Proof Mark Identity
 

Can anyone tell me what this proof mark is?

Rather than being a PROOF, this is an Imperial inspector's marking, showing that the receiver had been inspected and met specs. What's missing are the overall inspector's marking and the test firing proof. TH

Thanks. It is different than the markings on my 1913 DWM. This is on a 1917 DWM. Forgive my ignorance, still new to alot of this. Why would the other marks and proofs not be on gun?

There would normally be two Imperial German inspection marks and a proof Eagle on the receiver in this area. On the barrel there would be proof marks as well.

This one looks like it may have been plated and heavily buffed out.

Are you trying to engrave replacement marks on it?

That is quite well defined on such a heavily buffed receiver, isn't it... :confused:

I do not intend on engraving marks on it. I just bought it as a shooter. Was billed as "British" proof marks. I figured that to be totally incorrect. Plan on swapping out the grips. Although, as odd as they are, may just leave them on. Lol. When I get it in hand, I will post better pictures.

If it ever spent any time in Britain, it will have very distinctive British proof marks on it, generally on the barrel. So far, I don't see any.

Marc

Wow. Peanut shell grips. That is awesome, dude... :eek: :thumbup: :cheers:

well, considering the gentleman that I am buying it from...

I really appreciate the sense of humor of the folks on this forum, and I am quite impressed with the Photoshop skills some of you have!:)

Is that C/T? Then inspector was Herr Triebel.
:thumbup:

A couple of observations:

I agree with Richard that it is odd for such a single, crisp and well defined proof to be on the gun in the abcense of any others.

If the grips are real antler, I can tell you that such well-figured bone has not been available for gun grips in many, many years. (Look at old cowboy serials and compare the beautiful grips on some Colt SAAs, versus what is on the market today). I would keep those on the gun!

Jussi, I don't know if you noticed the "rocker" under the C/T inspector's marking. This would indicate a second inspector whose last name began with a T, rather than the one without the underline (rocker). The grips shown, look like plastic to me. TH

The grips are supposed to be real stag horn. My dealer got it in today. I will be picking up on Sat. I will take some good pictures and post them up.

Are you going to the Allentown Forks of the Delaware show this weekend?

As a shooter, it should be a good one.

I like antler grips, buy them when I can - many are very thick.

If it rains, I'm going to try to go to the Allentown show. Have lots of pest control work scheduled for Sat. Rain means reschedule and a day off. :)

Went to the Oaks show a while back but no super deals on Lugers. Wound up buying a repro holster for the P38 and a very nice Austrian (German) M35 helmet.

I'll bet it was quite a sight seeing you driving down the road with that helmet on...
dju

the shape of the crown looks odd like a bit of a cartoon. any one else think that?

looks like this a bit:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EjPY9E0oIs...Bullwinkle.jpg

You know, the temptation was too great. I did put it on several times on the way home. LOL. Did my best Sgt. Schultz ""I know nothiiing"

No offense, but that looks like a reproduction helmet. The roll of the edge, the general shape of the helmet and the color are all wrong for an M35.

No offense taken at all. I bought it as a novelty item and for what I paid for it reproduction or real it was a steal. It has a fresh coat of paint on it. That's the way I bought it. Also has a new strap. Not a ding on it or beat up at all so you very well may be correct.

Well the grips do indeed appear to be genuine, not plastic.

Got it this AM. Better condition than the pics from seller portrayed it. Very tight gun.

The helmet is an Austrian M17.
My feeling says repro too - but if priced accordingly, then everybody's happy!

The plating is actually pretty clean. Some minor scratches here and there but there are no thin/wear spots. Highly reflictive. The magazine or wood base have no markings on them at all. Most all of the parts have same serial #. Only the takedown is different. Side plate has no markings at all.

That should make a great shooter....Congrats. I might suggest, just in case you don't know/remember, stick with std. velocity ammo like WWB 115gr FMJ or PMC 115gr FMJ. No NATO, +P,+P+ ammo. Let us know how it functions.

I think the plating and those grips make a nice product.

Neat looking grips. I think they are what is called "jigged bone" which very likely came from an animal that used to go "moo".:) They look pretty good on your gun.

+ 1 Real antler rarely comes in pieces that wide and flat.

I used to do 'custom' knife scales; I have a couple in cow bone. Old timers use a air tool used for cutting sheet metal with an assortment of tips to do the 'jigging'. They then go over the bone lightly with a torch to get the brown coloring (or stain them). Somebody put a lot of time & effort into that set; milling out the rears and fitting them.

Is it chromed or nickeled??? If you're not sure, hold it next to a chrome motorcycle bumper. Nickel will look slightly yellow-ish compared to chrome.

It's a show stopper. Vendors use these plated pistols to draw in the curious. Works on me. :rolleyes:

I will have to compare it to my Tahoe bumper. I am leaning towards nickel. Took a little polish to small spot and rag came up black. In my experience, chrome would not leave a black tarnish residue upon polishing it.
Whoever did the plating, did a good job. Markings not ground down too much and sharp edges pretty much still there. It may just be me but it seems heavier than my 1913 DWM. The grips are slightly thicker and actually feel nice in hand.

B.T.W. Thank you everyone for your comments and input.

I wasn't sure I liked these grips or not, but I've been watching the first four seasons of Longmire and I kind of like the stag grips on his 1911. I think I may look for a set...Either for a Luger or a 1911... ;)

...Although stag grips on a Nambu might look awesome too... :D

I believe your single inspection mark is the sign of a receiver destined as a spare, or not assembled until after WWI.

Had it been used by the German services, it would have additional inspection and a proof marking on the right of the receiver in addition to that single mark.

David, practically every Harley Davidson rider I see has a similar shaped helmet... so I wouldn't have thought twice about seeing someone driving a car with it... just that he had strange choices in hat styles. :cheers: Practical motorcycle enthusiasts, like myself, don't consider them safe for riding...

Returning to incomplete proofs:

You see them now and again. Here is a 1918 P08 with correct test firing proofs, but with final acceptance proofs missing.

Although this pistol has been reblued, it shows no signs of removed or obliterated proofs.