Pb without number or stamps

Dwight Gruber · 09-24-2003, 12:53 AM

Remarkable. Not only no regular markings, but no workers markings, at least visible in the photographs.

Is the extractor stamped "Geladen", or is that blank too? Are the small parts--normally strawed--actually in the white, as they seem in the pictures?

I pulled out my copy of Gibson and compared the photos to the manufacturer comparisons which he presents. It appears to me that this gun is most like a DWM. Thor may have an informed opinion on this.

WAG ALERT--

I have to suspect that this pistol was, for whatever reason, purpose-built this way. The lack of workers' marks implies that parts were either selected very early in the manufacturing process, or specific instructions were issued not to mark the parts. A "lunch-box special" would likely be made of parts from various stages of manufacture and inspection, and logically would have at least some markings. An Armorer's special would certainly have inspectors stamps (if the parts came from Erfurt), or might be covered with S/42s (although the parts would certainly not be serial-numbered). Also, the barrel and receiver would only be available at a repair depot, and would have some markings (but not witness marks!).

A successful "Lunch Box Special" would have to include a barrel and receiver already mated together, aligned and headspaced. A DWM or a Mauser would have at least one inspection stamp on the side of the receiver, and the date at the receiver top. An Erfurt or Simson would have a small stamp on the barrel in addition.

I'm intrigued by the presence of a witness mark (naturally!). The mark appears to be two strikes, with two different instruments, not aligned. I'm not quite sure what to make of this, I'm not even confident enough to make a WAG.

--Dwight

09-24-2003, 12:53 AM	#21
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Remarkable. Not only no regular markings, but no workers markings, at least visible in the photographs. Is the extractor stamped "Geladen", or is that blank too? Are the small parts--normally strawed--actually in the white, as they seem in the pictures? I pulled out my copy of Gibson and compared the photos to the manufacturer comparisons which he presents. It appears to me that this gun is most like a DWM. Thor may have an informed opinion on this. WAG ALERT-- I have to suspect that this pistol was, for whatever reason, purpose-built this way. The lack of workers' marks implies that parts were either selected very early in the manufacturing process, or specific instructions were issued not to mark the parts. A "lunch-box special" would likely be made of parts from various stages of manufacture and inspection, and logically would have at least some markings. An Armorer's special would certainly have inspectors stamps (if the parts came from Erfurt), or might be covered with S/42s (although the parts would certainly not be serial-numbered). Also, the barrel and receiver would only be available at a repair depot, and would have some markings (but not witness marks!). A successful "Lunch Box Special" would have to include a barrel and receiver already mated together, aligned and headspaced. A DWM or a Mauser would have at least one inspection stamp on the side of the receiver, and the date at the receiver top. An Erfurt or Simson would have a small stamp on the barrel in addition. I'm intrigued by the presence of a witness mark (naturally!). The mark appears to be two strikes, with two different instruments, not aligned. I'm not quite sure what to make of this, I'm not even confident enough to make a WAG. --Dwight