Recently I have seen 2 1917 Navies, both are believed to be authentic, and both exhibit halo's.
I always thought that Proofs on Navy receivers were struck prior to blueing, but these 2 Lugers are evidence to the contrary. Since both Lugers are 1917's, and both exhibit rougher workmanship, I thought perhaps that this might be evidence of rushed late war production? If this is the case, can other 1917 owners please identify their production time from the serial# and maybe you can help demonstrate a pattern to this theory. <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

For the record, the serial number of my 1917 dated Navy is 1676ns.

Some impulse (probably unwise) just makes me want to say this for the record. It's hard to understand why any sensible person would stamp a blued surface. Stamping is a locally violent process guaranteed to disrupt the soft, ultra-thin film and invite the corrosion which bluing (even rust bluing) is supposed to inhibit.

Since bluing has no effect on any functional aspect of a gun, I would order MY Luger factory to do all the inspecting, testing and proofing of the barrel/receiver assembly in the white, field strip the gun, polish, blue, reassemble and ship. So there...I feel better now.

Silvano:


IMHO, the two Navies that you saw, based on your describtion, would seem to be two of the many bogus Navies that are floating around.

Good Hunting

I have no idea of the production date/serial number relationship, but for the record the serial# on my 1917 Navy is 8958, no suffix. It has a large toggle-pin head, no apparent proof halos, and considering the shape its in its unlikely anybody would have faked it.

--Dwight

Yes Dwight, but its a NAVY!

Even tho I'm Army and Army I is, those navies sure attract me! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Silvano,

Please check your Private Messages by visiting your profile (link is at the top of the page)

Hi, SN with 2 suffix letters? i thought it existed only on some STG 44 in April/ May 45?

[quote]Originally posted by Johnny Peppers:
<strong>For the record, the serial number of my 1917 dated Navy is 1676ns.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Ed:

The "ns" indicates no suffix.

Regards