care of original Luger wooden grips

daveshelby · 07-06-2018, 08:45 PM

I am fortunate to have two Lugers over 100 years old with the original wooden grips. After reading about issues with shrinkage, etc., I am wondering what I should be doing to help preserve these grips and delay to the extent possible drying and shrinkage.

New to the forum, thanks in advance.

DonVoigt · 07-06-2018, 09:42 PM

Store them at 70 degrees F and 50% humidity.

The wood for the grips was "cured" before use, and was dimensionally stable. Most all the grips I have are still just fine, and not shrunk.

What some see as "shrunken" grips may be replacements that don't fit the frame fully.
Grease or oil soaked grips may have other problems.

I'd treat the wood like I would any other piece of wood that I was gong to use; everyone has a "secret recipe" or method they think is good or best. There have been a number of threads on this subject. maybe you can do a search and find them?

If you are collecting not shooting, see my first comment.

Welcome to the forum.

07-06-2018, 08:45 PM	#1
daveshelby New User Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	care of original Luger wooden grips I am fortunate to have two Lugers over 100 years old with the original wooden grips. After reading about issues with shrinkage, etc., I am wondering what I should be doing to help preserve these grips and delay to the extent possible drying and shrinkage. New to the forum, thanks in advance.

07-06-2018, 09:42 PM	#2
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Store them at 70 degrees F and 50% humidity. The wood for the grips was "cured" before use, and was dimensionally stable. Most all the grips I have are still just fine, and not shrunk. What some see as "shrunken" grips may be replacements that don't fit the frame fully. Grease or oil soaked grips may have other problems. I'd treat the wood like I would any other piece of wood that I was gong to use; everyone has a "secret recipe" or method they think is good or best. There have been a number of threads on this subject. maybe you can do a search and find them? If you are collecting not shooting, see my first comment. Welcome to the forum. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie