Cleaning but not restoration

pacman · 10-20-2007, 04:52 PM

This question has probably been asked over 1000 times on this forum. I guess I'll make it one more. I recently inherited a 1914 Erfurt 100 mm Luger. My uncle "acquired it" from a German Officer during service in WW II. It is in very good shape, 90% bluing, 50% strawing, all matching numbers except for the magazine.

I've field stripped it and it is relatively clean, but it is dry as a bone. I intend to clean and lubricate as I would any modern handgun. As I learn more I would like to disassemble it and competely clean it as I do my 1911's.

I would also like to shoot it (not alot) even though I recognize there is a certain risk in diminishing the value if something breaks. In order to maintain the value and for sentimental reasons I do NOT want to restore it. Are there do's and don'ts in what to clean and what not to clean in a collectible gun like this? Obviously I want to ensure that it is always properly oiled and protected against rust.

Thank you for your replies.

MFC · 10-21-2007, 12:30 AM

pacman,
It's ok to clean every part of your luger, even the grips.
This will help. Be sure to veiw (Reassemly after feild strip) also.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD9hq...elated&search=
Mike C.

PS. Be VERY careful when removing the left grip or you'll end up with a chip broken off under the safety lever that you see on so many.

pacman · 10-21-2007, 03:26 PM

Very interesting information regarding the grips. Any tips on removing them to avoid breakage? I was worried that cleaning them would be considered restoration and reduce the guns value. As for the videos, Shadowdog deserves an academy award. I watched several of them multiple times and they are very helpful.

Thank you very much for your reply.

MFC · 10-22-2007, 12:20 AM

If you had them recheckerd, it would be considerd a restoration, but not cleaning them. Removing dirt, grime and oil from the gips, would be like removing rust from the metal parts. Nothing wrong with that.
To remove the left grip, stick your finger in the mag. well and lift the bottom just enough to clear the frame. Then turn the bottom to the left so that it spins around the mag. release button. The top right edge will slide out from under the thumb safety. Don't lift the bottom up until it is completely out. Sometimes you have to wiggle it a little, but no force is neccasary.
To clean grips I use (Simple Green), a cleaner and degreaser, in a spray bottle. Spray it on the grips and gently scrub them with a soft tooth brush.
Rinse with warm water. Towel dry and let them dry for at least 24 hrs. Put a thin coat of (Boiled) Linseed Oil on them and again towel dry and let them stand over night. If they were really dirty, you'll be amazed at how good they look after.
Have fun.
Mike C.

saxman · 12-01-2007, 07:44 AM

Please! No water or detergent on grips! Use naptha (lighter fluid) and a toothbrush. Mix linseed oil and turpentine 1:1 and work into the grips after cleaning.

thegundude · 12-01-2007, 09:14 AM

For the small amount of money that he charges, I'd send the grips off to Hugh to have professionally done...

paradox998 · 12-02-2007, 10:31 PM

Definitely send them to Hugh. You will be pleased.

The Virginian · 11-28-2008, 01:26 PM

I would also clean the gun with a mixture of Ed's Red, do a google search for the recipe. I would clean the bore with a good bore solvent and lightly oil. Straight Automatic Transmission Fluid is a great lubricant for guns in general and works great on Lugers.

10-20-2007, 04:52 PM	#1
pacman User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cleaning but not restoration This question has probably been asked over 1000 times on this forum. I guess I'll make it one more. I recently inherited a 1914 Erfurt 100 mm Luger. My uncle "acquired it" from a German Officer during service in WW II. It is in very good shape, 90% bluing, 50% strawing, all matching numbers except for the magazine. I've field stripped it and it is relatively clean, but it is dry as a bone. I intend to clean and lubricate as I would any modern handgun. As I learn more I would like to disassemble it and competely clean it as I do my 1911's. I would also like to shoot it (not alot) even though I recognize there is a certain risk in diminishing the value if something breaks. In order to maintain the value and for sentimental reasons I do NOT want to restore it. Are there do's and don'ts in what to clean and what not to clean in a collectible gun like this? Obviously I want to ensure that it is always properly oiled and protected against rust. Thank you for your replies.

10-21-2007, 12:30 AM	#2
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	pacman, It's ok to clean every part of your luger, even the grips. This will help. Be sure to veiw (Reassemly after feild strip) also. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD9hq...elated&search= Mike C. PS. Be VERY careful when removing the left grip or you'll end up with a chip broken off under the safety lever that you see on so many. __________________ Mike C.

10-22-2007, 12:20 AM	#4
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	If you had them recheckerd, it would be considerd a restoration, but not cleaning them. Removing dirt, grime and oil from the gips, would be like removing rust from the metal parts. Nothing wrong with that. To remove the left grip, stick your finger in the mag. well and lift the bottom just enough to clear the frame. Then turn the bottom to the left so that it spins around the mag. release button. The top right edge will slide out from under the thumb safety. Don't lift the bottom up until it is completely out. Sometimes you have to wiggle it a little, but no force is neccasary. To clean grips I use (Simple Green), a cleaner and degreaser, in a spray bottle. Spray it on the grips and gently scrub them with a soft tooth brush. Rinse with warm water. Towel dry and let them dry for at least 24 hrs. Put a thin coat of (Boiled) Linseed Oil on them and again towel dry and let them stand over night. If they were really dirty, you'll be amazed at how good they look after. Have fun. Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

12-01-2007, 07:44 AM	#5
saxman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 301 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Please! No water or detergent on grips! Use naptha (lighter fluid) and a toothbrush. Mix linseed oil and turpentine 1:1 and work into the grips after cleaning. __________________ You can lead 'em to the water, but you can't make 'em drink.

12-01-2007, 09:14 AM	#6
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	For the small amount of money that he charges, I'd send the grips off to Hugh to have professionally done... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

10-21-2007, 03:26 PM	#3
pacman User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Very interesting information regarding the grips. Any tips on removing them to avoid breakage? I was worried that cleaning them would be considered restoration and reduce the guns value. As for the videos, Shadowdog deserves an academy award. I watched several of them multiple times and they are very helpful. Thank you very much for your reply.

12-02-2007, 10:31 PM	#7
paradox998 User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Definitely send them to Hugh. You will be pleased.

11-28-2008, 01:26 PM	#8
The Virginian User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Potomac Falls, Virginia USA Posts: 107 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I would also clean the gun with a mixture of Ed's Red, do a google search for the recipe. I would clean the bore with a good bore solvent and lightly oil. Straight Automatic Transmission Fluid is a great lubricant for guns in general and works great on Lugers. __________________ All my C&R guns are shooters