Ok...I told myself I wasn't going to beat this dead horse anymore....however the following comment made me come and post again....
"I would take that "major Luger dealer's" comment with a VERY large grain of salt."
The Dealer that I spoke to was Don Simpson of Simpsons Ltd...and he does all the Appraisals on all the Lugers that come in ....and has done so for a number of years......therefore...I have to say he knows of what he speaks ......and he did say that over the years it was not uncommon for approximately 1 out of 20 1918 DWMs not to be proofed........so...bottom line.......Im totally satisfied with my 1918....shoots great...and if only it were possible to find the history behind a particular Luger..(I know its Not) this one would have a long story to tell....Ive never seen grips with the wear this one has....particularly the groove on the right side that has been worn down by trigger finger use....you just have to wonder how one pistol could have been used so much......anyway......theres my $0.02 worth regarding the 1918 DWMs.....tomorrow...Im getting in a 1941 BYF that I purchased from Simpsons....however I don't think I will be posting about it.......Thanks again...Hans Fischer
