[mrerick]

Hi Fred, and welcome to the forum.

Your 1917 DWM pistol s/n 1981f looks like it's probably all matching, and in it's original finish.

Even with the pitting damage on the trigger plate, it is a collectable pistol, so you should avoid anything that could break a number matching part (like shooting it), and not attempt to do things that could damage the finish or the grips.

You also have a very collectable 1913 pre WW-I holster.

Don't store your pistol in the holster. The tanning chemicals can, over time, cause the kind of pitting you see on the trigger plate.

It would be a good idea to clean the pistol. If you're unfamiliar with how to disassemble it, check the resources on this site. If you remove the trips, use an exactly properly sized screwdriver tip to avoid galling the screw slots, and then be very careful about removing the grips. The left grip can very easily be broken near the safety lever if you lift it too far off of the frame.

This site has a participant that is an absolute master at restoring magazines. Don't attempt to dis-assemble your magazine. It takes the special jigs G.T. has put together and his experience to do the job right. It can repair your magazine and make it like new.

After your pistol has been detail stripped and cleaned, keep it lightly oiled with a preserving gun oil like Rem Oil, Kroil or something similar.

Don't try and clean or soften the holster. Jerry Burney on this board is the expert on holsters. Check by posting questions before you do anything that can't be reversed.

Congratulations on a family heirloom that is also valuable both in the sense of the history it represents and financially.

Marc