1915 DWM shooter - a little advice please

Stu · 04-02-2005, 02:01 PM

Just checking over a very expensive impulse buy, which is my first artillery. DWM 1915 ser # 4501 a. Matching #'s but the refinish wiped out the proofs and most of the sideplate number

I was hoping for some advice on the following; the rear sight ladder only requires very modest pressure to lift, does this indicate a worn out spring ? Does the securing pin on the sight ladder need to be drifted out in a specific direction ?

The repro grips have to go, but a pair from a 41 byf are simply the wrong shape. Is the frame shape between Mauser, DWM and Erfurt different ? I'd like to find out what period / make I need to search for.

The magazine that came with it is a nice condition rolled blued se/63 ser # 3124 s. I'd like to trade this for some repro wood bottomed mags or better grips but I've no idea of the relative values; any advice ?

I'm also looking for a fine tune screw for the front site, I don't think Mr Heller has one, any ideas where else to look, (gunparts, sarco etc don't have them listed).

I have to confess I really like this gun, but have to resist the urge at these prices

Thanks in advance for any help, Stu

ADDENDUM: Well, I worked out what was wrong with the rear sight; I believe there should be two projections on the underside of the adjustable slider that run under the rails formed on the top of each side of the base. These would prevent the sight from rising away from the base.

Could anyone confirm this diagnosis please ? I suspect I'll have to return the gun, most unfortunate.

George Anderson · 04-02-2005, 08:11 PM

Stuart, it's a shame that your 1915 has been boogered. It aint worth much now so I would not invest any big money in grips etc. Simpson has fine tune screws for the rear sight for $40 but none for the front. I am negotiating to buy a barrel in order to get the front sight adjusting screw now. Should my efforts prove adequate, I will have a screw that I might sell but it will cost a hell of alot more than $40.

Stu · 04-02-2005, 08:49 PM

Thanks George. I think I've found a slider for $20, repro I suspect, but I think it can be made to work. There is a screw on the front site which works, just slotted rather than the pin type.

Good luck on the barrel purchase.

I'll try to negotiate on the price for this one, given what I've found. The price of these guns keep going up though. I'm not sure I'd have the nerve to lay out for another if I send this one back !

Craig · 04-02-2005, 09:24 PM

If I might ask how much did you pay for this gun. It might be a canadate for a Thor job?

Stu · 04-03-2005, 10:24 AM

Hi Craig. An embarrasing amount is as far as I'll go now, (but still hundreds rather than thousands) !

The refinish is actually quite well done. The surfaces have been kept sharp and the blue quality is quite good, (but not rust blued). Thor has reworked an Erfurt for me in the past, and this doesn't match that quality, but is much better than many I've seen that looked as though someone had at them with a rotary buffer !

Just trying to decide about the sight slider and if to return it.

I don't see many artillerys down this way, and the price of originals is way out of reach so this is a tough decision.

Craig · 04-03-2005, 01:39 PM

If you should decide to send it back please give the folks on the Forum a crack at it.

Thanks
Craig

Edward Tinker · 04-03-2005, 07:49 PM

If less than 1k, still not a rip-off to you... I expect that an artillery is hard to find for less than that any more?

ed

Craig · 04-03-2005, 08:01 PM

I would love to get a good one that Thor could do his magic on for a $1K.

Stu · 04-03-2005, 09:16 PM

Well I shudder to confess I put down $900 on this. If the sight wasn't broken I could just about rationalise it; the refinish is to a reasonable standard and all the parts match, notwithstanding the loss of the proofs.

I'm going to investigate repair options until Monday night but will then have to decide on the the return option.

Craig · 04-03-2005, 09:23 PM

There is a wizard in Texas that can restore the numbers and proofs. His name is Bill Adair. He has done work on two of my Lugers, one C-96, and is doing a custom Winchester 21 for me. I can't say enough about his work!

Stu · 04-03-2005, 09:29 PM

A tempting thought. What's your opinion on the 'boosting' aspect of this ? I know, and appreciate, the level of passion this kind of restoration generates ! I'm not sure quite how I feel about either, but it would be nice to see this otherwise matching piece returned to it's former glory.

Any indication as to pricing on his services Craig ?

Craig · 04-03-2005, 09:32 PM

He put the eagle back on my 1906AE for $50. Some jerk gunsmith buffed half of it off. It looks like it came off the show room floor.

Dwight Gruber · 04-04-2005, 03:29 AM

Stu,

In my opinion, $900 is not an unreasonable price for an all-matching 1915 DWM LP-08 in such condition as yours. Even though the finish is all wrong and some of the markings have been dimished, it appears that in the metal work some care was taken to retain proper surfaces--note particularly the work on the side plate--and not buff the corners round.

Also, keep in mind that estimated production for this year's Artilleries is only 15,000 pieces, the lowest production figure for all LPs except for the 1914 DWM, so they are not exactly the most common Lugers around.

Good luck with your decision, and keep us all up on your progress.

--Dwight

pipeman45 · 04-04-2005, 12:15 PM

From what I've seen lately thats not a bad price for it. The cost of having it redone right would not be cheep,but wouldn't it be nice to see it as it was meant to be. As long as you didn't try to pass it off as original, there would not be a boosting issue.

Stu · 04-04-2005, 09:20 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I'll go ahead and try to get the slider repaired. I hope to get a replacement from Sarco in the interim, just to complete the gun.

I just need to find a better set of grips and a repo rig and it's off to the range !

Stu · 04-11-2005, 06:34 PM

Quick update for anyone interested. The replacement slider arrived and is in good condition, but is Erfurt proofed ! I'm going to test with this one and have ordered another just to see what arrives.

One the sight is functional I'll be trying to get the original repaired using the second replacement as a pattern for the repairer, (some delicate work in there).

Stu

04-02-2005, 02:01 PM	#1
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	1915 DWM shooter - a little advice please Just checking over a very expensive impulse buy, which is my first artillery. DWM 1915 ser # 4501 a. Matching #'s but the refinish wiped out the proofs and most of the sideplate number I was hoping for some advice on the following; the rear sight ladder only requires very modest pressure to lift, does this indicate a worn out spring ? Does the securing pin on the sight ladder need to be drifted out in a specific direction ? The repro grips have to go, but a pair from a 41 byf are simply the wrong shape. Is the frame shape between Mauser, DWM and Erfurt different ? I'd like to find out what period / make I need to search for. The magazine that came with it is a nice condition rolled blued se/63 ser # 3124 s. I'd like to trade this for some repro wood bottomed mags or better grips but I've no idea of the relative values; any advice ? I'm also looking for a fine tune screw for the front site, I don't think Mr Heller has one, any ideas where else to look, (gunparts, sarco etc don't have them listed). I have to confess I really like this gun, but have to resist the urge at these prices Thanks in advance for any help, Stu ADDENDUM: Well, I worked out what was wrong with the rear sight; I believe there should be two projections on the underside of the adjustable slider that run under the rails formed on the top of each side of the base. These would prevent the sight from rising away from the base. Could anyone confirm this diagnosis please ? I suspect I'll have to return the gun, most unfortunate.

04-02-2005, 09:24 PM	#4
Craig User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 58 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If I might ask how much did you pay for this gun. It might be a canadate for a Thor job? __________________ In God we trust, all others we monitor!

04-03-2005, 01:39 PM	#6
Craig User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 58 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you should decide to send it back please give the folks on the Forum a crack at it. Thanks Craig __________________ In God we trust, all others we monitor!

04-03-2005, 08:01 PM	#8
Craig User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 58 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I would love to get a good one that Thor could do his magic on for a $1K. __________________ In God we trust, all others we monitor!

04-03-2005, 09:23 PM	#10
Craig User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 58 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There is a wizard in Texas that can restore the numbers and proofs. His name is Bill Adair. He has done work on two of my Lugers, one C-96, and is doing a custom Winchester 21 for me. I can't say enough about his work! __________________ In God we trust, all others we monitor!

04-02-2005, 08:11 PM	#2
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,531 Times in 788 Posts	Stuart, it's a shame that your 1915 has been boogered. It aint worth much now so I would not invest any big money in grips etc. Simpson has fine tune screws for the rear sight for $40 but none for the front. I am negotiating to buy a barrel in order to get the front sight adjusting screw now. Should my efforts prove adequate, I will have a screw that I might sell but it will cost a hell of alot more than $40.

04-02-2005, 08:49 PM	#3
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Thanks George. I think I've found a slider for $20, repro I suspect, but I think it can be made to work. There is a screw on the front site which works, just slotted rather than the pin type. Good luck on the barrel purchase. I'll try to negotiate on the price for this one, given what I've found. The price of these guns keep going up though. I'm not sure I'd have the nerve to lay out for another if I send this one back !

04-03-2005, 10:24 AM	#5
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Hi Craig. An embarrasing amount is as far as I'll go now, (but still hundreds rather than thousands) ! The refinish is actually quite well done. The surfaces have been kept sharp and the blue quality is quite good, (but not rust blued). Thor has reworked an Erfurt for me in the past, and this doesn't match that quality, but is much better than many I've seen that looked as though someone had at them with a rotary buffer ! Just trying to decide about the sight slider and if to return it. I don't see many artillerys down this way, and the price of originals is way out of reach so this is a tough decision.

04-03-2005, 07:49 PM	#7
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	If less than 1k, still not a rip-off to you... I expect that an artillery is hard to find for less than that any more? ed

04-03-2005, 09:16 PM	#9
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Well I shudder to confess I put down $900 on this. If the sight wasn't broken I could just about rationalise it; the refinish is to a reasonable standard and all the parts match, notwithstanding the loss of the proofs. I'm going to investigate repair options until Monday night but will then have to decide on the the return option.

04-03-2005, 09:29 PM	#11
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	A tempting thought. What's your opinion on the 'boosting' aspect of this ? I know, and appreciate, the level of passion this kind of restoration generates ! I'm not sure quite how I feel about either, but it would be nice to see this otherwise matching piece returned to it's former glory. Any indication as to pricing on his services Craig ?

04-03-2005, 09:32 PM	#12
Craig User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 58 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	He put the eagle back on my 1906AE for $50. Some jerk gunsmith buffed half of it off. It looks like it came off the show room floor. __________________ In God we trust, all others we monitor!

04-04-2005, 03:29 AM	#13
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Stu, In my opinion, $900 is not an unreasonable price for an all-matching 1915 DWM LP-08 in such condition as yours. Even though the finish is all wrong and some of the markings have been dimished, it appears that in the metal work some care was taken to retain proper surfaces--note particularly the work on the side plate--and not buff the corners round. Also, keep in mind that estimated production for this year's Artilleries is only 15,000 pieces, the lowest production figure for all LPs except for the 1914 DWM, so they are not exactly the most common Lugers around. Good luck with your decision, and keep us all up on your progress. --Dwight

04-04-2005, 12:15 PM	#14
pipeman45 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	From what I've seen lately thats not a bad price for it. The cost of having it redone right would not be cheep,but wouldn't it be nice to see it as it was meant to be. As long as you didn't try to pass it off as original, there would not be a boosting issue. __________________ Dave

04-04-2005, 09:20 PM	#15
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Thanks for all the feedback. I think I'll go ahead and try to get the slider repaired. I hope to get a replacement from Sarco in the interim, just to complete the gun. I just need to find a better set of grips and a repo rig and it's off to the range !

04-11-2005, 06:34 PM	#16
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Quick update for anyone interested. The replacement slider arrived and is in good condition, but is Erfurt proofed ! I'm going to test with this one and have ordered another just to see what arrives. One the sight is functional I'll be trying to get the original repaired using the second replacement as a pattern for the repairer, (some delicate work in there). Stu