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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3 |
Several years ago, I traded for this John Dewey Luger. Mr. Dewey was a gunsmith back in the '60's. His son (and grandson) own and operate J. Dewey Manufacturing, Southbury, CT, makers of gun cleaning equipment, a name familiar to most gun nuts. Mr. Dewey was a perfectionist and it shows in his work. I talked to his grandson at the J. Dewey company and was told the old man didn't keep very good records. The grandson was really interested in this gun and wanted it. If I ever decide to sell it, he will be the first one I call. The gun has a ported 10" bbl and shoots like a rifle. The trigger is surprisingly good for a Luger. Mr. Dewey skillfully mounted an adjustable Micro target sight on the toggle. The shoulder holster is a Bianchi and was actually made years ago for a long barreled Hi Standard target pistol. It just happens to fit this Luger very well. The target was shot at 20 yds. over a bag with Fed. 115 gr. HP factory ammo. DF
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,274
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,274 |
Neat rig. Skeeter Skelton wrote of folks who hunted small game with Lugers in the Depression. I've often thought it would be fun to have one of the 6" .30's - or even a Arty model
"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,500
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,500 |
I sold Mr. Martz a couple of Lugers and P-38's when I lived down there. Fascinating man.
LOVE God, LOVE your family, LOVE your country, LIKE guns and sports.
About 2016 team "R" candidates "We definitely need a crew with a sack of balls the size of hot water bottles, bloviated estrogen leaking feel-gooders need not apply." Gunner 500
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,500
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,500 |
I remember visiting him in his shop in, I think Grass Valley or nearby. He had copies of gun magazines all over his walls that had his custom Lugers featured on thier covers. He was happy to show off his wares such as the Baby Lugers you mentioned and other fascinating customs as well as highly collectable Lugers and P-38's.
I remember a quote of his from one of my visits to his shop. He was showing me an artillery model Luger with its long barrel, buttstock, ladder sight regulated to 1,000 meters and said "The reasons the Germans lost two world wars is because while they were making intricate complicated guns like these the Allies were cranking out 1911's and similar by the millions".
That idea has stuck with me all these years and to hear it from a certifiable Luger nut and expert among experts was quite a revelation.
LOVE God, LOVE your family, LOVE your country, LIKE guns and sports.
About 2016 team "R" candidates "We definitely need a crew with a sack of balls the size of hot water bottles, bloviated estrogen leaking feel-gooders need not apply." Gunner 500
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3 |
Kevin,
Thanks for those links. John Martz was quite a craftsman and there seems to be a good demand for his work, as reflected in the prices.
Mark,
Appreciate those comments. Nothing like a first hand account.
DF
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,920
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,920 |
Dirtfarmer...what a GREAT gun!!!! The installation of that rear sight makes it look like it came from the factory...thanks for sharing...
Bob
If you can not deal with reality, reality will deal with you....
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,667
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,667 |
Dirtfarmer,
The trick to keeping a Luger working well is the magazine spring. Because the Luger has such a fast action, when a magazine spring begins to take a set, sometimes it can set enough that it doesn�t advance the next round fast enough (top round is compressed in the magazine until the bolt opens up). If you ever encounter any persistent feed issues, try a new magazine spring.
Your Luger is VERY cool, he did a nice job. I�ll bet that one�s fun to shoot.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3 |
Kevin, Thanks for the tip. Yes, it's a hoot to shoot and accurate to boot... DF
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3 |
Neat rig. Skeeter Skelton wrote of folks who hunted small game with Lugers in the Depression. I've often thought it would be fun to have one of the 6" .30's - or even a Arty model I remember as a lad, listening to war stories from cousin who was a sniper in WWII, both in the European and Pacific theaters. He and an ole boy from Texas got their hands on an artillery model and entertained themselves with how far they could hit stuff. He seemed impressed with it. DF
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3 |
.7" at 20 yds is around 3.5 MOA by my calculations. My Les Baer long slide has a 1 1/2" guarantee at 50 yds, which is 3 MOA. This Luger may do even better than 3.5 MOA with handloads, I just never spent that much time with it.
Bottom line. It shoots almost as well as what may be the most accurate production pistol currently being produced. Not bad for a hundred year old gun with a 50 year old overhaul.
DF
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 18,881
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 18,881 |
I remember when those guns where first out, back in the 60's. They were and are the real deal in a truly fantastic Lugar. They inspired me to play with a couple of Lugars. I even thought hard about getting him to redo one for me. But, as a struggling student, I simply couldn't afford one. Eventually, I found a Browning HP with a decent trigger and had Micro Gunsight put an adjustable rear sight and taller front sight on it. That was all that gun needed. I regret selling my old HP. If I had your gun, I seriously doubt I'd ever sell it. E
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3 |
I have several that I probably won't sell. My son is an up and coming gun Loony and appreciates his inheritance. Here is another that is a keeper. Be sure you have some time before tackling this site... http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=124719DF
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