a hard core Luger man) we'll likely look at building a suitable replacement.
|
04-09-2016, 05:05 AM | #7 |
User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy
Posts: 2,646
Thanks: 1,082
Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts
|
Eggman
Please let us now, it takes 20 seconds to remove one grip and see if that gun has got a spring coil or a spring leaf... don't keep us on tenderhooks... ... and some close up pictures of it wouldn't hurt...
__________________
"Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list. |
The following member says Thank You to Sergio Natali for your post: |
04-09-2016, 02:50 PM | #8 |
User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 197
Thanks: 26
Thanked 315 Times in 112 Posts
|
If it's your first time, I suggest removing the right grip. It's too easy to knock a chip of the left grip under the safety arm if you're clumsy taking the grip off.
Here are two Navy lugers, one flat mainspring and one coil (hidden a bit behind the grip safety).
__________________
- Mike Life member: NRA, OVMS, VGCA Member: NAPCA, N-SSA(Veteran) Si vis pacem, para bellum |
04-09-2016, 03:28 PM | #9 |
User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 6
Thanks: 8
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Yeah I got the "right grip" to him on time - I knew this once. Anyway there is a nice coil spring in there so he is on the road to nirvana. His camera is just now arriving back from India - he expects a chance to provide photos later next week.
A correction, it was captured by his uncle in the Huertgen forest alright, but during the WWII Bulge battle. The guy was recalled for Korea and carried the thing thru that conflict. He's expressed concern about ammo - I pointed out the common availability of 9mm Luger. What's the chance it's some other caliber??? More to follow. |
04-09-2016, 06:51 PM | #10 |
Twice a Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY
Posts: 3,289
Thanks: 7,043
Thanked 2,482 Times in 1,323 Posts
|
Odds are it's 9mm, though 7.65 mm/.30 Luger is a possibility. Pencil test! A standard pencil will plunk to the bottom of a 9mm bore with no resistance. A .30 Luger barrel will be a snug fit. (Don't use the end with the metal collar.)
9mm--Military, almost all Police, some commercial. .30 Luger--mostly commercial and contract guns. The Swiss used this caliber from 1900 until the Parabellum was replaced as their standard sidearm.
__________________
"... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894 |
The following member says Thank You to ithacaartist for your post: |
|
|