Two GNR Lugers

[A.Mifsin]

Originally posted by Mauser720
Another interesting thing about a force matched gun is that often there is no attempt made to hide the original numbers on a force matched part. By this, I mean that the original number will simply have a chisel mark across it, and the new number will be stamped somewhere near the old number. In a case like this, it is obvious that there was nothing to hide. In other words, this was probably done at a government arsenal, or as a field expedient repair.

However, in the two pictures which Pete has provided, you can see several things: (1) The old numbers (if there ever were any) have been obliterated; (2) The new numbers show a degree of "slopiness" that would have never been tolerated on an originally numbered part; and, (3) Unless you knew what you were looking at, you would think these parts were originally numbered to these particular guns.

So why would anyone do this?

Answer: To claim the guns are all matching and thereby increase their value when they are sold.

Mauser720 - Ron

Which is the old number and which is the old number?
How can you tell which is which?
Alf