[Fushigi Ojisan]

This is a whole new experience for me.

I saw it advertised on the Gunboards trader and jumped quickly, never heard of this pistol before and most of the Google hits point me here.

For Mr. Still's Database:

SN 13143
Patent 625263-633251
Crown N proofmarks on the left side on breechblock/slide/frame (stacked)
Imperial German Acceptance mark on left frame (looks like Crown R)
Concentric circle safety.

This one has pretty much < 10% finish, rough but servicable bore, one grip is badly warped and the other is disintegrating. However, the fit is still quite tight and it feels fairly solid, so I doubt I need to swap out any springs.

So, how do I get this thing apart anyway?

I also was considering replacing the screws that have damaged slots and the grips with ones form Numrich/GPC, good idea? bad idea?

Also, will it function properly with less-powerful WWB ammo or will I need something stiffer for proper function?

Thanks for the help

 

[Fushigi Ojisan]

Well, I figured it out myself...

I removed the recoil spring first (looks new!) and once there was no spring pressure, I felt a lot more comfortable experimenting. Nobody ever mentioned that the slide was supposed to go forward once you lift off the stirrup.

Mechanically, this thing is GREAT! Lots of sharp edges with very little wear, though the oil that was inside has long since become solid crud. Still pondering how to attack it. there is just a very tiny bit of rust that can be taken care of easily.

On the other hand, the bore is pretty much trashed. Now that I have cleaned the grips, they are in rough shape too--left side is warpedand right side seems to be disintegrating. Oh yeah, and the finish is pretty much *gone*

If not for the sheer rarity, this thing would be off the The Gun Rack/Broom Closet for a reline and refinish. However, once I do that the collector value goes through the floor, so I will enjoy it as-is. Still going to see if Numrich/GPC can help with better screws for recoil spring retainer, stirrups, and grips.

 

[Fushigi Ojisan]

Well, was going to order some replacement screws and things from Numrich/GPC, but they didn't have much. I will order replacement grips from Vintagegungrips.com and hope they sell screws (the current ones are really buggered).

So far I have seen very little rust, just some old discoloration and dried oil, I am soaking a lot of stuff in Mpro7 and will preserve with Eezox once everything is clean.

If anyone has a lead on new screws that would be great, I really don't want to have Scott Stonehill make me brand new ones--that gets pricey quick.

 

[Fushigi Ojisan]

Thanks for the heads-up. They only have two options, one for the ejection port and one without. Mine is in the same SN range so I ordered L27 grips.

Yours is flat-out NICE! Mine has no finish and I was talked out of a restoration. I did send the screws off to get cleaned up and so a professional could take measurements for duplication.

I really havent heard about these pistols until I saw one for sale. Its an interesting design and so far mine is cleaning up nicely.

 

[Fushigi Ojisan]

D'oh!

Just tried the grips, and sure enough the left one doesn't clear the safety. I have email into vintagegungrips.com right now.

I sent the screws to someone who specializes in making restoration screws for various projeccts. Having new grip screws fabircated to replace the buggered originals, plus he took measurements for all the other screws in case people are interested in getting replacement screws.

While its really worn, it has very little rust and it cleaned up nicely.

 

[Fushigi Ojisan]

Sent off the one set of grips, the other set is on the way.

The guy making my screws emailed me, its worth posting here:

I have measured the recoil spring screw. I am beginning to wonder about the Langenhan at this point, as that screw also measures closer to an inch thread than a Metric one. I can't believe that any European maker would use inch pattern threads on anything, but that is begining to look like what was happening. Would love to find out the story on that. I know that the M-98 Mauser used British pattern threads 55deg. inch pitch for the barrel threads as well as the front and rear triggerguard screws. This was also carried over into the Swedish and all other Mauser makers. And I have also found some Finnish made Mosin Nagants that had some of the barrel bands with British inch threads on them. It is just quite interesting that this could have been a more common practice than I thought. Anyway, I can make them if you ever need any, and I will try to get it in the mail to you soon. Did you ever find out any more info on that other screw that was one you ordered from some parts house that looked so bad. If so I can make that and send it with this one too. Let me know.

So once he has the measurements done, he can supply replacement screws.

Slowly putting it back together.

 

[Fushigi Ojisan]

Okay, have the replacement grips, it took a little wriggling but they fit and look pretty good. I also have the fresh grip screws and they match the original threads and have the proper depth to not interfere with the magazine even when tightened down.

The only annoying thing is that the trigger bar does not like to sit flat, there is a small leaf spring and its not flush in the back so it pushes the bar outwards a little (the grip will keep it from sliding off).

Just waiting on the recoil spring retaining screw to come back and its ready to roll