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Unread 11-09-2002, 09:04 PM   #1
Thor
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Just to let you guys know. I am currently thinking long and hard about going back into the Engineering field. More on this tomorrow! It stinks being broke all the time. Starting your own business is tough, especially in this economy! Thanks to all my friends and clients for all your help in my endevours. MAJOR soul searching going on here!!! All my Christian friends please pray for us for direction from the Good Lord!
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Unread 11-09-2002, 11:45 PM   #2
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Thor,

I worked in engineering (mechanical) for 45 years. Many times I studied businesses, etc. etc. I concluded that the best bet (financially) was to stay in my field if at all possible. Sometimes it was hard--relocating, etc. and I drooled at the prospect of going into a business--auto repair in my case. Anyway, I understand your dilema and wish you well. I'm still enjoying your restored 1915 DWM. It really looks and shoots great (although I'm using a fluted firing pin and Mec-Gar magazines from Tom and Doug).
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Unread 11-10-2002, 12:05 AM   #3
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I to wish you well, your own buisness is tough, geting a regular paycheck has its positives from mister corporation tho!

Best to you brother!! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
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Unread 11-10-2002, 12:38 PM   #4
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I just retired from over 34 years of Federal service, civil engineering....nice to have the benifits of a pay check every month for life, along with health and life insurance, and more time to spend on guns and hunting. I used the gunsmith business to support my toys and the Fed job to support my family. But you are right, all thing will be given to you through pray and faith in the Lord...
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Unread 11-10-2002, 04:17 PM   #5
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Ted, you are a specialty master gun smith. My wife is a master specialty baker. The beauty you create with guns is parallel to what she does in her bakery. She has been doing it for seven years, folks come from way off because no one else does it, she works twelve hours a day on her feet four days a week. Her customers love her, take her picture, pay the highest compliments, visit for hours, but the reality is there is no way we could live on what she makes. The amout of skill, time and pure hard work does not correspond with what the market will pay. It does pays her overhead, insurance, ect., but enough to live on, no.

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Unread 11-10-2002, 08:53 PM   #6
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I'm fairly new to the forum, joined a couple months ago and appreciate the combined knowledge of this group of luger enthusiasts--a quality place to share common interests. I also received my first Ted Green luger last Friday--a 1939 code 42/matching luger that I sent to Ted for re-finishing. Needless to say, its far more beautiful than high quality photos can accurately convey. We sent the grips to Hugh for a make-over, and wow did this set off the final product! Ted if you would like to attach one of the pics you sent me, feel free to do so. I was shocked when I compared the refinished pistol to a very minty/original/matching 1936 S/42 luger of mine. In sunlight the two match identically in color/depth of finish, unbelievable! Is this a coinsidence, I don't think so. I know that "rust-blue" and "strawed" parts are not historically correct for a 1939, but that's what I wanted, and was willing to pay for--it had been previously re-blued anyway--Ted's work only enhanced this marvel of engineering, gave it eye appeal, and the feel of a new pistol, ok pre-mid 1937. I wish Ted the very best in his future pursuits, and feel fortunate to to own a "Ted Green original". I do not know how many Forum members have seen one of Ted's pistols first hand--probably not many I guess. It's a marketing and exposure thing--If there are 600 forum members out there, I bet there's at least 500 lugers that could use Ted's services! The dollars spent will be well worth it, and you'll be preserving your pistol for generations to come. I have no stake in Ted's business, but do recognize high quality when I see it. If you love the luger you owe it to yourself to own a Ted Green original--it will be the pistol you compare everything else you own to, and the pleasure you'll receive from his work will far exceed the price of admission--which by the way is a hell of a great deal. Thanks Ted, best of luck--hope you will find a way to prosper at the business you love the most! RP.
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Unread 11-10-2002, 11:30 PM   #7
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Ted, something tells me you will be working on toggle tops for many years to come. Maybe it's because I can't think of anyone who could do what you do to make a doggy Luger look like it just came out of the factory. It's more than a science and all of your expertise is evident in the work you do. I understand the money aspect, however. I think that is why we hear the term 'starving artist' used when referring to people who have found their niche in life and make a business out of it. Since I have one of your 'works of art' (maybe the best one) I feel obliged to recommend (even to those insufferable 'purists') that anyone who loves Lugers..the guns themselves and not all the 'fairy tales'..to get your hands on a decent shooter and have it refinished by Ted Green. 100 years from now his guns will be the ones that people ask "How much?" about. If you haven't held one in the sunlight..heck, I am preaching to the choir here. It's too bad that this country is going through such tough times financially (well, 97% of us anyway). The good side is that once one has mastered the skill it is knowledge that you won't lose. I hope to see lots of these beautiful guns painstakingly restored to their original beauty. If anyone questions their value after restoration all they have to do is watch the way they sell at auction. Good things happen to good people. Hang in there. Bill
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Unread 11-12-2002, 10:44 AM   #8
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Hang in there Ted! We will keep you in our prayers... If you must go back to Engineering to feed the family, by all means do so... but Never give up your MASTER skills on restoration and refinished Lugers and other guns... Just do them as time permits. Your personal services are too good to shelve away for good. You have already made a name for yourself in this community. Your workmanship is legendary...

God Bless you and guide you in your decision.
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Unread 11-12-2002, 08:52 PM   #9
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Thanks to all my dear friends, I sold a Luger Sunday and got another order for a rework from our friend Frank on the forum! Seems like I am being directed to continue! Just when things look bleakest MUCH was provided. Thank you guys for all your help and good wishes very much! I am truely blessed! Lugers shipping tomorrow are Tim Phillips 1917 DWM and Mark's excellent Erfurt 1914 Arty.
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Unread 11-12-2002, 09:52 PM   #10
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And there will be more to come, Ted. As soon as I can do so, I will send you my 41/42 shooter for a reblue/straw, as well as my Walther PP. Also, I've e-mailed the photos of the Erfurt to a couple of Luger afficionados who hadn't yet heard of the forum or of you. We fixed that today, I suspect.

Best regards,

Mark
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Unread 11-14-2002, 06:02 PM   #11
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I recieved Ted's 1917 DWM today. Opened the package when I got home from work. All I can say is WOW! This is THE FINEST looking luger I have ever seen. The pictures just don't do justice to the quality of Ted's work. I'd been reading this forum for months and had posted a few questions and had repeatedly read others descriptions of his restorations and had decided quite some time ago that when the right one came along, I'd buy it. I'm glad I waited as I think he would have to go a long way to end up with a finished product that looked better than this. This pistol is a work of art. I know the intended purpose of one of Thor's beauties is to be taken to the range and shot, but I think I'll look at this one for quite some time before I can bring myself to fling a few downrange with it.
Smiling from ear to ear,
Tim <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
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Unread 11-14-2002, 07:22 PM   #12
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Thanks much Tim, it was the best one so far!! You got a beauty there!!! I have a dynamite picture that I will gladly email to anyone that would like to see it. Email requests at Thor340@aol.com Posting pictures here really downgrades the pictures so I prefer to email it! Mark Mansour gets his Artillery tonight also! That was a cool Luger too. Thanks guys!
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Unread 11-14-2002, 08:25 PM   #13
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Mark Mansour (that would be me) got his Erfurt Artillery Luger from Ted (Thor) Green an hour or so ago.

It took me twenty minutes to get out of the gun shop because I had to wait for them all to finish ogling and drooling. (My wife commented, drily, that most women would kill to be looked at with such lust). Ted's business card was gone before I left the store. A customer took it, but not before the gun shop owners, Mike and Gary, took a copy for themselves to recommend to customers.

I can't stop staring at. My wife will not allow it on the dinner table, however. In any case, I will have stared at it enough between now and Saturday morning to take it to the range, after which time I will provide a full report.

I would encourage folks to request a photo from Ted of the Erfurt. John Sabato has seen the real thing before, as well as the after photos. You would not believe it is the same gun, and it looks even better in real life, if such a thing is possible.

Thanks a million for taking care of it so lovingly, Ted. You did the old soldier proud. No one could believe that it was manufactured in 1914. It looks like it just came out of the Royal Erfurt Arsenal. Plus, the repairs he did are fabulous. Everything feels so incredibly crisp; it certainly never felt that good. Ted tuned the adjustable rear sight for two hundred yards, and sent his target along as well. Full service, if there ever was such a thing.

Thor really ought to be teaching a new generation of craftsmen, to ensure that generations to come will have the thrill of owning one of these masterpieces.

Before I forget, a million thanks to Hugh, who did equally fabulous work on the grips. They have to be seen to be believed. This site is an incredible resource, full of some fascinating, incredibly well-informed and talented people. I feel fortunate to have found about about it, and have learned more about many things over the course of the past months than I ever expected.


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Unread 11-15-2002, 11:47 AM   #14
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Mark, Now what you need for that beauty is a custom case by Center Custom Cases and have the Crown Over Erfurt Laser Engraved on the top of the Mahogany case top. You can get it lined in red, green, or blue. My baby Luger case was lined in a cobalt/royal blue and I love it! It has the German Eagle engraved on the lid which really sets it off.
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Unread 11-15-2002, 12:46 PM   #15
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Already in the works Thor. I have a case on order with Les, but he is so busy it may take quite some time to get here. Still, it will be worth the wait.
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Unread 11-15-2002, 07:31 PM   #16
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Here is one that he used on a WWI Luger's Case
The Imperial German Eagle laser engraved into the lid! Neat huh!
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Unread 11-16-2002, 03:10 AM   #17
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Maybe you should think of advertising in gun magazines and submitting samples to the writers. I shot your 1921 DWM and everyone at work was really impressed, as was I. I found out about you merely by chance while surfing the internet. I have several custom handguns and the only other person I knew who worked on Lugers was Martz and he's astronomically expensive. Maybe some aggressive marketing would bring in more business.
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Unread 12-03-2002, 01:47 AM   #18
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Just to let everyone know, the Lugers are coming in much faster to TLSS and ol Thor is grateful! Looks like I will be in the Luger business for a while now! Thank you all! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
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Unread 12-03-2002, 10:47 PM   #19
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That is absolutely wonderful news Ted, and more than deserved!
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Unread 08-28-2017, 09:29 AM   #20
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How about that 16 years and over 400 Lugers later, not to mention all those Broomhandles, PPKs, P.38s (really enjoy working on those more) and other pistols, I am still at it but slowed down a bunch. I have 4 Lugers in the que right now, God is good to me.
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