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July 22, 2013, 10:19 AM | #1 |
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No more 45 Lugers or P-38s
John Martz died.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sac...09#fbLoggedOut When I was really into collecting guns, a Martz was a fantasy. WAAAYYY up there in price. But cooollll.... Martz made .45 cal Lugers and Walther P-38s. Quite a process. The lugers were made from TWO lugers. He'd cut em off center so they'd make a frame big enough for the 45. Had to be exact machining and welding. Custom barrels fitted and I don't remember how he did the magazines, but I seem to remember they might have been sectioned, too. Wish I could have afforded one back when he was going strong. |
July 22, 2013, 01:45 PM | #2 |
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That's a shame, loss of a fine craftsman.
Yes his .45s got the ink, but what I lusted after was a .22 Magnum Navy. |
July 22, 2013, 01:53 PM | #3 |
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And the value of the firearms he crafted in folks' hands probably just doubled if not more.
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July 22, 2013, 05:48 PM | #4 |
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I don't think he had been doing pistolsmithing for some time, so the numbers of guns out there was static anyway. I almost bought a baby P38 last year, but hesitated too long. He was one of a kind in the trade, as were each of his creations. Few people will go through life attaining the recognition he got in his field and by his fans. It is nice to hear he was a nice and personable person along with it.
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July 22, 2013, 06:54 PM | #5 |
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It is a shame he passed, but he didn't make the only .45 Lugers.
See http://www.krausewerk.com/45luger.html
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July 23, 2013, 08:21 AM | #6 |
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Krausewerks doesn't list any info about current production on their site and the article is from 15 years ago. Any idea if they still produce them?
In 1968 cutting two luger in half may not have been a big deal, but the thought makes me cringe 45 years later. Did he use the left over halves to make the 22 WMR Lugers mentioned above? That would be more interesting to me. |
July 23, 2013, 08:29 AM | #7 |
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^ same here, i'm interested by the thought of a .22WMR Luger.
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July 23, 2013, 09:54 AM | #8 |
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Blue Book lists Martz Lugers along with the originals.
He built 11 .22 WMRs plus two carbines. |
July 23, 2013, 10:54 AM | #9 |
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Martz auction on GB So, did he make a lot of other calibers also? Did he do general smith work? I think this is the first I have heard of him.
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July 23, 2013, 10:59 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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July 23, 2013, 11:12 AM | #11 |
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A shooting buddy has a Mauser P08 restored by Martz, and it's a beauty. My Luger was restored by John Lawson, another well-known Luger specialist who's getting on in years; who will replace them when they're gone?
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July 23, 2013, 11:15 AM | #12 | |
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Quote:
The ad you link is to a Navy, still in 9mm. The question is, was it a Navy when he started with it? Maybe he just restored a worn Navy and added the Martz Safe Toggle Release (MSTR on the left rail.) or maybe he assembled one out of parts, having found a rear toggle with adjustable sight. Handsome piece, either way. |
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