Grip Markings on a 1920 DWM
 

A friend has a 1920 production DWM 9mm. All appears correct, original, and matching, including 2 correct magazines.

Here's the question. On the front gripstrap, it is marked "S.D. VIII" then "S.H." but those last two letters are "x"ed out. Then on the next line, "3.82. AL." These marks run vertically, in the same direction as the grip strap. Any clues?
Thanks for your time.
Doby Pilgrim
Santa Fe, NM

Doby,

This mark is a Unit Designation Mark... the pistol was probably transferred from one unit to another thus accounting for the "X" stamps over the last two letters... I am transferring your question to the Unit Marks forum...

test
 

test

photo test
 

Again apologies. Old guy trying to figure out how to send photos and thought by testing on a thread a couple years back, they wouldn't show up in a current listing. Senior moments are Hell.

Markings
 

Walt, can't help with those markings, nothing like them in my references but I have made the following observation...that rear sight is from a Navy Luger, they have 6" barrels and your photo appears to show a 4" or possibly a 3 7/8 " barrel. If this thing is all matching I'd be very suspicious. It's also possible that the photo is not appearing correctly on my computer.