No more 45 Lugers or P-38s

Lavan · July 22, 2013, 10:19 AM

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.

Jim Watson · July 22, 2013, 01:45 PM

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.

csmsss · July 22, 2013, 01:53 PM

And the value of the firearms he crafted in folks' hands probably just doubled if not more.

Sharpsdressed Man · July 22, 2013, 05:48 PM

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.

Double Naught Spy · July 22, 2013, 06:54 PM

It is a shame he passed, but he didn't make the only .45 Lugers.

See http://www.krausewerk.com/45luger.html

johnwilliamson062 · July 23, 2013, 08:21 AM

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.

silvermane_1 · July 23, 2013, 08:29 AM

^ same here, i'm interested by the thought of a .22WMR Luger.

Jim Watson · July 23, 2013, 09:54 AM

Blue Book lists Martz Lugers along with the originals.
He built 11 .22 WMRs plus two carbines.

johnwilliamson062 · July 23, 2013, 10:54 AM

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.

csmsss · July 23, 2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

I don't think he had been doing pistolsmithing for some time, so the numbers of guns out there was static anyway.

You're not looking at it correctly. It has nothing to do with the supply drying up and everything to do with demand for a commodity rising when it becomes obvious that no more will ever be manufactured. Same thing happens when artists die. And that's what a custom firearm is, after all - a piece of functional art.

RickB · July 23, 2013, 11:12 AM

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?

Jim Watson · July 23, 2013, 11:15 AM

Quote:

So, did he make a lot of other calibers also?

Yes, he made up Lugers in about any caliber that could be made to fit in the action but also the originals, 7.65 and 9mm.

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.

July 22, 2013, 10:19 AM	#1
Lavan Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1999 Location: California Posts: 2,714	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, 06:54 PM	#5
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	It is a shame he passed, but he didn't make the only .45 Lugers. See http://www.krausewerk.com/45luger.html __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

July 23, 2013, 08:29 AM	#7
silvermane_1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: Burien,WA Posts: 897	^ same here, i'm interested by the thought of a .22WMR Luger. __________________ Rugers:SR1911 CMD,MK 3 .22lr 6",Sec. Six '76 liberty .357 4",SRH .480 Ruger 7.5",Mini-14 188 5.56/.233 18.5", Marlins: 795 .22lr 16.5",30aw 30-30 20",Mossberg:Mav. 88 Tact. 12 ga, 18.5",ATR 100 .270 Win. 22",S&W:SW9VE 9mm 4",Springfield:XD .357sig 4", AKs:CAI PSL-54C, WASR 10/63, WW74,SLR-106c

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July 22, 2013, 01:45 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,534	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
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	And the value of the firearms he crafted in folks' hands probably just doubled if not more.

July 22, 2013, 05:48 PM	#4
Sharpsdressed Man Junior member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 1,176	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.

July 23, 2013, 08:21 AM	#6
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	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, 09:54 AM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,534	Blue Book lists Martz Lugers along with the originals. He built 11 .22 WMRs plus two carbines.

July 23, 2013, 10:54 AM	#9
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	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.

July 23, 2013, 11:12 AM	#11
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	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?