[mrerick]

Hi Paul,

Regarding the side plate, it is correct for a "G" date side plate to not have numbers stamped inside the plate. This one is most likely matching.

Norm's pictures accurately show a range of halos on early rust blued Mauser barrels. Again, the lightened rust blued finish is a result of the metal stress caused when the numbers were stamped. Check with a magnifying glass in indirect sunlight. If there is no sign of this stress, the finish was applied after the numbers were stamped (which is not how it was done at the factory).

It's speculation, but I think that the high grade of steel used in the Mauser Lugers (as compared to the DWM an Erfurt Lugers) contributed to the halos being more difficult to see.

So.... considering everything seen to this point, I still lean toward a skilled restoration or partial restoration.

Marc