[09cs]

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

It is not the crown/n that is the puzzle, they are quite correct and common.

It is the larger crown, alone- stamped on the frame and the lower curve of the barrel. These two crowns appear to have been stamped after finish as they show bare metal in the stamping- at least they do in these pictures. These are the Puzzle.

Better close ups of those crowns, posted on the server here, would be a help to see them more clearly.

The ones circled in red correct?

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

That "something" would be prosecution by the BATFE for owning an unregistered Short-Barreled Rifle" (SBR), risking a ten year prison sentence and/or hefty fine. The Gun Control Act of 1968 was interpreted erroneously by some, and stock lugs were ground off to avoid running afoul of the law. It is actually OK to own a Luger with a stock lug. What is illegal is to own both a Luger NOT originally destined to have one, and a shoulder stock--which is taken as evidence of "constructive intent."

Lugers originally accompanied with a shoulder stock when purchased or issued, including the Navy, Artillery, and Carbine models, can be used with a stock--but only the proper style of original or reproduction stock they would have had when new, e.g Navy gun with Navy stock, Carbine with carbine stock, etc. These are exempted in a list maintained by the BATFE.



Around 1906, production of the "New Model" Parabellum was phased in. A New Model's grip frame is about 0.10" shorter than an Old Model frame. This change in dimension takes place in the area of the chamber of the receiver. One can notice the difference in a glance at the curve on the front, bottom of the grip frame under the barrel, through which the takedown lever is installed. An Old Model will have symmetrical dimensions ahead of and below the hole for the take-down lever. A New Model has an obviously shorter dimension in front of the lever.

Marc's question concerns possible "proudness" or protrusion of the face of the barrel extension beyond the face of the grip frame. This happens when a mix-master is created by assembling a longer, Old Model receiver atop the shorter, New Model grip frame, a situation where that tenth of an inch really shows up! Yours looks OK to me, though.

Thanks for the great post!