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Dwight Gruber · 11-08-2002, 01:45 AM

Just got a 1918 Artillery out of hock (literally, it was on layaway). Its in OK shape, 80% or so blue, straw faded away, some unfortunate sight work done on it, but not bad for the price.

I've been examining it closely, and have found an amazing thing. At first look it is all matching, but...under magnification the witness mark shows that the gun has been rebarrelled. The barrel appears to be an authentic LP-08 barrel, the proof is right and the serial numbers are the right size and in the right font (as is the bore dimension stamp), the barrel shows the same general wear as the rest of the gun.

But--

The frame number is 886b, and the barrel number is 886l (this is a bad typeface for the demonstration, thats lowercase L). If you check the script samples under Technical Information to the left, you will see that the marks are identical, save for one tiny stroke--easy enugh to miss during examination at the gun case.

Makes me wonder why someone changed the barrel in the first place, and why they would go to such trouble to find another barrel with a serial number which is all but the same.

I also have a question which may find an answer out there. The trigger lever is obviously a replacement, it is in white and stamped E25+. The + is not a plain stamp, it is an outlined figure like the Swiss cross. Does this ring any bells with anybody?

--Dwight

11-08-2002, 01:45 AM	#1
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Odd Way To Boost Just got a 1918 Artillery out of hock (literally, it was on layaway). Its in OK shape, 80% or so blue, straw faded away, some unfortunate sight work done on it, but not bad for the price. I've been examining it closely, and have found an amazing thing. At first look it is all matching, but...under magnification the witness mark shows that the gun has been rebarrelled. The barrel appears to be an authentic LP-08 barrel, the proof is right and the serial numbers are the right size and in the right font (as is the bore dimension stamp), the barrel shows the same general wear as the rest of the gun. But-- The frame number is 886b, and the barrel number is 886l (this is a bad typeface for the demonstration, thats lowercase L). If you check the script samples under Technical Information to the left, you will see that the marks are identical, save for one tiny stroke--easy enugh to miss during examination at the gun case. Makes me wonder why someone changed the barrel in the first place, and why they would go to such trouble to find another barrel with a serial number which is all but the same. I also have a question which may find an answer out there. The trigger lever is obviously a replacement, it is in white and stamped E25+. The + is not a plain stamp, it is an outlined figure like the Swiss cross. Does this ring any bells with anybody? --Dwight