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guns3545 · 03-28-2016, 10:41 AM

John,

This is one of those difficult situations where there is no substitute for having the gun in hand.

First, a word about markings.

Dates were rollmarked onto the chamber of the receiver. This process involved holding the piece firmly in a jig, and heavily rolling a die, shaped like a wheel across the surface thus impressing what was on the die into the metal. Hence rollmarking. This technique is used when the same mark must be impressed on many, many pieces; like the 100,000 or so Model P.08s Mauser would make in a year. Or the 10,000 suffixes in a block

This contrasts with proof marks and serial numbers which were stamped with a die and a hammer. Hence each piece is individually stamped.

Both hand stamping and rollmarking leave ridged edges and squarish corners. Neither removes metal; it displaces it.

Alternatively you can use a rotary cutter and a pantograph to cut metal letters and numbers into the metal. And..since the tool is a rotary tool, it leaves curved corners. And metal is actually removed, not just displaced.

Now, first the good news. The location and style of numbers on your pistol look correct. The chamber date in 1936 used slightly different fonts than 1937 and subsequent years. Later years were less squarish. This is why no red flags showed up for me the first time around.

But, and this is a big but; the numbers look deep, and with magnification of your photo, the edges look a little off. Now.. it could just be the photo. But, you should take a good look at the chamber date especially taking note, seeking rounded corners. And, a square bottom, as the rotary tool had a square bottom whereas dies are slightly tapered and the depth of the number is slightly wedged shaped.

This might indicate that the date was freshened up.

That's about it. You may wish to browse the site searching for "1936 chamber marks". Or simply 1936. There should be chamber photos on the site.

Or, alternatively, go to this site and you will see numerous examples of Lugers and their markings. Search the section entitled Mauser.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=179

Hope it helps.

John

03-28-2016, 10:41 AM	#18
guns3545 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 438 Thanks: 661 Thanked 493 Times in 219 Posts	John, This is one of those difficult situations where there is no substitute for having the gun in hand. First, a word about markings. Dates were rollmarked onto the chamber of the receiver. This process involved holding the piece firmly in a jig, and heavily rolling a die, shaped like a wheel across the surface thus impressing what was on the die into the metal. Hence rollmarking. This technique is used when the same mark must be impressed on many, many pieces; like the 100,000 or so Model P.08s Mauser would make in a year. Or the 10,000 suffixes in a block This contrasts with proof marks and serial numbers which were stamped with a die and a hammer. Hence each piece is individually stamped. Both hand stamping and rollmarking leave ridged edges and squarish corners. Neither removes metal; it displaces it. Alternatively you can use a rotary cutter and a pantograph to cut metal letters and numbers into the metal. And..since the tool is a rotary tool, it leaves curved corners. And metal is actually removed, not just displaced. Now, first the good news. The location and style of numbers on your pistol look correct. The chamber date in 1936 used slightly different fonts than 1937 and subsequent years. Later years were less squarish. This is why no red flags showed up for me the first time around. But, and this is a big but; the numbers look deep, and with magnification of your photo, the edges look a little off. Now.. it could just be the photo. But, you should take a good look at the chamber date especially taking note, seeking rounded corners. And, a square bottom, as the rotary tool had a square bottom whereas dies are slightly tapered and the depth of the number is slightly wedged shaped. This might indicate that the date was freshened up. That's about it. You may wish to browse the site searching for "1936 chamber marks". Or simply 1936. There should be chamber photos on the site. Or, alternatively, go to this site and you will see numerous examples of Lugers and their markings. Search the section entitled Mauser. http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=179 Hope it helps. John