Just say no to certain gun cleaning & inspections
Borchardt C93 semiautomatic pistol
I took in 8 pistols from a long term friend and fellow gun club member and range safety officer
He is going to have them listed on GB through his gal
He wants me to clean and lubricate and inspect and function test these handguns - and to do an evaluation / estimate sheet with a page of historical data
Maybe I have lost my edge or my ability had diminished
Even with the books and parts diagrams taking this gun completely apart was somewhat challenging and difficult
Somebody pack the gun in axle grease to preserve it - breakdown and dissasembley was not fun
I have parts washed each piece and put them in a vibrator with corn walnut shell media - than recleaned and detailed each part using a dental pick at times
All the parts are in place and appear intact - I have a feeling reassembling this gun will be time consuming and require a high skill level and much patience
I have never seen a pistol preserved in this fashion but I can find no rust and the finish appears intact
Any advice or sage words of wisdom before I start putting this puzzle together???
It's an interesting piece
Mike
I took in 8 pistols from a long term friend and fellow gun club member and range safety officer
He is going to have them listed on GB through his gal
He wants me to clean and lubricate and inspect and function test these handguns - and to do an evaluation / estimate sheet with a page of historical data
Maybe I have lost my edge or my ability had diminished
Even with the books and parts diagrams taking this gun completely apart was somewhat challenging and difficult
Somebody pack the gun in axle grease to preserve it - breakdown and dissasembley was not fun
I have parts washed each piece and put them in a vibrator with corn walnut shell media - than recleaned and detailed each part using a dental pick at times
All the parts are in place and appear intact - I have a feeling reassembling this gun will be time consuming and require a high skill level and much patience
I have never seen a pistol preserved in this fashion but I can find no rust and the finish appears intact
Any advice or sage words of wisdom before I start putting this puzzle together???
It's an interesting piece
Mike
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Judging by some diagrams I just looked at, it wouldn't hurt to be well-versed in watchmaking to tackle that project. 0 -
I once purchased a 1917 S&W that was so full of dried cosmoline you could not cock the hammer. Total dissaembly and parts cleaner used.
Wish I still had that beast.0 -
Just remember when you're finished, if there are any parts left over, they're probably not needed[;)][;)][:I] 0 -
Yes I put each part in a clear plastic bag with the corresponding part number from the better exploded view diagram
After cleaning and inspecting it
The watch analogy is apt - I have been using some jewelers tools
Thank god for these magnetic stainless steel bowls - they are a lifesaver
It may be the most complicated firearm I have ever taken apart - and I have done my Walther toggle lock shotgun and a Luger...
The 1908 Bayard Bergman and all 3 variants of the frommer stop now look easy by comparison
The owner thinks that if all the parts are their - and match - and the gun will function that he can get $7000.00 and up for it at auction
The bore looks perfect - I don't think the gun was shot much
I can't imagine carrying it in a holster
Has anyone owned one or fired one or cleaned one???
Mike0 -
Since sleep eluded me last night so with the heavy rains outside and the fireplaces going inside I started reassembling the pistol
Using diagrams and exploded views and snippets of online content I spent roughly 3 hours adding parts back then pulling them off and trying new orders or combinations - configurations and orientation
Makaila was off and was sitting in an oversized leather reclining chair with a some peer review journals and a glass of red wine - sweats and ugghs and a hoodie - hair up with a pencil stuck in it
She says she likes to watch me work - when I get quietly absorbed in a project and am trying to puzzle things out
I have the pistol put back together - and without live ammo it seems to run and move as it was intended
I will have to test fire it to prove its okay
What an intricate beast - like Escher designed a combination Babbage engine and multifunctional pocket watch
I do not like the design of the safety - it's not like the ones on a Luger - it's not a Franz's Joseph nickle design - i don't trust it but that may be unfamiliarity talking
Nobody has one - or has handled or fired or cleaned one???
Mike0 -
You're a better man than I to have the patience that task required. If that piece truly sells for anything near the price you mentioned the seller really owes you a prep fee. 0 -
Observations and field notes - shorthand in the margins
Made from 1893 to 1902 with approx 3000 examples produced
Early guns are lowe than DWM
While there are about a dozen known working pre-production prototypes that differ widely in construction - all production models are 100% identical with no variation
This is SER# 194 and bears a Swiss naval crest and an odd proof indicating it was sent to Switzerland for testing and possible purchase contract run
I looks like maybe 23 separate countries received pistols for testing including the united states...
Everyone reports the same problems - poor sights - cumbersome - straight up and down grip was un-ergonomic and short - magazine capacity - cannot load mags or pistol with stripper clips - weak round with poor penetration - heavy - difficult to maintain in the field
The Swiss returned a report suggesting 12 modifications - and stated they would order the guns if modified to their preference
Hugo refused - said it was perfect and unique and he would make no changes
Hugo learned the trade here in the states first at Winchester (he steals some lever and spring concepts) and that at sharps till they went bust
First detachable magazine in grip design - he designed the mags with a chap named Luger (wooden mag bases)
A design of springs and rollers and pivots - heavy coiled mainspring in the rear overhand housing
1st commercially successful semiautomatic pistol / production piece
Crest is marked Loewe - a conspicuous lack of markings for a German pistol
Hinged pivot trigger - like backwards crescents connected at one spot
When Hugo refused to make any changes they turned it over to Luger and we all know that story
Short recoil operated toggle lock action
I don't have any 7.63 borchardt ammo on hand (I feel I have dissapointed you) but had plenty of 7.63 Mauser (lighter load)
Certain design elements have been borrowed from the maxim machine gun
Awful sights
Later MG08 snail drum magazines were adapted - a suppressor conversion was done...
Saddle ring is evident
The gun fires well - cycles slower than you might expect
I do not have the board combo hosted and shoulder stock
Higher capacity stick mags should have been offered
Positive ejection - a definite left rolling torque during muzzle flip
It intrigues me - and it's my first time with one
Comments - concerns - anecdotes - critiques - suggestions - compliments - hate mail???
Mike0 -
Pics? 0 -
Not permitted - how may go through RIA and they have some policy about pics pre auction
The guns that he lists on GB I will try to post pics for all to see
Mike0 -
The gun was just sold to a private party - a big collector and author...
After I had completely stripped and cleaned and lubed and reassembled and test fired it I wrote up a data sheet and a range report with some history included
The owner was attending a small collectors show displaying this gun and my report for the first time
He says it got a lot of attention especially my documentation and pictures
He sold it for $8500.00 - the Swiss naval trials crest and proof apparently drove the price up
He sent me a check for $350.00 and a few gift cards (I suspect regifting)
He also handed out my business card and there are a number of folks who would like me to take on similar projects
I think I did OK and I enjoyed it
Did I do okay - your thoughts would be appreciated
Mike0 -
You done good Mike. 0 -
Not good......EXCELLENT! 0 -
Think I might do the he webley fosbery zig zag semiautomatic revolver - 8 shot .38 colt automatic with the 7 3/4" heavy target bbl next - with the Yankee Elihu root angular channel cuts and adjustable target sights - a so called Walter winans model (and try out its accompanying prideaux device)
I know I have a box of .38 colt automatic conical lead nose ammo in storage somewhere
I have fired a Mauser zig zag semiautomatic revolver once upon a time but I have never had any variant of this action type apart before
Anybody have one or use one or clean one regularly???
Mike0
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