LP53 Resto help needed

[tinbum]

Its arrived and its in as poor condition as I'd expected. (On the plus side it was shooting strongly)

I have some questions and need some advice please.
In no particular order of importance;
the barrel pivot bolt is countersunk allen head on one side and a standard nut on the other, is that right?
The foresight element is held on place by a slotted brass screw. Again, is that right?
The piston seal is leather and doesn't appear to be giving a particularly good seal. What the best treatment for this or am i better off just buying a replacement?
Same with the breech seal.
The inner spring has snapped, so i reckon just replace both?
The grips are missing, i may have found some wood ones, but i would prefer plastic/bakelite.
The rear sight has gone, but I've heard an hw35 unit will fit.

By far the worst thing is the exterior finish! It has been painted at some point, but thats worn away too in the main, but the area where the grips should be looks to be smooth paint. Would that be right for the era? Also, how do i get a manufacter date?

So in summary I need:

Help and advice
HW35 rear sight
Plastic/Bakelite grips
Springs

Can you help?

[gingernut]

No -to your first two questions.
Should be big screw head on left little on right.
Sight held on by deep head screw.
The paint around the grips and on the body of the pistol is crackle finish matt black.
But some early models were smooth.
Barrel section is flat black.

Josie & John is the expert on these.
I say is as I suspect Josie rarely posts.
What's the serial number?

[tinbum]

Thankyou. Is there a serial number list to check the age?

[tinbum]

What's the serial number?

016093

[gingernut]

I think J&J have a list.
Yours is early.
I have my 026261 down as 1958.

[Mark D]

016093

Dates from - 1956 - poss middle of that year

[Mark D]

Try Proteck as they have some spares. A pivot screw assembly is about £22 posted

[tinbum]

Dates from - 1956 - poss middle of that year

Cripes! Thats older than i was expecting!

I know I'll never be able to get the box, barrel weights, cocking aid etc, but if i can get it looking and shooting right for its age I'll be one happy James Bond fanboy!

[Josie & John]

I agree - mid 1956, so relatively early. Protek are the place to ask as I believe the shop bought some Walther spares a little while ago and may well have what is needed. It is worth keeping an eye on that auction site or saving a search as parts do occasionally turn up. I was also told of a U.S. site by the World renowned authority on Walthers, Leonard Joe but have misplaced the link.

Len - if you see this thread, can you post the link I mean? We were discussing spare wooden grips for left handers when you last mentioned it.

Gingernut is quite right in that Josie rarely posts these days. Strange turnaround as she got me hooked on this site initially and it was me who rarely posted. She's always on that facebook thing these days

John

[johnbaz]

I have one, Serial number 094124, It came with the barrel weight which was loose and actually fell off during the first shot I took!!


I put it away in a very safe place- So safe in fact that I haven't a clue where to look for it!!



John

[Leonardj]

I agree - mid 1956, so relatively early. Protek are the place to ask as I believe the shop bought some Walther spares a little while ago and may well have what is needed. It is worth keeping an eye on that auction site or saving a search as parts do occasionally turn up. I was also told of a U.S. site by the World renowned authority on Walthers, Leonard Joe but have misplaced the link.

Len - if you see this thread, can you post the link I mean? We were discussing spare wooden grips for left handers when you last mentioned it.

Hi John,
Thank you for the kind words.

To the OP:
To my knowledge, there is no ready source for either NOS, or reproduction replacement plastic grips.
Keeping an eye peeled on the classifieds or auction sites for someone that may be parting out a gun is your best bet.

There is a source in Germany for the OEM, NOS left hand wood grips here:
http://www.gunsmoke.eu/wapen-grips/airpistol-grips/

Best read this post before placing your order though:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/405945/thread/1380066439

This is the correct grip set for the LP53:
http://www.gunsmoke.eu/wapen-grips/w...nded-wood-grip


The US source for Walther LP53 parts is JG Airguns:
http://www.jgairguns.biz/catalog/ind...ath=78_344_347

They also have the same OEM, NOS left hand grips in stock:
http://www.jgairguns.biz/catalog/pro...ducts_id=12660

[tinbum]

Well it looks like I've found another lp53 in a similarly distressed state, BUT it has the brown grips, barrel pivot and probably springs as well!

I still need to source a rear sight of some sort.

[Rickenbacker]

Well it looks like I've found another lp53 in a similarly distressed state, BUT it has the brown grips, barrel pivot and probably springs as well!

I still need to source a rear sight of some sort.

You're a lucky boy having these Walther experts posting on your thread.

I thort I'd pop in and spoil it!

And offer to send you an HW rear sight to try, if you really don't have one.

[tinbum]

You're a lucky boy having these Walther experts posting on your thread.

I thort I'd pop in and spoil it!

And offer to send you an HW rear sight to try, if you really don't have one.

I don't care what everyone says​. I think you're alright!

[zooma]

I have a genuine LP53 barrel weight - if you fancy one let me know.

I also have a complete front end for an LP53 that is ready to plug into the rear half of another LP53 but I am guessing that won't be much use to you.

Sorry I gave away a new set of LP53 springs to a previous club member last year so they are gone.

Unfortunately I do not have any complete rear sight assemblies so hopefully somebody here on the BBS will turn up with one for you - or you could use the HW one you have been offered as I know of others that have fitted them and claim this fix does work OK.