Early DWM Grips...?

Pete Ebbink · 02-13-2004, 12:56 AM

Had a chance to see a 1902 Fat Barrel and had it pointed out to me that the inside surfaces of the wooden grip plates were stamped with an " * " symbol...

Is this common ? Proper ?

Regards,

Pete...

Imperial Arms · 02-13-2004, 01:55 AM

Hello Pete,

I have seen a few commercial pistols (M1902 models and carbines) stamped with a '*' inside the original grips with and without the serial numbers. The blades/petals of the star are actually slightly oval in shape. I have no explantion for the mark/proof or its use at DWM, but it is my opinion that it is acceptable. If I was to take a wild guess, it might be some type of sorting code during the production of the grips for certain markets.

Cheers,
Albert

Lugerdoc · 02-13-2004, 11:36 AM

Pete, I once purchased a set of DWM original M1900/06 unused grips marked inside only with the asterisk. It's my WAG, that these were sold commerically as new factory spares. TH

G.T. · 02-13-2004, 12:06 PM

Hi Thomas! Should the early commercial grips of this type usually be numbered to the gun?? til..lat'r...GT

Dwight Gruber · 02-13-2004, 12:33 PM

GT,

My Test Eagle grips are numbered.

--Dwight

Lugerdoc · 02-14-2004, 12:03 PM

GT, Any M1900 grips installed by DWM will be numbered to the pistol with the last 2 digits of the serial. If installed after the original production they will probably be unnumbered, unless some restorer did it. TH

Pete Ebbink · 02-14-2004, 12:41 PM

The 1902 FB did have its grips numbered...

Just wondered about the "*" thing.

Yes, Albert each "pedal" of the "*" did look like a tear-drop shape...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Jim W · 02-26-2004, 04:38 PM

I have inspected two 1902 fat barrel guns, both of which were absolutely original. Both have both grips marked with the asterisk. I expect to see the asterisk on the grips or suspect that the grips are NOT original if other than the asterisks are present.

John Sabato · 02-26-2004, 04:57 PM

sounds like there is enough experience here that varies to need an authoritative published source to "speak" on this matter. Anyone know of a printed reference to this question?

Dwight Gruber · 02-27-2004, 03:58 AM

This marking does not appear in Costanzo in his section on grips, and I wasn't able to find anything regarding grip marking in Walters's "Luger Book".

I have seen this marking on some grips myself, recently (on one of my own guns, I think), but can't remember which one.

--Dwight

02-13-2004, 12:56 AM	#1
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Early DWM Grips...? Had a chance to see a 1902 Fat Barrel and had it pointed out to me that the inside surfaces of the wooden grip plates were stamped with an " * " symbol... Is this common ? Proper ? Regards, Pete...

02-13-2004, 11:36 AM	#3
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Pete, I once purchased a set of DWM original M1900/06 unused grips marked inside only with the asterisk. It's my WAG, that these were sold commerically as new factory spares. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-14-2004, 12:03 PM	#6
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	GT, Any M1900 grips installed by DWM will be numbered to the pistol with the last 2 digits of the serial. If installed after the original production they will probably be unnumbered, unless some restorer did it. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-26-2004, 04:57 PM	#9
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	sounds like there is enough experience here that varies to need an authoritative published source to "speak" on this matter. Anyone know of a printed reference to this question? __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-13-2004, 01:55 AM	#2
Imperial Arms Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Malta, EU Posts: 579 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Hello Pete, I have seen a few commercial pistols (M1902 models and carbines) stamped with a '*' inside the original grips with and without the serial numbers. The blades/petals of the star are actually slightly oval in shape. I have no explantion for the mark/proof or its use at DWM, but it is my opinion that it is acceptable. If I was to take a wild guess, it might be some type of sorting code during the production of the grips for certain markets. Cheers, Albert

02-13-2004, 12:06 PM	#4
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,507 Thanks: 1,318 Thanked 3,653 Times in 1,004 Posts	Hi Thomas! Should the early commercial grips of this type usually be numbered to the gun?? til..lat'r...GT

02-13-2004, 12:33 PM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,317 Times in 431 Posts	GT, My Test Eagle grips are numbered. --Dwight

02-14-2004, 12:41 PM	#7
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	The 1902 FB did have its grips numbered... Just wondered about the "" thing. Yes, Albert each "pedal" of the "" did look like a tear-drop shape... Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

02-26-2004, 04:38 PM	#8
Jim W User Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have inspected two 1902 fat barrel guns, both of which were absolutely original. Both have both grips marked with the asterisk. I expect to see the asterisk on the grips or suspect that the grips are NOT original if other than the asterisks are present.

02-27-2004, 03:58 AM	#10
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,317 Times in 431 Posts	This marking does not appear in Costanzo in his section on grips, and I wasn't able to find anything regarding grip marking in Walters's "Luger Book". I have seen this marking on some grips myself, recently (on one of my own guns, I think), but can't remember which one. --Dwight