Serial # Sizes on 1916-17 Navy Lugers
 

Looking at two Navy Lugers, a 1917 and a 1916, it is clear that the size of the numbers in the serial number markings differ in size. The size of the numbers on the 1916 seem to be ahout half the size of those on the 1917.

I talked to two other owners of 1916 Navy Lugers and found that one of the owners actually had the reverse situation: The numbers on the 1916 were much larger than those on the 1917.

This suggests that perhaps there was no standard for die sizes used on these guns.

Any theories?

Thanks,
Luke