10"Artillery
 

I am considering buying another 10" Commercial Artillery and wanted your input on this listing. The owner sent the frame serial #8630 and different barrel #1607. Frame and barrel marked Germany which is similar to mine. I have asked for photos of all the exterior markings and especially the witness mark.

If the witness mark is unmoved, can I assume that this is the original barrel?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=117033213

Thank you for your time.

I don't have Lugers At Random available to me at the moment... it is in storage.

but I have never heard this before , and unless substantiated by a published reference I would tend to not believe it... perhaps someone else has the book handy and can comment on this variation.

John,
That statement had me perplexed as well. The 10" Arty I own now has no serial number the barrel but the witness mark is perfect.
I'm waiting for the witness mark photo which I seriously don't think he will send.

Thank you John.

Kenyon makes absolutely no mention of the frame and barrel serial numbers not matching. The only thing that can be attributed to him from the reference cited in the ad is the naming of the variation as "1920 Artillery Commercial". The claim of "As is the case with their Carbine and Navy Commercial Lugers the barrel will have another serial number" is pure fabrication of the type you could use for fertilizer. It is a mis-matched gun...period.

Thanks Ron. That's what I thought.

I have a 10" AE artillery on an '06 type frame. Witness marks are correct and the barrel is correctly numbered with a five digit serial number. It also has a "GERMANY" stamp beneath the bluing on the front of the frame a wee little Crown/N proofs. The front sight is a commercial type and the rear sight a fine tune artillery with wide cut aperture.

The rear sight is previously numbered but the number has been pretty much wiped out. It is .30 calibre. All kinds of things bubbled up during the twenties.

Duane,

Do a search on "witness marks" on these Forums. Without quite a bit of experience examining Lugers, a witness mark is likely to send an ambiguous message. A comprehensive photo profile of the Luger you are considering might permit an analysis of the gun's origins.

--Dwight