Efurt 1916 Photoshoot & Opinions wanted

[phatrick88]

This is my third Luger, but first WWI variation. Provisional 6/7 unit marked from the Weimer era and went on to see much service in WWII (Thanks, Ron) before it was brought back by a vet. Straight from a retirement community to myself. Came to me as being a 85-90%, all matching gun. So far i've found an unnumbered rear toggle pin, mag with only the last two serial #'s stamped (forced matched when it was re-issued?) and the side plate has a slightly different patina from the rest of the gun, though this seems to be not uncommon. Seems to be a nice, honest piece otherwise. Is there anyway to safely clean up the straw parts, or should I leave them be? Thought i'd share some pictures and see if you guys can pick anything out that i'm missing. Tell me what you think

[Norme]

Hi Pat, Luger side plates frequently show bluing loss. I believe that this part's heat treatment affects the way they retain bluing. As to the strawed parts, don't touch them! The black spots are a guarantee of originality. Regards, norm

[MFC]

Pat,
The unnumbered rear axle pin is correct for your Erfurt and DWM's. Mauser started numbering the pins on K dates (1934).
The grips have been recheckered.

[Ron Smith]

Norm is correct. Leave the black specks on the strawed parts. Clean , bright, unblemished strawed parts are a red flag.

Ron

[Don M]

Coincidentally, a Luger with the same provisional 6/7 marking on the left frame has been on GunBroker for some time now; however, I can't find it now.