Hello Tom,
In regards to the toggle checkering for the 1903 (French) Commercial and the 1904 Navy Lugers, it should be square shaped unlike the later 1906 Navy Lugers which are diamond shaped. I remember your 1904 Navy Luger serial #136 having the correct checkering as well as the two-piece toggle lock when I examined it one and a half years ago.
Also bear in mind the small extractor lobes which Pete mentioned in a previous post which was a good observation.
I would like to mention that the style of proof marks on your Luger pistol is of the late type as compared to 1904 Navy Lugers below serial number 100(?). Those 1904 Navy Lugers below serial #100 will usually have the early crown M proof marks which will have the 'old-fashioned' crown with three elongated 'lobes', and 'ears' on the side.
I am sorry I cannot provide an image of this specific proof, but there was an article about it in The Gun Report some months ago written by Charles Kenyon. Maybe Ron would like to make some comments about these different proof marks on the 1904 Navy Luger and their application by Navy Arsenals. Although you might know this already, the Crown M proof mark on the barrel is on the side, whereas on the 1906 Military models it is under the barrel.
Another little detail which might interest some readers to determine if a 1904 Navy 'fat' barrel is correct or incorrect is to identify the very thin 'ring' in the chamber just before the 'step'. This little ring which was applied by DWM on all Navy Luger barrels during production cannot be reproduced inside the chamber, not even by the best machinist. I did observe this ring in your 1904 Navy Luger #136 which is a big positive plus.
I hope this information is of help.
Cheers,
Albert
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