Quote:
Originally Posted by Edward Tinker
FAQ
11. What does the Crown over RC stamp mean?
Crown over N is the commercial indicator. No date on chamber does too. Most DWM militaries had the date on the chamber after 1910. The C/RC can be found almost anywhere on the pistols. I've seen it on the left side of the barrel in the rear, above the first inspection mark on the right side of the receiver, on the toggles and on the front of the frame. I'm sure I've seen it in other locations as well but don't recall exactly where. IMO, the C/RC is found on the part that failed to pass inspection first time around but was found to function properly in spite of whatever was wrong and was acceptable to the Revisions Commission.
The Crown/RC stamp is found on 1911 to 1918 dated Erfurts. The earlier the Erfurt the less frequently the C/RC stamp is observed. The most frequent location is the right receiver, followed by the barrel and frame. It has also been observed on side plates, and toggle links (based on observation of the photographs in Imperial Lugers). I agree that the pistol is a 1914 Commercial, and is a fairly hard variety to find. It is much rarer than the 1920's era commercials. It would not be unusual for the pistol to have been used in the military. The magazine should have a serial # if military, blank if commercial and Germany if imported to an English speaking country.
I like the above examples better and will change this - essentially the RC stamp means that it did not meet standards and it had to be approved by a senior inspector
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The crown RC mark was also applied when the pistol was returned for improvements. I.e. the inclusion of the holdopen in the earlier models, and the modification of the sear bar to the improved design.