Authenticating Imperial Navy Pistols

Dwight Gruber · 08-23-2003, 02:12 AM

Tom,

Thank you very much for a most educational and eye-opening, erudite and systematic primer. It should be obvious that this is a useful method for examination of -any- Luger, with some specific nods to details specific to Navy Lugers. Your willingness to share these methods and the trouble you have taken in their explanation is exemplary.

In response to your request for additional information, I would add one characteristic pointed out to me recently, that is the step in the chamber of (at least) DWM Lugers.

The 9mm Parabellum cartridge case is not straight sided, rather, it tapers slightly from base to mouth. Blueprints show that the Luger chamber is bored in two cylindrical steps, one slightly larger than the other. This leaves a visible "ring" in the chamber when viewed from the breech. Modern-made barrels' chambers are bored in a single stroke, thus the step is missing and there is no ring visible.

--Dwight

08-23-2003, 02:12 AM	#21
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Tom, Thank you very much for a most educational and eye-opening, erudite and systematic primer. It should be obvious that this is a useful method for examination of -any- Luger, with some specific nods to details specific to Navy Lugers. Your willingness to share these methods and the trouble you have taken in their explanation is exemplary. In response to your request for additional information, I would add one characteristic pointed out to me recently, that is the step in the chamber of (at least) DWM Lugers. The 9mm Parabellum cartridge case is not straight sided, rather, it tapers slightly from base to mouth. Blueprints show that the Luger chamber is bored in two cylindrical steps, one slightly larger than the other. This leaves a visible "ring" in the chamber when viewed from the breech. Modern-made barrels' chambers are bored in a single stroke, thus the step is missing and there is no ring visible. --Dwight