Concerning this side plate study, I did not realize that I was plowing ground that had already been worked. As mentioned in this topic on Jan Still's forum and then confirmed by Charles Whittaker via Jerry Burney (Charles is a "lurker" on the Jan Still forum and a super source of information ) this difference in side plates is already quite well covered in Görtz & Sturgess "The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols". According to that source, the change occurred around commercial serial number 10050 and Swiss second military contract (serial number 2001 and above). That pretty firmly locks in the transition to ~1903. End of pondering...thanks to all that participated.
Significant note:
John, your AE #10052 falls right at the range in G&S and pushes the transition a bit higher than their 10050! Thank you!
Ron
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If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction
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