Safe to shoot a reworked (erased serials) Imperial DWM?
 

Hello,
I have an Imperial DWM who was refurbished in the 1920 era and by that I mean that:
- the year on the reciver is completly gone (along with almost 0.5mm from the reciver)
- the markings on the barrel are barely visible
- the proof marks from the right side are allmost gone
- the DWM sigla from the troggle lock also look polished
Except that, everything looks verry nice.
I allready fired 5 shots (115 grains) and the gun worked perfect.
Should I be worried or try my luck and continue fireing?
Thank you

Just looks refinished to me... no sweat if you have already fired it and experienced no problems. Remember no HOT loads. NO +P. No NATO rounds... Enjoy.

Your subject line says "erased serials." If there is no serial number on the gun, isn't it illegal?

Yes, my mistake, the serials are visible, the proof marks are allmost gone.
Don't worry, the pistol is registerd... And I live in Europe where the laws are extremly restrictive even for collectors.

I was concerned that grinding off half a mm or more from the top reciever (to erase the year) would affect the strenght of the entire structure and in time lead to cracks or worse.

I should be safe to shoot. I wouldn't hesitate shooting it with standard factory loads. It would take much more metal removed to make it unsafe.

Thank you for your fast responses.
I shot it more than 100 times since than and everything went just fine!

First ave it checked by a serious armurer, then always avoid modern heavy loads.

Safe shooting.

My understanding is that "modern" factory loads (at least those in the US) are somewhat lighter than those loaded in the mid-20th century.

he doesn't live in the USA

Heavy loads means +P and +P+

One century old Lugers should never be fired with modern high speed and high power ammunition because in the meantime they might have become structurally unsound.

Shoot safe.

Sergio