My 7.65 Parabellum, +

[AndyUSMC1107]

Work continues on my Luger:
Starting w/a Mauser American Eagle Naval length barrel that I was able to get about new (but no box) for what I thought was a reasonable price, I began pondering future cosmetic modifications:
• the grips;
Came w/black plastic...
Frame was of the odd (ugly) straight fore-strap
(doesn’t look like a classic Luger).

Decided on Walnut checkered aftermarket set w/ the proper Luger profile. Being a “shade-tree” machinist, I took a piece of O-1 tool steel and made an inside grip pinned spacer to fill out the grip frame contour. Polished and blued to match the overall blue of the piece.

I’ve always been enamored with the Cartridge Counter Lugers...so why not?

Found a Cartridge Counter magazine, but i’d Have to sell my truck to get it. I tried milling magazine slot and making my own. Nope, too hard!. So giving up that idea I made a faux CC on an aftermarket CC set of grips. The hardest part was finding a (not user-friendly) MS Word font to approximate the # style. I fitted an aged paper # strip under a thin piece of thin clear polycarbonate and that part was done.

I made the shoulder rig (I’m a “SouthPaw). Note the spare magazine/M-1 Carbine Oiler and on the back the cartridge strip (12) and Luger tool.

When I fire up my Nitre-Blue tank I’ll blue the polished grip screws

I’m finishing up polishing the screws, pins, top latch on a “dog” w/v. nice bore Fred Biffar ( Iver Johnson “Secret a Service Special 3 1/4” 38 S&W 5-beaner.” Frame cylinder and barrel have already taken a bath in Brownell’s Nickel Strip, taken a “rubba-dub-dug on a Scotch-Brite convoluted wheel to clean up any residual Nickel and discoloration and glass beaded to an attractive “frosted finish. Hammer, sides of trigger and finger guard (that had no remaining case hardened colors) have been polished and patented hammer block safety have been demascened (engine turned w/“ “swirlies”) they’ll all be Nitre-Blued.

Last pic shows the condition of my 2nd SSS (1st has patent date on the safety, #2 says PATENT PENDING( when I got it.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Wow!

 

[Jim Watson]

I looked at a Mauser Parabellum of that vintage.
9mm, German frontstrap, 6".
The grip was uncomfortable, slab sided instead of contoured, and the grip safety took a lot of squeeze vs a 1911. If it came back around, I would likely buy it and do a grip safety delete with period correct grips.

 

[bannockburn]

Andy

Some mighty fine "cosmetic modifications" to your Mauser American Eagle Luger! Love the cartridge counter grip and the bluing looks to be first rate! The leather rig you made is also great, adding to the whole customized feeling you get when you see all the separate pieces put together!

 

[czhen]

Beautiful pistol set, I do prefer .30 lugers unless the 9mm is unmolested.
I do beg you to keep the pistol far from the holster if you are not planning to reblue it.
Look like a Swiss model (.30cal) I need to check the books, but grip safety was an order for Swiss Army .

 

[AndyUSMC1107]

Beautiful pistol set, I do prefer .30 lugers unless the 9mm is unmolested.
I do beg you to keep the pistol far from the holster if you are not planning to reblue it.
Look like a Swiss model (.30cal) I need to check the books, but grip safety was an order for Swiss Army .

Yup! A Swiss Model Interarms-imported .7.65 Luger w/the “unsightly” straight grip frame. Less desirable than “swell” front frame strap,” which accounts for my being able to afford a Luger in this condition. In the holster only for the pic, and the occasional trip to a Gun Show, tho I intentionally made it slightly oversized and even more room in the lower (barrel) part. Holster is fully lined w/the lightest weight smooth lamb skin. The outer “skin’ is 8 oz. vegetable tanned belly. A liberal application of Neetsfoot Oil to the lamb skin lining keeps moisture at bay.

By the way, very early Lugers had the grip safety...if memory serves.

 

[Jim Watson]

Yes, grip safeties were standard until the Heer adopted the P08.
I am sure there are exceptions both ways, but that is the large majority.

 

[AndyUSMC1107]

Yes, grip safeties were standard until the Heer adopted the P08.
I am sure there are exceptions both ways, but that is the large majority.

Jim, Thanx for the validation.