Halo around 1917
 

Is the halo around my DWM 1917 normal? It actually looks bad under the flashlight from the camera?

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...Picture159.jpg

While halos on barrel serial numbers are normal, I have never seen one as exagerated as yours.
Is the finish on the gun entirely original? If it is, then I see no reason to doubt the halo
If the finish is at all questionable, I would venture to say that perhaps a previous owner heard that collectors look for halos and decided to "freshen" the halo a bit to enhance the gun's curb appeal

Nothing surprises me on pistols made in 1916 or 1917.

It only looks like this under macro shot taking at really close range with flash. If you are looking with your naked eyes it's just normal halos like those found on any other Lugers. I think the flash intensified it a bit.

The witness mark should show discoloration as well. Have a picture?

You mean the 'line'? I haven't taken down the pistol yet but will post pics of everything inside as soon as I have a chance to take it down.

What do the experts think of these halos?

In my opinion, the halos seem to extend to the right of the "7"; the "0"; and the "3"

If a person were right handed and applying something to the metal to remove the blue and create the impression of a halo, they may have started with the first number, perhaps using a cotton "Q-Tip" and dabbed something on each of these first three numbers. This could explain why the three halos on each of these first three numbers tend to expand to the right side of each of the three numbers. In other words, the fluid would have followed the "Q-Tip" from left to right.

Now look at the last number, the number "1"

It has a halo, but notice that the bottom of the number "1" has no halo at all showing in the photograph. How could the bottom of the number "1" have somehow avoided showing any halo? Or is this just the way the light is shining in the picture?

Or am I just being overly suspicious?

The halo on this serial number is without a doubt very pronounced, but as George stated: "Nothing surprises me on pistols made in 1916 or 1917". When dissecting the halo details, also observe the small details that would be difficult to create by micro bead blasting or dabbing with "Q-Tips". The indentation to the left of the leading "7" or the fine detail between the "0" and the "3" is indicative of either the hand of a master forger or the natural result of metal stamping. With such a common variant as this Luger, what would be gained by forging the halo?

Hi all, very much appreciated with all your expert's invaluable opinions. I managed to take some day time pics on the gun again here is another view of the same area in daylight. I can't see anything unusual just some faint area of halos around the numberings. But somehow the flash intensified everything and may be revealed some dark secrets behind this?

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...f/IMG_5135.jpg

I have managed to take some pic of the partial witness mark too, but not yet taken down or field strip the gun. You can also see some halos around the 'line' area.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...f/IMG_5133.jpg

Mr Wood - Thank you for taking the time to provide your excellent explanation of this particular halo.

Vernonsmith - Wow, what a difference between the flash and the daylight pictures! This certainly illustrates the importance of lighting when taking pictures.