Swiss side plate
 

On an otherwise matching numbered Swiss 06, the side plate is numbered on the bottom side with the number 11. Would this indicate a factory replacement? No number on face of side plate or on any other place on the side plate. Numbers seem about 3/4 size of others.

My 1900/06 Swiss is numbered in the commercial style, just like yours:

Sideplates of Swiss Pistols 1900/06 (DWM) are always numberd like this. The 1900/06 produced by W+F have 3 digits at the same place on the sideplats.

Alexander

Yes, the side plates of Swiss Lugers are always numbered in this place, sometimes even upside down.
Armin.

This is a W+F Bern pistol, so not only is the number wrong, but should be three numbers, not two. Last three on frame are 279. Should the locking bolt also be marked 279, 79 or not numbered?

I would think that the Swiss cared enough about precision and compliance with regulations that there was a specified orientation for the numbers when stamped anywhere on the pistol.

When you see an example of the number "upside down" I have to chuckle that the factory worker was probably having a bad day and grabbed the first number stamp between his fingers incorrectly. :eek: :mad: Numbers were stamped individually...

Of course when you strike the first number upside down, it is only logical that the only way to keep that part in service is to stamp the rest of the number the same way. :thumbsup:

My W&F Bern Luger sn 21xxx has the last two digits (only) stamped in that position of the trigger plate, and no numbering on the locking bolt. The orientation of the numbers is 180 degrees (upside down) as compared to the DWM side plate.

The locking bolt lever has a more thin and almost delicate appearance compared to Lugers I have.

I would second Marc's (mrerick) comments. My W+F Bern is marked as his right down to the upside down side plate number. A side plate stamped with three numbers is the exception rather than the rule. The reason for three numbers is not exactly known. Popular theory is that a production run of guns exceeded 100 therefore there were two guns with the same last two digits of the serial number, so one of them was marked with three digits to differentiate it from the other.

My W+F Bern is also marked the same and upside down. No number on locking bolt. Numbers are 3 digits. Bill