East German proof?
 

Dear Experts

Would a barrel with a Crown/U (and no other marks or serial number on the barrel) be consistent with an East German and/or VOPO rework? I have observed Crown/N before, but not this(?)

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff,

Yes, that is possible. The crown/N was the standard nitro proof for new barrels, the crown/U was more of a quality check on existing parts.

Thanks!

Jeff

Vlim -

Both/three of my C96 Mauser "Broomhandle" barrels have the crown/U on the chamber...How does that relate to your "quality check on existing parts" theory??? :confused:

(Might even be two crowns over a U)

Hi,

Simple: The interpretation of laws by different proof houses in different areas.

The Suhl proof house was responsible for the Suhl area where the VEB Ernst Thälmann was located, so the DDR proofed pistols conform to the rules as interpreted by the Suhl proof house.

The Mauser C96 (and others) were subjected to proofing at the proofhouse in Oberndorf (later Ulm) and the crown/crown U was used as a test firing proof (the equivalent of the Suhl crown/N). Why the guys in the south used a different approach is unknown to me. It is clear, however, that the pre- and postwar Suhl proof house followed the German proof laws by the letter.

The official definition for the crown/U is that it is an inspection or 'Untersuchungs' marking. This marking was to be used for inspecting firearms that were presented for a voluntary inspection. These voluntary inspections were usually done after serious repairs or in other cases where there was a reason for retesting.

Hence: The crown/U on a pistol proofed in the Suhl area (also at its subsidiaries in Berlin, Frankfurt am Oder, Spandau and Erfurt before the war) has a different meaning than the crown/crown U found on pistols proofed in the Wurttemberg region (Ulm, Oberndorf am Neckar).

So each German "state" had it's own proofing? How about a Mauser made Luger in Oberndorf; could/would it have two proofs, crown/U and crown/crown/U???

IIRC, the crown/M is a Navy proof??? Who would have made/proofed that???

(BTW: Email/PM to you)

Hi,

Yes, it all got confusing when the guys in Württemberg decided not to follow the proof laws to the letter (who knows why?).

The Crown/N, Crown/U, Crown/B and Crown/Crown U are all 'commercial proofs'. Intended for pistols that went to the commercial (non-military) market.

The military had their own proofing regulations and staff. The crown/M is a navy proof and proofing would have been done at the factory under supervision of a navy representative.