LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Question about sideplate numbering convention

mrerick · 09-01-2016, 10:07 AM

To my knowledge, the only manufacturer to do this was Mauser. They did it inconsistently. Some side plates have the first one or two digits of the serial number. Others more commonly have the first one or two digits plus one. Some have no number inside. For example, my sn 715g gun has "8" stamped inside the sideplate.

The stamp I have seen inside DWM side plates is the worker mark as Tom mentioned above. If your find serial number related digits in a plate on a DWM it's likely a Mauser made plate.

The interior numbering must have been plant process workflow related in some way. It would allow separation of more than 100 plates from their fitted pistols for salt bluing in larger batches, which must have been more efficient during high production volumes. My Mauser Lugers with plates that are not numbered inside were made during periods of lower production volume.

09-01-2016, 10:07 AM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	To my knowledge, the only manufacturer to do this was Mauser. They did it inconsistently. Some side plates have the first one or two digits of the serial number. Others more commonly have the first one or two digits plus one. Some have no number inside. For example, my sn 715g gun has "8" stamped inside the sideplate. The stamp I have seen inside DWM side plates is the worker mark as Tom mentioned above. If your find serial number related digits in a plate on a DWM it's likely a Mauser made plate. The interior numbering must have been plant process workflow related in some way. It would allow separation of more than 100 plates from their fitted pistols for salt bluing in larger batches, which must have been more efficient during high production volumes. My Mauser Lugers with plates that are not numbered inside were made during periods of lower production volume. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.