Is it possible to shrink Luger wood grips?

Mike Z · 12-02-2014, 04:30 PM

Is it possible to shrink Luger wood grips?
I cleaned a set of grips with Murphys oil soap and rinsed with water. Let them dry for a week and put a coat of boiled linseed oil on them. They turned out good but now hang way over the front grip strap and I can hardly get them on.
Any tips to shrinking them would be much appreciated?
Thanks,
Mike Z.

Edward Tinker · 12-02-2014, 04:38 PM

Mike, I have never noticed them getting slightly larger by using Murphys and water - in fact what you do is what i do...

MikeP · 12-03-2014, 02:30 AM

There are good reasons some of us don't fool around with original artifacts.

alanint · 12-03-2014, 06:59 AM

Are they original grips? I've never seen an original pair swell after soaking them, but have experienced this with inexpensive woods, which soaked up moisture.

Try gently heating them to see if they dry out thoroughly. Heat will shrink wood to a degree.

Jim Solomon · 12-03-2014, 07:56 AM

If you heated the grips while in the Murphys soap, it may have resulted in more absorption of the soap emulsion resulting in less "evaporation" after removal. You might try heating the grips in clear water, this will remove any soap still in the wood and allow for the grips to dry, and hopefully return to their original size. Just a thought, and would be my next move.

Jim

Mike Z · 12-03-2014, 08:31 AM

They are the originals at least #ed and proofed.
Thanks Guys

Sergio Natali · 12-03-2014, 09:50 AM

I messed about with a pair of original grips several years ago, but they belonged to a crummy P.08 shooter that I was using to "experiment" on it.
I would think twice before doing the same thing on a good pair of original grips.

IMHO

Sergio

Mike Z · 12-03-2014, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luger.parabellum

I messed about with a pair of original grips several years ago, but they belonged to a crummy P.08 shooter that I was using to "experiment" on it.
I would think twice before doing the same thing on a good pair of original grips.

IMHO

Sergio

I agree

SIGP2101 · 12-03-2014, 12:35 PM

Berry them in silica desiccant for couple of weeks. This should slowly remove excess moisture without damaging wood. Or you can try quick method using microwave in defrost mode.

G.T. · 12-03-2014, 11:44 PM

best thing to do is nothing.. they will return to their original moisture state within a few days.. watch your humidity forecast... and set out on dry days, seal in Tupperware on wet ones.. you'll be surprised at how fast they change... best to all, til...lat'r...GT

lugerholsterrepair · 12-04-2014, 12:08 AM

If your grips swell for more than 4 hours..seek help!

tharpo · 12-04-2014, 01:25 AM

Funny one Jerry!

ithacaartist · 12-04-2014, 02:34 AM

G.T. has hit this one right on the button. Moisture of any sort will interfere with the dimensions of most woods, to whatever degree. The coat of boiled linseed oil seals out moisture, but if the wood is not totally dry when the finish is applied, then the oil tends to seal the moisture in! Along with a little patience, a warm, dry place will do the job, although the finish will impede the process slightly.

Mike Z · 12-04-2014, 07:50 PM

I had good results. I heated them as suggested in the oven at 200 keeping a close eye on them.
I let them sit all day while at work and now they fit good, Go on easy and they have a little overhang the front grip straps but that's the same as before.
Thanks to all that had replied much appreciated.
Mike Z.

Sergio Natali · 12-05-2014, 05:52 AM

Mike

I'm really glad for you that you managed to fit them back.
I think it has been a lesson for the future.

Sergio

G.T. · 12-28-2014, 10:06 AM

Hi Rich, take the grips off the frame, put in a Tupperware bowl with lid, also place a small cup/shot glass of water in the center of the bowl, careful not to spill ....

.. you don't want water and grips to touch!! seal the bowl with all inside, and check twice a day. If the grips are still undersized, put back in bowl, replace the lid, and wait a day or two longer?... Sooner or later the artificial environment will hydrate the wood to a higher that normal level, but once in the air, they will assume whatever winter, or summer, humidity that is normal...

.. good luck, til...lat'r......GT

ArtB · 01-09-2015, 10:36 PM

Long time since I look at this here forum. Still same subjects. Years ago I published here a fool proof grip cleaning method that I have used about 30 years. It was here in the forum archives for years---may still be---I don't know how to find it. It even contained pictures. Bottom line----the only place water is good on wood is old ship wrecks!! Use paste paint and varnish remover. Let girps soak in a plastic container over night (ususaly is long enough). Clean off varnish remover with tooth brush and then paper towels soaked with acetone. Maybe tooth brush again and final liberal application of acetone. Some times the grips swell a bit. Couple days later they look sooo good and fit same as before. Leave the soap to Mrs Murphy!!!

Quiet1 · 03-23-2015, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtB

Long time since I look at this here forum. Still same subjects. Years ago I published here a fool proof grip cleaning method that I have used about 30 years. It was here in the forum archives for years---may still be---I don't know how to find it. It even contained pictures. . . . . . . . . .

Here's the link. It is an excellent, well written resource that I have bookmarked.

Thank you, Art, for the time and effort you invested in sharing your method.

Link> http://www.lugerforum.com/gripclean.html

mrerick · 03-23-2015, 09:12 AM

Another approach for drying grips. Wrap them in a couple of layers of paper towels, and then put that into a black plastic bag. Put the bag on the dashboard of a car.

The heat and sunlight will help "sweat" moisture and oils out of the grips.

12-02-2014, 04:30 PM	#1
Mike Z User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 180 Thanks: 51 Thanked 79 Times in 39 Posts	Is it possible to shrink Luger wood grips? Is it possible to shrink Luger wood grips? I cleaned a set of grips with Murphys oil soap and rinsed with water. Let them dry for a week and put a coat of boiled linseed oil on them. They turned out good but now hang way over the front grip strap and I can hardly get them on. Any tips to shrinking them would be much appreciated? Thanks, Mike Z.

12-02-2014, 04:38 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,911 Thanks: 1,987 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Mike, I have never noticed them getting slightly larger by using Murphys and water - in fact what you do is what i do... __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

12-03-2014, 07:56 AM	#5
Jim Solomon Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 193 Thanks: 695 Thanked 173 Times in 66 Posts	If you heated the grips while in the Murphys soap, it may have resulted in more absorption of the soap emulsion resulting in less "evaporation" after removal. You might try heating the grips in clear water, this will remove any soap still in the wood and allow for the grips to dry, and hopefully return to their original size. Just a thought, and would be my next move. Jim __________________ Jim Solomon dent2@frontiernet.net

12-03-2014, 09:50 AM	#7
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	I messed about with a pair of original grips several years ago, but they belonged to a crummy P.08 shooter that I was using to "experiment" on it. I would think twice before doing the same thing on a good pair of original grips. IMHO Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

12-03-2014, 12:35 PM	#9
SIGP2101 User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 256 Thanks: 74 Thanked 67 Times in 32 Posts	Berry them in silica desiccant for couple of weeks. This should slowly remove excess moisture without damaging wood. Or you can try quick method using microwave in defrost mode. Last edited by SIGP2101; 12-04-2014 at 11:09 AM.

12-03-2014, 02:30 AM	#3
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	There are good reasons some of us don't fool around with original artifacts.

12-03-2014, 06:59 AM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Are they original grips? I've never seen an original pair swell after soaking them, but have experienced this with inexpensive woods, which soaked up moisture. Try gently heating them to see if they dry out thoroughly. Heat will shrink wood to a degree.

12-03-2014, 08:31 AM	#6
Mike Z User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 180 Thanks: 51 Thanked 79 Times in 39 Posts	They are the originals at least #ed and proofed. Thanks Guys

12-03-2014, 11:44 PM	#10
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	wet wood... best thing to do is nothing.. they will return to their original moisture state within a few days.. watch your humidity forecast... and set out on dry days, seal in Tupperware on wet ones.. you'll be surprised at how fast they change... best to all, til...lat'r...GT

12-04-2014, 12:08 AM	#11
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,852 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	If your grips swell for more than 4 hours..seek help! __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

12-04-2014, 01:25 AM	#12
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 536 Thanks: 116 Thanked 375 Times in 153 Posts	Funny one Jerry!

12-04-2014, 02:34 AM	#13
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,284 Thanks: 7,013 Thanked 2,478 Times in 1,320 Posts	G.T. has hit this one right on the button. Moisture of any sort will interfere with the dimensions of most woods, to whatever degree. The coat of boiled linseed oil seals out moisture, but if the wood is not totally dry when the finish is applied, then the oil tends to seal the moisture in! Along with a little patience, a warm, dry place will do the job, although the finish will impede the process slightly. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

12-04-2014, 07:50 PM	#14
Mike Z User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 180 Thanks: 51 Thanked 79 Times in 39 Posts	I had good results. I heated them as suggested in the oven at 200 keeping a close eye on them. I let them sit all day while at work and now they fit good, Go on easy and they have a little overhang the front grip straps but that's the same as before. Thanks to all that had replied much appreciated. Mike Z.

12-05-2014, 05:52 AM	#15
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	Mike I'm really glad for you that you managed to fit them back. I think it has been a lesson for the future. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

12-28-2014, 10:06 AM	#16
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	put in a closed environment Hi Rich, take the grips off the frame, put in a Tupperware bowl with lid, also place a small cup/shot glass of water in the center of the bowl, careful not to spill ...... you don't want water and grips to touch!! seal the bowl with all inside, and check twice a day. If the grips are still undersized, put back in bowl, replace the lid, and wait a day or two longer?... Sooner or later the artificial environment will hydrate the wood to a higher that normal level, but once in the air, they will assume whatever winter, or summer, humidity that is normal... .. good luck, til...lat'r......GT

01-09-2015, 10:36 PM	#17
ArtB User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Long time since I look at this here forum. Still same subjects. Years ago I published here a fool proof grip cleaning method that I have used about 30 years. It was here in the forum archives for years---may still be---I don't know how to find it. It even contained pictures. Bottom line----the only place water is good on wood is old ship wrecks!! Use paste paint and varnish remover. Let girps soak in a plastic container over night (ususaly is long enough). Clean off varnish remover with tooth brush and then paper towels soaked with acetone. Maybe tooth brush again and final liberal application of acetone. Some times the grips swell a bit. Couple days later they look sooo good and fit same as before. Leave the soap to Mrs Murphy!!!

03-23-2015, 09:12 AM	#19
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Another approach for drying grips. Wrap them in a couple of layers of paper towels, and then put that into a black plastic bag. Put the bag on the dashboard of a car. The heat and sunlight will help "sweat" moisture and oils out of the grips. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.