Frankenstein Luger

Scorpius · 02-25-2015, 12:14 PM

Curious....Been reading the thread on strawing, putting back original finish, etc.

What would it take to piece together a luger (besides finding all the parts people may have) and putting together a shooter? Do you have to find parts within a tolerance to match up in order for it to be a decent shooter? If so which parts specifically. (has anyone ever done this?)

Also I noticed a lugerman site where it looks like for under a grand you can get either a Frankenstein or a matching/mismatched shooter returned to what looks like pristine condition. Does that increase the value of your 'shooter' to where it would normally have been if found in the same condition? Does he mark so that people can't pass off as unrefinished or does that matter when it's done so well?

I know lots of questions, but new to luger collecting. Lots of info to absorb.

alanint · 02-25-2015, 12:20 PM

Yes, making it feed and fire reliably might be an issue, as all parts were factory fitted together.

To build a Luger from parts is a lot like assembling a car from parts. It will be much cheaper to find an complete, mismatched shooter than to piece one together.

DavidJayUden · 02-25-2015, 12:36 PM

Regarding the value of a restored mismatched Luger, I'd not consider that to be a wise investment. Some rare or otherwise special guns benefit from restoration services, but generally it is a losing proposition. Probably better to buy what you want the first time, as good stuff doesn't lose value.
dju

G.T. · 02-25-2015, 02:10 PM

Hi Scorpius, The advice given above is both sage and wise! And is, without a doubt, the smart way to go.. But, having said that, there is a small group here on the forum that just can't, and most times won't, leave a mismatched or common luger alone.. I happen to be one of those guys..

... But, building one from scratch out of loose parts successfully, most times comes at the extreme experience end of the learning curve, not so much in the beginning. The AR experience has left us with a whole generation of young gun enthusiasts that can and will build their own, and have considerable success doing so. Well, the Luger is not in that build group for instant success... I would still recommend that you try to build, whether you succeed or fail? As the knowledge gained will far offset the cost of a few old Luger parts... In other words, you'll get real smart, real fast in this game...

... Best to you, til...lat'r....GT ...

BTW, I sell parts, as well as Luger Doc, and Eugene, (Lugerman) ... good luck!

Diver6106 · 02-25-2015, 05:34 PM

My second Luger #2787 was a very nice DWM 1915 all matching, but no toggle, grips or mag - $525. I had a 22LR kit for it and it is a complete toggle and barrel liner - $400 - so just needed some grips. It shoots fine. But then I noticed a complete DWM 9MM toggle set up for sale and so bought it for a dual caliber use - $149. It needed the rear pin. So I bought the toggle and a 0.05 pin, but I had to use an emery cloth & clean the rear pin to match the toggle in clearance. It shoots 9mm fine. So ever since Eli Whitney and his 1801 interchangeable gun parts, this concept has worked. And I really wanted a WWI for shooting, at $675 + grips here with membership, it is GREAT!!!

Sergio Natali · 02-26-2015, 05:55 AM

Scott

Lugers are not GLOCKs, and in my opinion unless you're an old well seasoned armourer I wouldn't advice to even start putting a Luger together, at the time all parts were factory fitted together by experienced workers.
For your own experience get a mismatched shooter and use it for learning.
FWIW

Sergio

alanint · 02-26-2015, 07:10 AM

Have you ever seen those ads in Car Trader magazines that state something like:

"$80,000 invested, asking $30,000"

Well, there you have it............................

sheepherder · 02-26-2015, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.T.

In other words, you'll get real smart, real fast in this game...

...And real broke...

You mention Lugerman [Eugene Golubstov] as a potential restorer...Eugene moves at his own pace...If you decide to go with him, be patient...

Lugerdoc · 02-26-2015, 09:08 AM

I end up getting a lot of these Franken lugers, that the builder can't get to function properly. TH

cirelaw · 02-26-2015, 09:11 AM

Tom, are all DWM and Erfurt parts interchangeable?

Diver6106 · 02-26-2015, 09:20 AM

Do we have some gun dealers or armors denigrating DIY...? Put your Sabots back on boys. I imagine Eli Whitney wasn't very popular with custom gun makers either.

Scorpius · 02-26-2015, 09:39 AM

I definately see both sides. One one hand if you buy pieces that need little to know work, based on the parts I've seen. You could easily buy a nice s/42 maybe even a g or k model that's in very good condition at a minimum.
On the other I am very detail oriented, naturally mechanically inclined, but I would basically need to truly Frankenstein it by getting parts cheaply which means very pitted at the least needing some sort of metal addition and rework. While gun smithing definately interests me, (something im thinking would be awesome to do when I retire in 10-19 yrs) it im sure would requiring tooling up way more than just screwdrivers and a few small gs tools I have, plus I'd need metalworking skills.
I've not doubt I can do it and probably even master it. But that really would come from being a study under someone and soaking up their knowledge plus some.
And no I was definately never under the impression these were plug and play. Today's machinery and specs are so dead on that modern weapons are for the most part plug and play. These have pretty tight tolerances, very unique actions and remind me of my military aviation days, the perfection yet uniqueness of ever one.
Who knows perhaps if I find cheap parts over time I can send them to a master, save some history and come out very close to an equivalent original. Or perhaps one day I'll find a local sage and a beater parts set to begin learning.
Thanks for all responses. For now guess I'll be trying to expand my contacts and keep my eyes open for the right one for me and when.

SIGP2101 · 02-26-2015, 10:16 AM

I would say, go for it. If it is adventure and not investment, by all means do it and enjoy all of the way.

ithacaartist · 02-26-2015, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIGP2101

I would say, go for it. If it is adventure and not investment, by all means do it and enjoy all of the way.

...and a Labor of Love!

02-25-2015, 12:14 PM	#1
Scorpius User Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 31 Thanks: 7 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Frankenstein Luger Curious....Been reading the thread on strawing, putting back original finish, etc. What would it take to piece together a luger (besides finding all the parts people may have) and putting together a shooter? Do you have to find parts within a tolerance to match up in order for it to be a decent shooter? If so which parts specifically. (has anyone ever done this?) Also I noticed a lugerman site where it looks like for under a grand you can get either a Frankenstein or a matching/mismatched shooter returned to what looks like pristine condition. Does that increase the value of your 'shooter' to where it would normally have been if found in the same condition? Does he mark so that people can't pass off as unrefinished or does that matter when it's done so well? I know lots of questions, but new to luger collecting. Lots of info to absorb.

02-25-2015, 02:10 PM	#4
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 1,283 Thanked 3,583 Times in 989 Posts	shooters.... Hi Scorpius, The advice given above is both sage and wise! And is, without a doubt, the smart way to go.. But, having said that, there is a small group here on the forum that just can't, and most times won't, leave a mismatched or common luger alone.. I happen to be one of those guys.. ... But, building one from scratch out of loose parts successfully, most times comes at the extreme experience end of the learning curve, not so much in the beginning. The AR experience has left us with a whole generation of young gun enthusiasts that can and will build their own, and have considerable success doing so. Well, the Luger is not in that build group for instant success... I would still recommend that you try to build, whether you succeed or fail? As the knowledge gained will far offset the cost of a few old Luger parts... In other words, you'll get real smart, real fast in this game...... Best to you, til...lat'r....GT ... BTW, I sell parts, as well as Luger Doc, and Eugene, (Lugerman) ... good luck!

02-25-2015, 05:34 PM	#5
Diver6106 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mt. Vernon VA Posts: 244 Thanks: 1,420 Thanked 117 Times in 75 Posts	My second Luger #2787 was a very nice DWM 1915 all matching, but no toggle, grips or mag - $525. I had a 22LR kit for it and it is a complete toggle and barrel liner - $400 - so just needed some grips. It shoots fine. But then I noticed a complete DWM 9MM toggle set up for sale and so bought it for a dual caliber use - $149. It needed the rear pin. So I bought the toggle and a 0.05 pin, but I had to use an emery cloth & clean the rear pin to match the toggle in clearance. It shoots 9mm fine. So ever since Eli Whitney and his 1801 interchangeable gun parts, this concept has worked. And I really wanted a WWI for shooting, at $675 + grips here with membership, it is GREAT!!! Attached Thumbnails

02-26-2015, 05:55 AM	#6
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Scott Lugers are not GLOCKs, and in my opinion unless you're an old well seasoned armourer I wouldn't advice to even start putting a Luger together, at the time all parts were factory fitted together by experienced workers. For your own experience get a mismatched shooter and use it for learning. FWIW Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

02-26-2015, 09:08 AM	#9
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	I end up getting a lot of these Franken lugers, that the builder can't get to function properly. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-25-2015, 12:20 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Yes, making it feed and fire reliably might be an issue, as all parts were factory fitted together. To build a Luger from parts is a lot like assembling a car from parts. It will be much cheaper to find an complete, mismatched shooter than to piece one together.

02-25-2015, 12:36 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Regarding the value of a restored mismatched Luger, I'd not consider that to be a wise investment. Some rare or otherwise special guns benefit from restoration services, but generally it is a losing proposition. Probably better to buy what you want the first time, as good stuff doesn't lose value. dju

02-26-2015, 07:10 AM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Have you ever seen those ads in Car Trader magazines that state something like: "$80,000 invested, asking $30,000" Well, there you have it............................

02-26-2015, 09:11 AM	#10
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Tom, are all DWM and Erfurt parts interchangeable?

02-26-2015, 09:20 AM	#11
Diver6106 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mt. Vernon VA Posts: 244 Thanks: 1,420 Thanked 117 Times in 75 Posts	Do we have some gun dealers or armors denigrating DIY...? Put your Sabots back on boys. I imagine Eli Whitney wasn't very popular with custom gun makers either.

02-26-2015, 09:39 AM	#12
Scorpius User Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 31 Thanks: 7 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	I definately see both sides. One one hand if you buy pieces that need little to know work, based on the parts I've seen. You could easily buy a nice s/42 maybe even a g or k model that's in very good condition at a minimum. On the other I am very detail oriented, naturally mechanically inclined, but I would basically need to truly Frankenstein it by getting parts cheaply which means very pitted at the least needing some sort of metal addition and rework. While gun smithing definately interests me, (something im thinking would be awesome to do when I retire in 10-19 yrs) it im sure would requiring tooling up way more than just screwdrivers and a few small gs tools I have, plus I'd need metalworking skills. I've not doubt I can do it and probably even master it. But that really would come from being a study under someone and soaking up their knowledge plus some. And no I was definately never under the impression these were plug and play. Today's machinery and specs are so dead on that modern weapons are for the most part plug and play. These have pretty tight tolerances, very unique actions and remind me of my military aviation days, the perfection yet uniqueness of ever one. Who knows perhaps if I find cheap parts over time I can send them to a master, save some history and come out very close to an equivalent original. Or perhaps one day I'll find a local sage and a beater parts set to begin learning. Thanks for all responses. For now guess I'll be trying to expand my contacts and keep my eyes open for the right one for me and when.

02-26-2015, 10:16 AM	#13
SIGP2101 User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 256 Thanks: 74 Thanked 67 Times in 32 Posts	I would say, go for it. If it is adventure and not investment, by all means do it and enjoy all of the way.