1915 DWM P-08 proofs?

waltherguy · 06-25-2006, 07:56 PM

Hello All,

New to the forum, and first and foremost.. glad to be here! Recently picked up a 1915 DWM. Numbers are all matching (except mag), but unfortunately she has seen better days. Some pitting on sides, and bore is a bit dark.

My first question is, am I miss-reading something, or are the proofs out of order? Every pic/book I could find, I have not seen this? If this is a common thing, please forgive my noobness! Any info would be fantastic!

Second question, Since this gun is about 60-65%, should I consider having it professionally restored, or leave it alone? Thanks in advance for the advice..

Regards,
WG

Dwight Gruber · 06-26-2006, 01:39 AM

WG,

Proofs look in order to me, what about them suggests to you that they are out of order?

--Dwight

waltherguy · 06-26-2006, 02:22 AM

Hi Dwight,

Thanks for the post.. I guess what made me scratch my head was the order the proofs are stamped... Every wartime DWM I've personally seen has (u) then the 2 (s) crown proofs? Maybe this is common so if it is, please forgive my ignorance.. #15 shows the order I'm refering too..

Dwight Gruber · 06-26-2006, 03:42 AM

WG,

Seems to be a problem with the photo, try uploading a copy to the Forum (see the "upload photo" link at the top right of the page)--it will then reside on the Forum server and stay available for about a year.

Really curious to see what you are talking abut.

--Dwight

Ron Wood · 06-26-2006, 04:29 AM

WG
Those "proofs" are inspector's marks. #15 is just one of many combinations of Crown/letter marks that are possible to find on Imperial era military Lugers. Costanzo in his "World of Lugers" proof mark book shows six different combinations for 1915 (yours is one of them) and he probably didn't catalog them all. There are literally hundreds of different combinations of inspectors marks from 1908 to 1920.

Lugerdoc · 06-26-2006, 08:18 AM

WG, I agree that your proofing is OK for the period: 3 Imperial (the crown) inspector's (their letter designation) proofs aft of the DWM test fire eagle. TH

waltherguy · 06-26-2006, 10:36 AM

Thanks for the responses all! Makes since now.. (just found a pic of another with inspector marks in the same order as mine). This Luger is my 3rd, and now I've totally got the Luger bug! Again, thanks for the info. Look forward to participating in the forum.

WG

Aaron · 06-26-2006, 01:35 PM

Don't bother with the restoration, as the cost of a truly professional job added to the cost of the pistol would probably result in a total value amounting to less than you have invested. As for a Bubba reblue, don't even think about it. Enjoy what you have or trade up to something better.

waltherguy · 06-27-2006, 12:27 AM

Thanks Aaron, ya I thought long and hard, and don't think it would be worth restoring (guessing I would loose most of the markings due to the pitting). And yes, i would NEVER consider a "Bubba" re-blue! Saw a Walther "HP" at the show this past weekend that had been Bubba blued and my heart sank.. Anyway, thanks for the advice all.

06-26-2006, 02:22 AM	#3
waltherguy User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: FL Posts: 201 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Dwight, Thanks for the post.. I guess what made me scratch my head was the order the proofs are stamped... Every wartime DWM I've personally seen has (u) then the 2 (s) crown proofs? Maybe this is common so if it is, please forgive my ignorance.. #15 shows the order I'm refering too.. __________________ "In a man to man fight the winner is the one who puts an extra round in his magazine" -Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

06-26-2006, 04:29 AM	#5
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,989 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	WG Those "proofs" are inspector's marks. #15 is just one of many combinations of Crown/letter marks that are possible to find on Imperial era military Lugers. Costanzo in his "World of Lugers" proof mark book shows six different combinations for 1915 (yours is one of them) and he probably didn't catalog them all. There are literally hundreds of different combinations of inspectors marks from 1908 to 1920. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

06-26-2006, 08:18 AM	#6
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	WG, I agree that your proofing is OK for the period: 3 Imperial (the crown) inspector's (their letter designation) proofs aft of the DWM test fire eagle. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

06-26-2006, 10:36 AM	#7
waltherguy User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: FL Posts: 201 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the responses all! Makes since now.. (just found a pic of another with inspector marks in the same order as mine). This Luger is my 3rd, and now I've totally got the Luger bug! Again, thanks for the info. Look forward to participating in the forum. WG __________________ "In a man to man fight the winner is the one who puts an extra round in his magazine" -Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

06-27-2006, 12:27 AM	#9
waltherguy User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: FL Posts: 201 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Aaron, ya I thought long and hard, and don't think it would be worth restoring (guessing I would loose most of the markings due to the pitting). And yes, i would NEVER consider a "Bubba" re-blue! Saw a Walther "HP" at the show this past weekend that had been Bubba blued and my heart sank.. Anyway, thanks for the advice all. __________________ "In a man to man fight the winner is the one who puts an extra round in his magazine" -Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

06-25-2006, 07:56 PM	#1
waltherguy User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: FL Posts: 201 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1915 DWM P-08 proofs? Hello All, New to the forum, and first and foremost.. glad to be here! Recently picked up a 1915 DWM. Numbers are all matching (except mag), but unfortunately she has seen better days. Some pitting on sides, and bore is a bit dark. My first question is, am I miss-reading something, or are the proofs out of order? Every pic/book I could find, I have not seen this? If this is a common thing, please forgive my noobness! Any info would be fantastic! Second question, Since this gun is about 60-65%, should I consider having it professionally restored, or leave it alone? Thanks in advance for the advice.. Regards, WG __________________ "In a man to man fight the winner is the one who puts an extra round in his magazine" -Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

06-26-2006, 01:39 AM	#2
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	WG, Proofs look in order to me, what about them suggests to you that they are out of order? --Dwight

06-26-2006, 03:42 AM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	WG, Seems to be a problem with the photo, try uploading a copy to the Forum (see the "upload photo" link at the top right of the page)--it will then reside on the Forum server and stay available for about a year. Really curious to see what you are talking abut. --Dwight

06-26-2006, 01:35 PM	#8
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Don't bother with the restoration, as the cost of a truly professional job added to the cost of the pistol would probably result in a total value amounting to less than you have invested. As for a Bubba reblue, don't even think about it. Enjoy what you have or trade up to something better.