subscribing

I may ask David if he wants to reblue 3 Ortgies pistols next. They are from the '20's and were made by DWM in Germany. They're small pocket pistols in .25ACP and .32ACP and look like a Browning design.

one spoon at a time.

OK, OK, I was just getting a little excited!

I just received this update from David...

"Got the new one today. It's a WOW. Almost perfect with just a little freckling on it. Cool.

Onward! "

Here we go!

Oops, I guess I should indicate that David is talking about a replacement slide that he got for me as mine was badly pitted.

Today's progress... the replacement slide gets prepped
 

From David today...

As it was when I got it...some pitting on both sides but much better than your original..
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645367.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645430.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645454.jpg
Stripped and starting to draw file the flats.. .
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645497.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645509.jpg
100 grit emory...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645539.jpg
250 grit emory...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645570.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645599.jpg
to the buffer...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645628.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645641.jpg

More in pt 2...

Today, part 2...
 

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645667.jpg
washed off in mineral spirits...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645694.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645717.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297645731.jpg
The pitting on the rounded parts buffed out a bit but still remain and will. Taking them all out out will alter the lines too much so... but it will be much better than what you had.
It should go to the tank this week sometime...

onward...."

Excellent work!!!

Ortgies Pistols.........
 

As an aside, you can change the .32 Ortgies into a .380 by simply changing the barrel. The magazines will feed both .32 acp and .380 acp. Because it is a blowback design, the .32 recoil spring is sufficient for the bigger round. Also, the grips are removed by reaching inside the magazine well and pressing back on a spring loaded piece that holds the grips in place. Interesting design to eliminate the need for grip screws. I had one for years and used it as a "car gun". Not very fancy or sophisticated, but it always worked when I pulled the trigger!

Thanks Fred, I wish you could do the same with the 1903-1908 Colt hammerless. The barrels will interchange but the mag is a no go. You could go backwards I suppose, but why.

Fred,
That's good to know! My .32 Ortgies is really nice, but the two .25's need some help. One is fair, but the other has a lot of pitting on the slide but everything else looks good. I really like these small pistols and I'm developing a fondness for the Walther PP and PPK, too bad I can't afford to indulge that right now.

All I have to say about Walthers Art is shoot one. Preferably a PP. If you can get 3 full mags through it with no problems, buy it. I have had them all, PP, PPk, PPK-S, I won't own another, not that I would stake my life on at least. The PP was the best, but still unreliable. Very sexy guns though. The PA-63 is a much more reliable gun, looks the same and 1/3 the price. If there really was a James Bond, and he really carried a PPK, there would have been only one movie. Although he carried a Berretta in the first movie I believe.

Flame away all you walther guys.

I guess I should explain. I like guns and collect them for several reasons/purposes:

1. Guns that interest me (design, engineering, etc) Walther, Remington 51, Ortgies
2. Guns I like to shoot at the range (Sigs, S&W's, 1911)
3. Guns I carry for personal defense (Sig, 1911's, S&W's)
4. Guns that have a special meaning to me (AR-15, Beretta 92FS, M1911A1)

I won't carry an old gun for self defense (except my M1911A1's!) and it takes me a long time to get comfortable with a gun to carry it for self defense. Right now, the Sig P239 is my carry weapon, but I'm looking for a smaller summer carry piece, maybe a Sig P232 or similar gun. I do not like Glocks because of the way they feel in my hand and their triggers. It's a personal preference to me as I can see the good and bad in just about every design and style of gun out there. I don't care for revolvers, but that's just a personal preference for semi-automatic pistols. I usually recommend a revolver for a gun novice as their 1st gun.

If a family member or friend gives me a gun, it automatically goes into a "special category" and I will always keep them because of who gave them to me. Hopefully, I'll be able to pass them along to my kids some day...

understood.

I guess I should also mention that I really, really like everything John Moses Browning ever designed/engineered! I don't know why, but I love Sigs, even though they aren't the prettiest beasts out there...

Now I need to find a .380 barrel for the Ortgies!

Something to keep in mind if you are planning on using one of these neat old guns for self defense, hollow point bullets didn't exist when they were designed.

You may find they feed FMJ/round nose ammo just fine, but won't feed hollow points worth a crap.

My uncle has a .380 1903 that runs fine on FMJ, but won't feed JHP at all.


Tangent: David, you know anything about old colt revolvers? I have a 1903 pocket pistol that needs the timing checked/fixed.

Hey emcon, if it is an 03 hammerless, it would be a .32. If it's a .380 it's a 1908 hammerless. You are right in factory condition they only like ball. Mine have been worked so they eat anything. Timing is everything on a revolver. I would strongly suggest you send it to Colt as it is a critical operation. The aren't as expensive as you might think.

Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC > Customer Services > Repair & Refinish > Firearm Repair

Dammit. I have no idea why I typed that. I had my uncles pistol on the brain.

Mine is a .32 Police Positive.

Based on the serial number is it from 1914.

i like those.

It is a neat old pistol, looks like a prop from a Bowery Boys movie.

I called Colt, they won't touch it, they say it is too old. They recommended this guy: Jack First Gunshop - First in Gun Parts - Rapid City, South Dakota

I will not shoot JHP or "hot" ammo through this pistol. I'll take it to the range and shoot mild FMJ reloads with it. I don't carry any of my older guns for self defense, although I'm sure the M1911A1's would be up to the task!

Old handguns.........
 

I agree that sometimes the older handguns can be particular about their diet. I have a Colt 1908 made in 1930 that works quite well with the new Hornady self defense ammo (.380 ACP). That is the ammo with the polymer plug in the hollow point cavity that is designed to keep the bullet from plugging up on clothing material. This pistol is just too perfect for a carry gun to not use it!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297865517.jpg

Fred,
That's beautiful, I really like that spoon!

I like the Corbon polymer ball-tipped self defense ammo in .380 that we use in my wife's Ruger LCP.

Fred that is a really nice. I carry the same pistol most of the time, or it's little brother an 03 in .32. Love those guns. Actually I would have to say they are my favorites.

Colt as a carry gun.......
 

I got a guy in Texas named Ed Buffaloe to make an IWB holster for the 1908. The holster is lined with soft pigskin to protect the pistol's finish. It fits the gun perfectly and snaps on the belt loops to make it easier to put on. You can go to his website "unblinkingeye.com" and see some of his work. Here is a picture of an IWB holster that he made for my Colt Detective Special.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297869963.jpg

The revolver in the pictue is a Colt Agent, but other than the grip, it is the same size as the Det. Spec.

I'm a little late to the party here. Dave, IIRC superglue was developed by the military as an emergency battlefield wound dressing, i.e. to keep things together and other things from falling out until more definitive medical/surgical treatment could be accessed.

Great thread!

Best,
Tom

I tried to shoot my Ortgies .32 at the range on Saturday and the after-market mag will not function correctly. I can't seem to find an authentic Ortgies mag for the gun and until I do, it's useless... The after-market mags for the Ortgies pocket pistols are garbage, at least the ones I've tried...

Most after market mags are crap, sorry to say.

The only after-market mags that have ever worked for me are MecGar, but they don't make one for the Ortgies...

Remington Model 51 on cover of magazine...
 

I picked up this magazine at John King Used Books in Detroit today because my Remington Model 51 is at 7 O'clock and my newly purchased Colt 1903 Hammerless is at 9 O'clock. I looked for books on the Walther and Colts, but they didn't have any, just the "encyclopedia of guns" types of books that are a mile wide and an inch deep in terms of information...http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1299353122.jpg
The magazine was published in July of 1986...

Back from the tank!
 

now to put the puzzle back together....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1299361968.jpg

It's a black mirror!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1299362007.jpg


( I have already put it back together, but I'm not gonna spoil Arts braggin rights. I'll send the finished pics to him and he can post them and close the door on this thread.)

No more help is needed with his M 51.

This was fun. Thanks guys.

Wow! I'm speechless!!!
 

Wow! I'm speechless!!! David is truly a craftsman! This is what she looks like now...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1299363398.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1299363431.jpg

I simply can't believe what David was able to do with this pistol! It was a basket case and now it's beautiful. This will be the pistol that my daughter and wife shoot. Simply fantastic work... I really admire people who are this skilled and patient!

Wait until you get my bill....LOL. Just kidding. Thanks for the comps Art. I really had fun doing this for you. Now send me that Colt!

One more...
 

One more...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1299363873.jpg

I'll send the Colt 1903 Hammerless to David as soon as I receive it...I believe he is up to the challenge!

Good stuff, Gents.

Deal well done, it gets no better.

Thanks Paul. I'll get to you next.

I think the 08 will have to go ffl -ffl though. Are they C&R?

Count on it.

It is fun to watch the before and after. Art, well done!