Bob,
Simson was sanctioned by the Allied Commission--actually, had the exclusive contract--to manufacture 9mm 4" barrel Lugers for the Weimar Army.
DWM/BKIW was allowed to manufacture "civilian" pistols, barrels shorter than 4" and smaller than 9mm. Many of these guns are found rebarrelled in standard length 9mm for Police use, a technical violation of the Commission's regulations.
WAG follows.
It is an interesting open question as to whether these DWM Lugers were sold as .30 caliber guns and rebarrelled at Police armories, or rebarrelled at DWM after being sold to Police departments as "civilian" guns thus satisfying the requirement to not manufacture "military spec" guns.
Simson producing DWM guns as you consider is extraordinarily speculative.
A conservative turn of mind would think that the mark is not a Simson proof, as it does not look like any accepted Simson Eagle and does not surmount the 6 inspector's identity. Police conversions are found with the standard c/N nitro proof (suggesting factory rebarrelling). Without documentation, this mark joins the ranks of unexplained mystery markings.
--Dwight
|