Side plate match
 

Does anybody else think this sideplate did not belong to this pistol?? Thanks Clint
http://www.gunrunnerauctions.com/lis...mnum=811793040

Clint, I believe that the side plate is original to this pistol. The font of the serial number is correct and the fit appears correct. There's many reasons that the finish can be off. Consider that 87 years have transpired since this Luger left the factory. The side plate is prone to wear and someone, or several people over the years may have tried to re cold blue or rematch the finish. I've seen this situation occur not too infrequently. It may have been better just to leave the finish as it was with its original wear, but people like the pristine look and will go to some lengths to try to get it. Just my $.02 worth.

Sideplates were made with a different quality of steel (softer) than most of the rest of the gun, it "takes" blue differently and appears to have different deterioration qualities.

--Dwight