C96 restoration by Lugerman - FINALLY

[berkmberk1]

After two years and two months, and some arm twisting, I finally got my Mauser back from Lugerman. It was a complete rebuild, as seen by the attached pictures. While it is a fantastic job, I'll never do it again. The next Broomhandle, if ever, will be purchased in excellent condition as it is! The whole process was more upsetting than it was worth.

While I was waiting for Eugene to finish, I spent my time acquiring the accessories for my grouping - original stock and harness from a guy here in the US, an original dealers display case from England, an original owner's manual from Germany, and an original cleaning rod from Russia.

The only two deficiencies I've found so far are the strap to secure the cleaning rod is too short. It appears that sometime in the last 100 years or so, part of it must have broken off or otherwise shortened. it will not go over the handle. Either that or the rod is too long. Did they come in different lengths. The other minor issue is the stock fitting needs to be fitted to the pistol. It goes in about 3/4 of the way, but not completely.

[DavidJayUden]

Yes, Eugene can try a man's patience. But for what it's worth, the end product looks very nice!
dju

[lugerholsterrepair]

Michael..from the one pic I can see of your cleaning rod..it appears to be way too long if it is inserted into the holster all the way. The wooden handle should only stick above the holder loop a short ways.

[berkmberk1]

Yeah, I know. I just got the gun today, and pulled all my things out. The rod is original but one thing I just thought about is whether or not the rod has been pulled out of the handle somehow! It's only about an inch or so too long. I think I'll check that tomorrow.

[rhuff]

It looks to be a nice finished product, but I am too old to embark on any 2-3 year restoration projects......also don't have the patience that I once had.

[alvin]

I bet this one was imported from China in 1980s. Regular usage can never use a Mauser to this shape, but an ocean of 1980 import C96s were like this. Very typical. While I asked them, "how did you use a pistol to this shape"... they also wondered "how did you keep a pistol to that shape"...

Another Chinese historical piece destroyed

[cirelaw]

If you have the time Eugene has the restoration magic!! The Sistene chappel took years!

[Edward Tinker]

could it be what you said, the handle a bit pulled out and perhaps the leather has shrunk?

I expect the leather to shrink, but not too much?

Looks NICE~


ed

[berkmberk1]

Originally Posted by cirelaw

If you have the time Eugene has the restoration magic!! The Sistene chappel took years!

I have to say his work is good, but his customer service stinks. I was told last year that it was coming along well. He sent pics showing all the metal having been stripped. Then nothing. No response to any inquiries. Early this year, he told me it was almost done. Then nothing again. I sent him a message saying I was going to take action if things didn't change. He said he'd get right on it. The way he put it, I got the impression he really wasn't much past the metal stripping stage. Again, nothing. I complained to the PA BBB, and got a pretty fast response telling me he was getting right on it and it should be done in a few weeks... about a month and a half later he said all it needed was to finish some engraving I wanted done and it would ship on the following Monday. The Monday after THAT he actually sent it out.

He is an artist. I'm glad I have a piece he did. The only thing he needs is a system set up where he gives minor, periodic updates on long term jobs....a quick email "got such and such done"..."project completion in x weeks/months." He needs to provide receipts for the weapons/down payments in case someone dies. It would be a shame for a family to lose an heirloom just because he had a hear attack and no one had proof they had sent him anything.

Considering what I went thru, and the cost, the next Mauser I buy will be in the condition I want already.

[ithacaartist]

To have a business restoring or working on other people's pistols, he needs an FFL. Unless he's screwing up, I believe every pistol he has is in the log book he's required to keep, and should not disappear if he checks out. A receipt is a good idea, nonetheless.

[berkmberk1]

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

To have a business restoring or working on other people's pistols, he needs an FFL. Unless he's screwing up, I believe every pistol he has is in the log book he's required to keep, and should not disappear if he checks out. A receipt is a good idea, nonetheless.

I suppose. Who knows? But its disconcerting when he drops off the face of the earth for months at a time.

Its over and I'm reunited with my baby. Thats what counts..

[DonVoigt]

"It" happens time and time again; craftsmen are not necessarily business men; but lack of communication today is not excusable. Neither are 2 year lead times, JMHO.

[George Anderson]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

could it be what you said, the handle a bit pulled out and perhaps the leather has shrunk?

I expect the leather to shrink, but not too much?

Looks NICE~


ed

Given the origin of the rod, I would question its originality.

[DonVoigt]

If you will measure and post the over all length of your cleaning rod, I'm sure someone will check it vs. an original.

[alvin]

Originally Posted by berkmberk1

The next Broomhandle, if ever, will be purchased in excellent condition as it is!

If need a nice original conehammer or bolo, I can supply. I have sold quite a few of nice ones and rare ones in 2nd half of 2016, all buyers were dedicated collectors in the domain. They did not just want a few C96s, they were very picky, only wanted the best ones and rarest ones, so those went to them. But what left was also great ones. I counted again today, ideally, still need to sell a few more. No guarantee to be cheapest price on the market, but guaranteed being correct as described. Not in hurry, any time is good time.

On the other end, if need raw material for another project, I can supply too.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by berkmberk1

But its disconcerting when he drops off the face of the earth for months at a time.

I believe Eugene stated in Ed's original carbine thread that he Winters in Florida. I'm not sure how long his Winters are - Ours here are six months long.