Part 2
A closeup of the left receiver shows that this gun retains all its Imperial markings, including the barrel proof demonstrating that the gun has not been rebarrelled during rework. The side plate and takedown lever are both replacements, being numbered on their exposed surfaces in the military style (rather than hidden on the edges as would be appropriate for a First Issue). Note also the GERMANY export stamp on the frame rail. The sear bar (not pictured) is not relieved, but is stamped with the serial number on its face--an odd contradiction.
The barrel bottom and frame front bear their original markings as well, with the addition of an Eagle/6 on the barrel. There is no barrel gage, as this gun was manufactured before the 1910 marking instructions. The E/6 is haloed, indicating being stamped over the blue; the serial number and suffix are not haloed.
Simson number stamps have different characteristics from DWM numbers, this can be seen by comparing the 88 on the barrel and frame with the 88 on the takedown lever and sideplate in the previous picture. I regret that the double-numeral means that there is only the one example.
This P-08 has had a holdopen added. The exterior end of the pin can be seen, properly unblued, on the right side of the frame, along with its inspector's stamp. The much more unusual feature here is a Crown/N Commercial proof mark on the right side of the barrel -and- on the right side of the frame!
The grips are numbered to the gun, and have E/6 marks. It strikes me as unusual that the grip marks are the full Simson & Co. logo as found on the gun's toggle.
The magazine is serial numbered to the gun. The magazine base is stamped with both an E/6 and a Crown/N.
The breechblock is not original to this gun, the 88 clearly overstamps another number. It is interesting, though, that this breechblock is either a P-08 Commercial or another Military First Issue, as the number is in the same place. There is no power-proof stamp on the breechblock, only a hardness test dimple. One wonders where the part came from--another pistol? a parts bin? or...? This question will arise again before the presentation is concluded.
