Strawing

jeffs · 12-17-2008, 08:50 AM

Dear Experts

What was the reason for strawing the small parts on pre-1937 Lugers? Was it merely aesthetic, or is there another reason?

Thanks!

Jeff

Lugerdoc · 12-17-2008, 11:33 AM

Jeff, The lugers made in early 1937 will be rust blued with strawed small parts, like all previously made lugers, before the switch by Mauser to all hot dip blued parts in mid-1937. The 1937 Rust blued lugers are only about half as common as the Salt blued ones. TH

jeffs · 12-18-2008, 04:53 PM

Is there some physical reason why the pre 1937 lugers had strawed parts, rather than being completely blued? In other words, is strawing somehow 'healthier' for small parts than blueing?

Thanks,
Jeff

Edward Tinker · 12-18-2008, 05:04 PM

This is just a WAG, but I would imagine it was much cheaper to blue than straw.

Years ago they strawed or case hardened, and I think it carried over for the trigger, etc and then at some point in 1937, someone said, just blue it all....

Ed

MFC · 12-19-2008, 02:42 AM

Jeff,
Strawing was done for aesthectics. It does not hold up as well as blued parts. Mauser switched from strawed parts and rust blueing to all dip blued parts to cut down on production time and cost.

12-17-2008, 08:50 AM	#1
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Strawing Dear Experts What was the reason for strawing the small parts on pre-1937 Lugers? Was it merely aesthetic, or is there another reason? Thanks! Jeff

12-17-2008, 11:33 AM	#2
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Jeff, The lugers made in early 1937 will be rust blued with strawed small parts, like all previously made lugers, before the switch by Mauser to all hot dip blued parts in mid-1937. The 1937 Rust blued lugers are only about half as common as the Salt blued ones. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 [email protected]

12-18-2008, 05:04 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	This is just a WAG, but I would imagine it was much cheaper to blue than straw. Years ago they strawed or case hardened, and I think it carried over for the trigger, etc and then at some point in 1937, someone said, just blue it all.... Ed __________________ 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

12-19-2008, 02:42 AM	#5
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Jeff, Strawing was done for aesthectics. It does not hold up as well as blued parts. Mauser switched from strawed parts and rust blueing to all dip blued parts to cut down on production time and cost. __________________ Mike C. Last edited by MFC; 12-19-2008 at 03:11 AM.

12-18-2008, 04:53 PM	#3
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is there some physical reason why the pre 1937 lugers had strawed parts, rather than being completely blued? In other words, is strawing somehow 'healthier' for small parts than blueing? Thanks, Jeff