1917 Proofs

[Edward Tinker]

FAQ
11. What does the Crown over RC stamp mean?

Crown over N is the commercial indicator. No date on chamber does too. Most DWM militaries had the date on the chamber after 1910. The C/RC can be found almost anywhere on the pistols. I've seen it on the left side of the barrel in the rear, above the first inspection mark on the right side of the receiver, on the toggles and on the front of the frame. I'm sure I've seen it in other locations as well but don't recall exactly where. IMO, the C/RC is found on the part that failed to pass inspection first time around but was found to function properly in spite of whatever was wrong and was acceptable to the Revisions Commission.
The Crown/RC stamp is found on 1911 to 1918 dated Erfurts. The earlier the Erfurt the less frequently the C/RC stamp is observed. The most frequent location is the right receiver, followed by the barrel and frame. It has also been observed on side plates, and toggle links (based on observation of the photographs in Imperial Lugers). I agree that the pistol is a 1914 Commercial, and is a fairly hard variety to find. It is much rarer than the 1920's era commercials. It would not be unusual for the pistol to have been used in the military. The magazine should have a serial # if military, blank if commercial and Germany if imported to an English speaking country.

I like the above examples better and will change this - essentially the RC stamp means that it did not meet standards and it had to be approved by a senior inspector

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

FAQ
11. What does the Crown over RC stamp mean?

Crown over N is the commercial indicator. No date on chamber does too. Most DWM militaries had the date on the chamber after 1910. The C/RC can be found almost anywhere on the pistols. I've seen it on the left side of the barrel in the rear, above the first inspection mark on the right side of the receiver, on the toggles and on the front of the frame. I'm sure I've seen it in other locations as well but don't recall exactly where. IMO, the C/RC is found on the part that failed to pass inspection first time around but was found to function properly in spite of whatever was wrong and was acceptable to the Revisions Commission.
The Crown/RC stamp is found on 1911 to 1918 dated Erfurts. The earlier the Erfurt the less frequently the C/RC stamp is observed. The most frequent location is the right receiver, followed by the barrel and frame. It has also been observed on side plates, and toggle links (based on observation of the photographs in Imperial Lugers). I agree that the pistol is a 1914 Commercial, and is a fairly hard variety to find. It is much rarer than the 1920's era commercials. It would not be unusual for the pistol to have been used in the military. The magazine should have a serial # if military, blank if commercial and Germany if imported to an English speaking country.

I like the above examples better and will change this - essentially the RC stamp means that it did not meet standards and it had to be approved by a senior inspector

The crown RC mark was also applied when the pistol was returned for improvements. I.e. the inclusion of the holdopen in the earlier models, and the modification of the sear bar to the improved design.

[kurusu]

This might be usefull.
http://luger.gunboards.com/archive/i...hp/t-8129.html

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by kurusu

This might be usefull.
http://luger.gunboards.com/archive/i...hp/t-8129.html

Yes, Thanks! Many of the examples/links are no longer valid, but the discussion was informative.

I will try to match up my three inspectors initials with the charts from Jan's site, just for S&G.

It also prompted me to recall Ed Tinker's compilation of serial number suffixes on the main site here. The buttons don't work but the links are still there, as noted in -

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=34813

[sheepherder]

There's a LOT of Gothic and Fraktur fonts out there!!!

My best guess, going on this Fraktur font, is -

B P O

The crown on the second stamp is partly missing, so I'm assuming that part of the P is missing also...

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

There's a LOT of Gothic and Fraktur fonts out there!!!

My best guess, going on this Fraktur font, is -

B P O

The crown on the second stamp is partly missing, so I'm assuming that part of the Pis missing also...

You noticed, of course, that that combination isn't listed.

I wonder why the Germans gave themselves the trouble of inventing codes when they used an alphabet that no one but they can read.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by kurusu

You noticed, of course, that that combination isn't listed.

It's my best guess.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by kurusu

This might be usefull.
http://luger.gunboards.com/archive/i...hp/t-8129.html

I especially liked Jan's points...Same as yours above, but expanded a bit...

The inspection stamps were applied in the following sequence:

1. Receiver hardened, the date was stamped into the receiver top at the same time.
2. Pistol ready for testing, the complete serial number was applied at the same time.
3. The test proof eagle was applied forward of the inspection stamps. This indicated that the pistol had fired two overloaded test cartridges without damage.
4. Pistol accepted after test firing; this indicated that the pistol had passed its post firing inspection. The barrel land diameter was added to the bottom of the barrel. This inspection stamp was applied to the left of the test proof eagle.

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by kurusu

The crown RC mark was also applied when the pistol was returned for improvements. I.e. the inclusion of the holdopen in the earlier models, and the modification of the sear bar to the improved design.

I am sorry, I have never heard of an RC marking on modifications - I have seen where it is crown marked

The thread you shared talks about acceptance stamps

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

I am sorry, I have never heard of an RC marking on modifications - I have seen where it is crown marked

The thread you shared talks about acceptance stamps

This is not just a crown, I think

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by kurusu

This is not just a crown, I think
Attachment 56622

No, not just a crown, but a crown over a letter, tough to call on these small ones, C/G or C/C or C/some other letter; but they are all Crown over something- as is typical of the small Erfurt acceptance.

I'm sure that is what Ed meant, C/something, not RC/Crown/something.