Defaced proof marks

JetJockey · 05-28-2009, 02:30 AM

Hello,

I'm new to this message board and I hope I can get some assistance from some of the Luger experts here.

I recently acquired my father's 1934 Luger. While familiar with many types of guns, I am quite a novice when it comes to Lugers. I know my father purchased this gun here in the USA sometime in the mid to late 1950's. My question for the experts is the following: Some of the proof marks on the gun have been intentionally defaced with what appears to be a crude "X" over them. I know the gun was this way from the time my father acquired it because I remember as a kid looking at it and wondering why this otherwise beautiful piece of engineering had such crude markings on it. Can anyone shed some light on why was this done and what it signifies? Additionally, I cannot locate a full serial number anywhere on the gun even though it has matching two digit numbers on all the major parts of the gun like other Lugers I have seen. Where should the s/n be on this gun?

Thank you very much in advance for any insight you can provide me.

Sincerely,

Ray Stallings
Granbury, TX

alanint · 05-28-2009, 07:31 AM

The "X"d out marks are typical of Russian capture and/or East German post war reissued Lugers.
I have never heard of these types of guns being available in the US as far back as the 1950's.
They were typically imported in the last 20-25 years

Edward Tinker · 05-28-2009, 09:53 AM

full serial number was required to be in two places on a military; front of the frame and left side of the receiver.... a commercial variation would only have the front frame numbers.

Look for it being ground down...

Ed

JetJockey · 05-28-2009, 04:31 PM

Here is a picture of what I am talking about. Has anyone ever seen something like this before?

Thanks again.

Ray Stallings

John Sabato · 05-28-2009, 06:09 PM

Ray, what is the number on the front of the frame above the trigger guard?
can you show me that area as well as you did the side numbers? Might the first two digits be "43" or "45" ??

John Sabato · 05-28-2009, 07:35 PM

Check your private messages please.

05-28-2009, 02:30 AM	#1
JetJockey New User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Defaced proof marks Hello, I'm new to this message board and I hope I can get some assistance from some of the Luger experts here. I recently acquired my father's 1934 Luger. While familiar with many types of guns, I am quite a novice when it comes to Lugers. I know my father purchased this gun here in the USA sometime in the mid to late 1950's. My question for the experts is the following: Some of the proof marks on the gun have been intentionally defaced with what appears to be a crude "X" over them. I know the gun was this way from the time my father acquired it because I remember as a kid looking at it and wondering why this otherwise beautiful piece of engineering had such crude markings on it. Can anyone shed some light on why was this done and what it signifies? Additionally, I cannot locate a full serial number anywhere on the gun even though it has matching two digit numbers on all the major parts of the gun like other Lugers I have seen. Where should the s/n be on this gun? Thank you very much in advance for any insight you can provide me. Sincerely, Ray Stallings Granbury, TX

05-28-2009, 04:31 PM	#4
JetJockey New User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Defaced serials and proof marks Here is a picture of what I am talking about. Has anyone ever seen something like this before? Thanks again. Ray Stallings Attached Thumbnails

05-28-2009, 06:09 PM	#5
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Ray, what is the number on the front of the frame above the trigger guard? can you show me that area as well as you did the side numbers? Might the first two digits be "43" or "45" ?? __________________ 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..."*

05-28-2009, 07:35 PM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Check your private messages please. __________________ 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..."*

05-28-2009, 07:31 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	The "X"d out marks are typical of Russian capture and/or East German post war reissued Lugers. I have never heard of these types of guns being available in the US as far back as the 1950's. They were typically imported in the last 20-25 years

05-28-2009, 09:53 AM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,962 Thanks: 2,063 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	full serial number was required to be in two places on a military; front of the frame and left side of the receiver.... a commercial variation would only have the front frame numbers. Look for it being ground down... Ed