Safe to shoot a reworked (erased serials) Imperial DWM?

Raulus · 09-19-2014, 03:02 PM

Hello,
I have an Imperial DWM who was refurbished in the 1920 era and by that I mean that:
- the year on the reciver is completly gone (along with almost 0.5mm from the reciver)
- the markings on the barrel are barely visible
- the proof marks from the right side are allmost gone
- the DWM sigla from the troggle lock also look polished
Except that, everything looks verry nice.
I allready fired 5 shots (115 grains) and the gun worked perfect.
Should I be worried or try my luck and continue fireing?
Thank you

John Sabato · 09-19-2014, 03:51 PM

Just looks refinished to me... no sweat if you have already fired it and experienced no problems. Remember no HOT loads. NO +P. No NATO rounds... Enjoy.

Don M · 09-19-2014, 04:00 PM

Your subject line says "erased serials." If there is no serial number on the gun, isn't it illegal?

Raulus · 09-19-2014, 04:09 PM

Yes, my mistake, the serials are visible, the proof marks are allmost gone.
Don't worry, the pistol is registerd... And I live in Europe where the laws are extremly restrictive even for collectors.

Raulus · 09-19-2014, 04:32 PM

I was concerned that grinding off half a mm or more from the top reciever (to erase the year) would affect the strenght of the entire structure and in time lead to cracks or worse.

Ron Smith · 09-19-2014, 05:02 PM

I should be safe to shoot. I wouldn't hesitate shooting it with standard factory loads. It would take much more metal removed to make it unsafe.

Raulus · 09-21-2014, 02:55 AM

Thank you for your fast responses.
I shot it more than 100 times since than and everything went just fine!

Sergio Natali · 09-21-2014, 08:34 AM

First ave it checked by a serious armurer, then always avoid modern heavy loads.

Safe shooting.

spacecoast · 09-29-2014, 06:51 AM

Quote:

then always avoid modern heavy loads

My understanding is that "modern" factory loads (at least those in the US) are somewhat lighter than those loaded in the mid-20th century.

Edward Tinker · 09-29-2014, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don M

Your subject line says "erased serials." If there is no serial number on the gun, isn't it illegal?

he doesn't live in the USA

Raulus · 09-29-2014, 04:45 PM

Heavy loads means +P and +P+

Sergio Natali · 09-30-2014, 12:35 PM

One century old Lugers should never be fired with modern high speed and high power ammunition because in the meantime they might have become structurally unsound.

Shoot safe.

Sergio

09-19-2014, 03:02 PM	#1
Raulus User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Safe to shoot a reworked (erased serials) Imperial DWM? Hello, I have an Imperial DWM who was refurbished in the 1920 era and by that I mean that: - the year on the reciver is completly gone (along with almost 0.5mm from the reciver) - the markings on the barrel are barely visible - the proof marks from the right side are allmost gone - the DWM sigla from the troggle lock also look polished Except that, everything looks verry nice. I allready fired 5 shots (115 grains) and the gun worked perfect. Should I be worried or try my luck and continue fireing? Thank you Attached Thumbnails

09-19-2014, 03:51 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,152 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Just looks refinished to me... no sweat if you have already fired it and experienced no problems. Remember no HOT loads. NO +P. No NATO rounds... Enjoy. __________________ 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..."*

09-19-2014, 04:00 PM	#3
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Your subject line says "erased serials." If there is no serial number on the gun, isn't it illegal? __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

09-19-2014, 04:09 PM	#4
Raulus User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yes, my mistake, the serials are visible, the proof marks are allmost gone. Don't worry, the pistol is registerd... And I live in Europe where the laws are extremly restrictive even for collectors. Attached Thumbnails

09-19-2014, 04:32 PM	#5
Raulus User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I was concerned that grinding off half a mm or more from the top reciever (to erase the year) would affect the strenght of the entire structure and in time lead to cracks or worse. Attached Thumbnails

09-19-2014, 05:02 PM	#6
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I should be safe to shoot. I wouldn't hesitate shooting it with standard factory loads. It would take much more metal removed to make it unsafe. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

09-21-2014, 02:55 AM	#7
Raulus User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thank you for your fast responses. I shot it more than 100 times since than and everything went just fine!

09-21-2014, 08:34 AM	#8
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	First ave it checked by a serious armurer, then always avoid modern heavy loads. Safe shooting. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

09-29-2014, 04:45 PM	#11
Raulus User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Heavy loads means +P and +P+

09-30-2014, 12:35 PM	#12
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	One century old Lugers should never be fired with modern high speed and high power ammunition because in the meantime they might have become structurally unsound. Shoot safe. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.