Barrel Proof Help?
 

This is the barrel proof on my 1921/1920 re-work. The only reference I have is Lugers at Random. It's not shown. Does anyone know what it is? And what the complete proof looks like? Thanks! Ron http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/100_0062.jpg

Are the letters E/AYA4 ?....Simson rework proof mark

This is only a guess because I don't have time to research the answer, but I believe that this mark is a commercial barrel proof that is found on pistols that were reworked under contract by civilian businesses like VONO and ANSCHUTZ...

Someone who has Jan Still's Reference Books in their library can probably research this pretty quickly...

The only letter I can decipher, is the A. Don't have a clue otherwise. Jan Still just told me it's a proof found mostly on "1920-21 alphabet" Lugers. He did'nt go into futher detail. Still interested in what it looks like in complete form.
There does appear to be the leading edge of a 4, following the A.

Thanks! Ron

Hi,

It's most probably a provisionary early Weimar proof, just filling the gap between the old 'Reichseagle' proof and the new Weimar-era proofs.

Ron, with this limited information, I would bet it is a Simpson rework, police gun.

Is there any significant difference between a Simpson rework, as opposed to an Erfurt or DWM? Are they harder to find or rarer in any form? Or just another rework?

Thanks! Ron

According to Costanzo, pg 93 items 77 & 78 I think what you have here is an incomplete stamping of
E/WaA4 which is a DWM military/police proof. It is found on Lugers dated 1920 and 1921. DWM continued to stamp the 1921 chamber date to fool the Versailles Control Commission. There are two eagle styles, one with bowed wing tops and the other is more pointed. This stamping is commonly found on the barel top.

Hi Ron,

Here is a scan of the Eagle/AYA4 Howard mentioned in his 1st. reply...this scan is from John Walter's book, "The Luger Book" on page 98.

Read paragraph "a"...

It is hard to tell from your photo what the shape of the eagle really is...looks like some of the stamping was lost during the refinish work...

Hope this is of some help...

<a href="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/ronsmithsproof001_large.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/ronsmithsproof001_large.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a>

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Ron, these are reworks of DWM and Erfurts..everything looks correct and NICE! would say not rarer...just period correct.

Pete, From what I can make out. It appears to be the AYA4 stamp. The oval of the eagles breast and the rounded tops of the wings match.Thanks to each of you!


Appreciate the Assist.

Ron