Lugers saved from the Corrosion Monster - Page 2

Daddydogg · 01-07-2011, 04:51 PM

Radiohack,

You will not be disappointed. Thor is truely a master of his art. I was fortunate enough to have him perform his magic on one of my guns. The result of his work took my breath away, it is truely stunning. That gun will be cherished by me for the rest of my life and will live on with my heirs. I only wish that I had the resources to afford another restoration project at this time. Consider yourself most fortunate to have the opportunty to work with such a gifted artist.

Daddydogg

RadioHack · 01-09-2011, 03:34 PM

Well I picked up my Luger and I will post pics as soon as possible. But for right now, a brief description will have to suffice.
It's a single dated 1918 Erfurt all the external numbers match down to the magazine and grips, I field stripped it and all internal numbers match as well. Internally, the pistol could have been made yesterday, the bore is fantastic, and the parts look pristine.
Unfortunately it does have corrosion damage similar to the "before" pics posted by Mr. Thor. It's mainly on the right side of the Pistol, so I'm blaming it on improper storage whilst laying it on its right side. There is also some more but much less pitting on the left side so it may have had something lying on top of it.
The only provenance I could get on it was that the previous owner (quite elderly) had gotten it from his Father who served during the Great War and he had kept the pistol for many years and had basically forgotten about it because it did not interest him. When he rediscovered it, he decided to sell it.
For just over $500, it's now mine. Considering the price that even crappy Russian capture Lugers have been going for, I think I did well.

RadioHack · 01-09-2011, 06:03 PM

Here's some initial pics -

Click image for larger version

Name: Luger 013.JPG
Views: 31
Size: 118.5 KB
ID: 16691

Click image for larger version

Name: Luger 017.jpg
Views: 23
Size: 239.1 KB
ID: 16692

Click image for larger version

Name: Luger 021.JPG
Views: 23
Size: 73.0 KB
ID: 16693

nukem556 · 01-09-2011, 06:28 PM

this is a timely thread, as I've come across a Luger for sale thats been bitten by the "monster." Thing is, it's a 1900, which I'd dearly love to have an example of and is available for around 1300.00. Do you think it could be restored to where the pitting wouldn't be noticable?

Thor · 01-09-2011, 09:35 PM

Nukem556, it would probably cost more to restore it than the Luger is worth, I would try and find a better example that did not have any bluing, but the metal is better, I have restored ones like that before so I know they exist. You would be looking at a lot of welding in the deep areas and tedious metal cutting and shaping to make it look right. It can be done but is it worth the trouble, cost and time?

Ezra · 01-09-2011, 10:55 PM

Truly amazing skills. You Sir, are an artist.

Ez

timn · 02-01-2011, 11:40 AM

Ted,

That indeed is beautiful work. My compliments.

Since my experience with Lugers is limited and the steel is incredibly hard,do you mind if I ask how you worked out the pitting?

Also, did you slow rust blue the piece?

Thanks,

tim

Thor · 02-01-2011, 01:43 PM

Thanks for the compliments. As a Business policy I dont discuss my secrets, tricks, magical methods, materials etc IDTMPC. Thanks!

Thor · 05-25-2019, 01:57 PM

Some people dont remember this business policy I have. I made a comment on it on Jan Still's forum today.

01-09-2011, 03:34 PM	#22
RadioHack User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 20 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Well I picked up my Luger and I will post pics as soon as possible. But for right now, a brief description will have to suffice. It's a single dated 1918 Erfurt all the external numbers match down to the magazine and grips, I field stripped it and all internal numbers match as well. Internally, the pistol could have been made yesterday, the bore is fantastic, and the parts look pristine. Unfortunately it does have corrosion damage similar to the "before" pics posted by Mr. Thor. It's mainly on the right side of the Pistol, so I'm blaming it on improper storage whilst laying it on its right side. There is also some more but much less pitting on the left side so it may have had something lying on top of it. The only provenance I could get on it was that the previous owner (quite elderly) had gotten it from his Father who served during the Great War and he had kept the pistol for many years and had basically forgotten about it because it did not interest him. When he rediscovered it, he decided to sell it. For just over $500, it's now mine. Considering the price that even crappy Russian capture Lugers have been going for, I think I did well. Last edited by RadioHack; 01-09-2011 at 06:00 PM.

01-09-2011, 06:28 PM	#24
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	Ted,whatya think? this is a timely thread, as I've come across a Luger for sale thats been bitten by the "monster." Thing is, it's a 1900, which I'd dearly love to have an example of and is available for around 1300.00. Do you think it could be restored to where the pitting wouldn't be noticable? Attached Thumbnails

01-09-2011, 09:35 PM	#25
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Nukem556, it would probably cost more to restore it than the Luger is worth, I would try and find a better example that did not have any bluing, but the metal is better, I have restored ones like that before so I know they exist. You would be looking at a lot of welding in the deep areas and tedious metal cutting and shaping to make it look right. It can be done but is it worth the trouble, cost and time? __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

02-01-2011, 01:43 PM	#28
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Thanks for the compliments. As a Business policy I dont discuss my secrets, tricks, magical methods, materials etc IDTMPC. Thanks! __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

05-25-2019, 01:57 PM	#29
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Some people dont remember this business policy I have. I made a comment on it on Jan Still's forum today. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

01-07-2011, 04:51 PM	#21
Daddydogg User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 69 Thanks: 35 Thanked 11 Times in 9 Posts	Radiohack, You will not be disappointed. Thor is truely a master of his art. I was fortunate enough to have him perform his magic on one of my guns. The result of his work took my breath away, it is truely stunning. That gun will be cherished by me for the rest of my life and will live on with my heirs. I only wish that I had the resources to afford another restoration project at this time. Consider yourself most fortunate to have the opportunty to work with such a gifted artist. Daddydogg

01-09-2011, 06:03 PM	#23
RadioHack User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 20 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Here's some initial pics -

01-09-2011, 10:55 PM	#26
Ezra User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Washington State Posts: 43 Thanks: 4 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Truly amazing skills. You Sir, are an artist. Ez

02-01-2011, 11:40 AM	#27
timn User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ted, That indeed is beautiful work. My compliments. Since my experience with Lugers is limited and the steel is incredibly hard,do you mind if I ask how you worked out the pitting? Also, did you slow rust blue the piece? Thanks, tim