Question? Need input!
 

I just checked 5 1920/23 (I can't tell the difference) Commercials. These are all matching original guns. There is a two digit number on the rear of the breech block that has no relation to the serial number. They are as follows: SN 91382...14; SN 4689k...67; SN 9824k...53; SN 414m...32; Sn 2255m...69. I checked DWM, Erfurt, & Mauser military guns, a 1900 commercial, a 1900 AE and there are no numbers on the rear of the breech block in any of these guns.

Any comments?
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Interesting discovery Hugh...

I can't wait for someone who knows the answer to educate us on this one... could it be some kind of inspection mark during manufacturing? a manufacturing batch # identification or possibly an indication of heat treatment or hardness?

<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> Hugh, when you say 'on the rear of the breech block' is it safe to assume that you mean on the top side, and that it is different than the number on the extractor which should be the last two of the serial number?

Herb,

These are COMMERCIAL guns, numbered in the commercial manner. There is no number on the extractor or the middle toggle link. The number I am refering to is on the REAR of the breechblock, next to the slotted end of the firing pin retainer. You have to remove the toggle train, and flex the breechblock down against the pressure of the firing pin spring to see it clearly. It is on the opposite side of the slot that the firing pin sear rides in, on the rear of the breechblock.
<img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />

<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> Well, DUH. What the heck are you lookin in there for anyway?? <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" /> My mismatched 37 DWM with a S/42 toggle train #79 has a 46 stamped there, the 1918 matching DWM has an 'N', The 1920ish Bulgarian is blank. I didn't take the other 1918 apart. Hopefully someone has an answer.

My 1920's DWM Commerical (serial # 3355 r) has "91" at the location on the rear of the breechblock...

I've long noted this 2 digit number on the rear of commerical breech blocks. I've always assumed that it was some sort of inspectors number, but these are usually only a single digit and I can't imagine ninety-odd inspectors doing the same job. So perhaps one of John Sabato's other theories is correct. Tom H.