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Post by abasmajor on Oct 26, 2023 11:08:18 GMT
I recently added this KWC Luger PO8 replica to my collection to sit alongside a much older Schimel pistol also based on the Luger but having the honour of being the first commercially produced CO2 capsule powered pistol and made for just two years between 1948-1950. I did a bit of light aging to both the KWC Luger and the holster using “Magic Eraser” sponges which are kinder to the original finish than emery paper only removing the paint very gradually until the desired effect is achieved.    Brian |
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Post by HeadHunter on Oct 26, 2023 11:10:53 GMT
Nicely done Brian and it's great to see a Schimel, I especially like the Luger magazine loading tool, I had one for my holster too, just makes it look the part.
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Post by Wild Bill on Oct 26, 2023 13:11:01 GMT
Very nice. Great looking historic pistol.  |
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CaptDAR
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The RIF Marshall
Always count your shots and don’t miss
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Post by CaptDAR on Oct 26, 2023 15:32:25 GMT
Lovely pair.
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Post by jaydee24ca on Oct 26, 2023 18:29:21 GMT
How is the Schimel shooting? I have two of them and have run into real problems sealing them properly. I bought a very good manual for them, but still can't seem to get them right. Hope yours is in better kit than mine. Lovely box you have for yours as well!
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Post by abasmajor on Oct 26, 2023 20:04:47 GMT
How is the Schimel shooting? I have two of them and have run into real problems sealing them properly. I bought a very good manual for them, but still can't seem to get them right. Hope yours is in better kit than mine. Lovely box you have for yours as well! I have quite a few vintage air pistols which means they don’t all get used on a regular basis, but it shot fine the last time I used it albeit some considerable time ago. I’m an active member of another forum which has a collectors section frequented as is this one, by some very knowledgeable contributors. One of them is an acknowledged expert when it comes to gas pistols and I know has successfully resealed many Schimels. If you PM me, I should be able to put you in touch with him if that would be of help. Brian |
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Post by jaydee24ca on Oct 27, 2023 5:36:41 GMT
Thanks for the offer, however because I live in a socialist left-wing country that is petrified of all things that look like they might go bang, we here in Canada are in a tight spot when it comes to shipping air pistols in and out of country. New ever more restrictive regulations every time we turn around. I have one of the schimels in at a shop in Vancouver that does nice work on vintage stuff, but I am not sure if they have experience with the Schimel. I will wait and see. I lent them my work manual too, so I am reluctant to work on the second pistol again till I get it back.
I spoke with the son of the fellow that built the Schimels, now living in Florida (Dave Schimel), and he provided a few seals to me, but other parts are scarce.
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Post by abasmajor on Oct 27, 2023 8:55:17 GMT
I didn’t realise you were located so far away and in a country where firearm restrictions are not dissimilar to our own. Interestingly, the Schimel box came with original paperwork which included a little leaflet advising that if shipped the pistol packaging must be clearly marked in a specific font size as being a firearm.
The contact I mentioned has very wide experience of servicing vintages gas pistols and even makes replacement spare parts and improved replacement seals himself. He has serviced my Crosman 600 and a few other Crosman and Benjamin co2 pistols for me over the years. He has also told in the past that the biggest problem he has with Schimels is the brittleness of the materials used causing some components to fracture during disassembly and assembly unless extreme care is taken.
Iconic pistols though, which I’m sure would have been a commercial success if more time had been available for there development.
Good luck with getting at least one of your Schimels up and running again.
Brian
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Post by jaydee24ca on Oct 27, 2023 22:48:07 GMT
Brian, I don't know if you have seen Trev's Airgun Scrapbook, but he does a nice presentation of the Schimel (Shimel). One of the things I have noticed on these guns is the shrinkage of the grip panels; are yours shrunken?
John D
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Post by abasmajor on Oct 28, 2023 8:47:51 GMT
Brian, I don't know if you have seen Trev's Airgun Scrapbook, but he does a nice presentation of the Schimel (Shimel). One of the things I have noticed on these guns is the shrinkage of the grip panels; are yours shrunken?
John D
Hi John, I am familiar with Trev’s Airgun Scrapbook which is an excellent source for all things vintage air gun related. The grip shrinkage problem associated with some Schimel pistols can also occur on early pistols from other manufacturers. I guess the materials available at the time just weren’t up to the standard we expect today especially under adverse storage or environmental conditions. Fortunately, mine are in good shape and I’m always very careful not to put too much stress on the more delicate parts when handling the pistol.   Brian |
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