"Hanger Queen" but still a Luger

[mrvair]

Hello everybody, I'm new to the LugerForum and didn't know it existed until last night. I, like most War Babies, have always wanted a Luger. A couple of months ago, a local newspaper had one advertised and I jumped at the opportunity to get it.

The story goes that it was found in an attic during an estate sale somewhere in Michigan. The guy was asking $500 but I got it for $400. I knew it was in bad condition (see pictures) but hey....it was a real Luger !!

It wasn't until I got home that I realized the receiver would not
retract all the way and that a bullet was still chambered. I took it to a gunsmith hoping he could fix it but after a couple of months of soaking it he says that the firing pin is still frozen, and the bullet is still in the chamber.

Does anybody have any ideas as to what can be done ?

[Ron Smith]

What did he soak it in?

Take the grips off and put it in a bucket of Diesel for a few days.

[DavidJayUden]

M:
If you know how to disassemble soak it without grips and take the upper off of the lower and then drive out the toggle pin to start disassembly from the back forward. Maybe watch some YouTube takedown videos if you aren't familiar with Lugers
BUT PLEASE NOTE THAT LUGERS ARE UNIQUE THAT JUST THE UPPER HALF WILL FIRE. And you are dealing with a loaded gun. And working on a loaded gun usually ends badly.
Please proceed with caution and keep us posted.
dju

[jonnyc]

I've seen much worse. That one might be restorable as a shooter. Carefully follow the advice above.

[DavidJayUden]

I agree. This is a challenge and can yield a nice shooter.
dju

[mrvair]

I'm not sure what he is soaking it in but I'm sure he knows what he is doing. I have a feeling he is ready to give up on it. I'll keep y'all posted. And thanks for the advise.

Once I get it back I'll take pictures of all the markings and let y'all tell me what I've got. I have no idea.

Thanks again.

[DavidJayUden]

I would never assume that someone knows that the top half alone will fire. That is why they added the sear safety.
Kind of like handing someone a loaded weapon and just assuming that they realize that it is loaded.
I mean, can you imagine the embarrassment showing up at the Pearly Gates and having to explain having accidentally shot yourself with just half of a rusty Luger...
dju

[Merick]

I don't even play a gunsmith on tv, but it occurs to me that if the bulled could be drilled through from the bore, in a careful manner that protected the barrel, then penetrating oil could neutralize the power and make things much safer to work on. I would let it soak in kroil or the like for a long time before trying anything.

Another reminder the top end can fire by itself. Don't give up, take your time, and be careful. Good luck.

[DavidJayUden]

Drilling a loaded round from the front thru the bullet seems a bit like snipping wires on a very large bomb. Definitely exciting.
How about an update on your progress with this problem?
And as a stupid aside, any chance of ensuring the bore is clear and then shooting it?
dju

[SleazyRider]

Had a similar problem once. I drilled the bullet through the barrel with a 1/4" diameter aircraft (12" long) drill bit, protected by a 3/8" diameter piece of wooden dowel rod that I drilled and turned down a bit on the lathe. You could also protect the barrel with a short length of neoprene or poly tubing. After drilling the bullet, I poured WD-40 down the barrel to neutralize the powder.

After I was satisfied that the cartridge was rendered inert, I turned an aluminum barrel plug with a hole tapped for a Zerk (grease) fitting, which I fit tightly to the end of the barrel and held in place with a modified C-clamp along its length. Now for the easy part: snap a grease gun onto the fitting, and in a dozen or so pumps, the cartridge will be forced out. A grease gun exerts tons of pressure, but makes a terrific mess.

You can bring this gun back to life.

[SleazyRider]

One other thing: Diet Coke contains phosphoric acid, which is the active ingredient in Naval Jelly and other rust-removers. Old-timers used to free up their rusty tractor engines by pouring Coca-Cola down the spark plug holes and letting them sit. (Diet Coke is not as sticky.)

Before you go any further, why not try soaking the gun, sans grips, in Diet Coke? Stranger things have happened ...

[policeluger]

I have milled out several shells like ths, case is for sure sweated in chamber, can you lift extractor up off shell and take gun apart with shell left in chamber.......slow milling with barrel full of Kroil type oil can render round inert....

[Merick]

Coke will remove all the bluing.

[DavidJayUden]

This brings to mind the old Hydro-Punch used to decap berdan primers. Once secure muzzle up in a vise simply fill the bore half full with light oil and insert a snug fitting wood or alloy or brass rod, then smack it with a heavy hammer. And behold the power of hydraulics.
Dress for a shower.
dju

[G.T.]

If the bore is clear, and the toggles locked down.... why not just take it to the range and pull the trigger?? It won't be stuck for long?? ...til...lat'r...GT

[lugerholsterrepair]

he says that the firing pin is still frozen


Jerry Burney

[SleazyRider]

Originally Posted by Merick

Coke will remove all the bluing.

True enough, I suppose, but the bluing looks to be the least of the problems. I'm assuming the parts will be polished and re-blued anyway.

I like the hydro-punch idea, but posit that grease would do a better job as it is more viscous and therefore less prone to escaping around the dowel rod. Be sure to smack the dowel rod with a steel hammer and not a rubber mallet.

I secretly enjoy problems like this and would love to get my hands on it! Last time I went looking for a project gun, however, I wound up getting a pristine one (a S&W Model 10) for about 25 bucks more. Who could resist?

[G.T.]

Thats a bummer... I know that guys who work on antique optics soak them for months on end in penetrating oil... That may be the only safe solution... just soak it till it comes loose.......time is an pal in this kind of issue.. Best to all, til...lat'r...GT

[mrvair]

The gunsmith finally freed up the firing pin and he got the bullet out. I appreciate all of the advice and fortunately didn't have to use any of it !! I was surprised to find out that it is a .30 and not a 9mm. Kinda disappointed but now I can justify another Luger just to get a 9.
I would like to try and date it with your help. I have attached pictures of all the markings not already posted.

Is it common for the receiver to hang up as shown in my last picture? If not, I would appreciate a solution to fix it.

I can't wait to shoot it (the gunsmith said it was OK to do so.)
Problem is, I'm like Barney....just one bullet !! I've ordered a few boxes but they are on back order.

Thanks again for everybody's help...this is a great forum.

[mrvair]

My first pictures were too large to submit.