Missing witness mark
 

Looking at a previous thread on the witness mark discussion Ive learned the the mark was not a single strike.

I have a byf 41 that Ive owned for many years and was of the opinion that the barrel had been replaced wartime because of the lack of the witness mark on the barrel.

So now I'm thinking it is the original barrel that just didn't get the strike.

Bob

The witness mark is a single strike on DWM pistols.

A major problem with Mauser production in WWII was that many barrels failed inspection after power proof, a result of using steel ball ammunition. Barrels were removed and replaced and re-proofed. It is not surprising that the odd barrel might slip through without completion of the witness mark.

--Dwight

Hi Dwight, This is certainly not the case with DWM Navies almost all of which clearly have "witness marks" consisting of two strikes. Some typical examples are shown below. I believe the first mark was applied to the receiver and the second to the barrel after it had been trued up.
Regards, Norm

As additional information, I have attached two photos of 42 Code pistols that I have always wondered about. In the second, the mark on the barrel appears to have been made by a more blunt tool than that on the receiver. I know the barrel is slightly larger than the receiver and the mark may simply be struck deeper on the barrel, but on close inspection, I believe they were not made at the same time or with the same tool as has been discussed. In the first photo, the witness mark on the barrel is missing. I had always assumed a replacement barrel, but now, maybe not.