1916 DWM side plate
 

Hi All, I have this 1916 DWM Luger which has its barrel changed to a 7.65 caliber, but it is original bluing and all matching as far as I know because the side plate is different. The raised part of the side plate is checkered (like Knurling).
Any comments or opinion on this side plate is much appreciated.

Alf.

It seems that I have a prototype side plate:D

Alf:cheers:

Alf, Your side plate appears to be an original with some pitting on the raised portion. It's your breech block (front part of toggle assy) that is unusual: It appears to be higher than normal at top rear, perhaps repaired, and your front "bead" sight is a replacement that was quite popular during the first half of the 1900s. TH

TH, I appreciate your reply, thank you. I do not wish to question your judgment regarding the pitting on the side plate, but to me it kooks too uniform for that, it is more like knurling to me ( I think ).
The confusing part is that the numbers are matching, clean and they do match with the rest of the gun regarding the font and size.
:(
Alf

Alf,
At first I thought the marking might have been made by a tool, such as pliers or a vise. But the knurling is too uniform and looks like it was done deliberately. Very interesting and I have no idea why it would be done.

Same here:D
Alf

I have never seen checkering on the sideplate before. This "looks" old enough that it may have happened at or near the time it left the factory. It looks smaller, but out of curiosity, how does the size and pattern of the checkering on the sideplate compare to the magazine release button, the takedown lever, and the toggles? Could this be factory checkering?

Has the gun been deactivated. Suspicious cut in the bolt/toggle interface.

Regards Ken D

Alf,

I suggest the possibility that this gun was "sporterized" by a competent craftsman. There is a channel cut through the forward toggle and extractor, presumably to provide a clear sight picture to the added bead front sight. Is the rear sight modified? Perhaps it is cut lower to compensate for the low point of aim? Then there is the added .30 Luger barrel. Finally the checkered side plate. I suggest that this may have been done to obscure localized pitting on an otherwise clean gun. There appear to be pitts on some of the high spots. KFS

John, the side plate checkering is smaller then the rest, but very neat and uniform made. If this is factory checkering ?..

Ken D, no, the pistols has never been deactivated for sure.

Karl, I think you are on the right track, except that the side plate checkering was not done because of pitting because under neath is clean as far as I can see. The rear sight is not modified and when you aim the gun, the channel in the toggle does not seems the interferes with the sighting, so I do not know why it was done.

Thank you guys for your input. :cheers:
Alf.

another photo

toggle chanel

sight photo

I have never seen a toggle channel milled out like this one before. Seems to me this would only weaken the structural integrity of the toggle.

Alf,

This is a very intriguing piece. And obviously done by a very skilled artisan. Checkering that fine and uniform would take great skill. Is the front of the front sight base checkered also?

Ron

Here is the front of the front sight :)

Alf

Alf, is the front sight base actually part of the muzzle band or has it been attached by some means such as silver solder?

John, as I best as I can see, it is part of the barrel, if it is not than it is a hell of a job.:D
Alf

Alf, Thanks for the great photos. I now can see the checkering on the sideplate. I have the ideal mag for your luger: Aluminum bottom #8489o E/63 with the sides of the bottom piece finely checkered. Some folks have more talent than sense. Lugerdoc

My guess it that the checkering on the side plate "high spot" was done to avoid the inevitable wear to the blue on this area from holstering.