HELP! 1918 DWM Artillery w/o Acceptance Marks

ithacaartist · 03-08-2012, 12:31 PM

Marcus,
The photos lead me to believe this pistol has been at least refinished. As you point out, there is straw color missing. Notice also in the first 2 pics, the bbl is a different color than the frame, etc., which are a blacker blue. I think the blacker blue is more modern and may very well indicate refinishing. (Markings can be filled in by TIG welding and finished level with the original surface.) This color differential may also indicate a bbl change, but others will help with serial number range and possibly determine if your pistol started out life as an Artie. Diminished stampings may only be an artifact of prep for the refinish, but one of mine suffers the same color difference along with a bbl with diminished serial number of another font. But it is a shooter that cost $7-800.

In the example pic you first posted, notice how the markings are beginning to disappear, and that there is a well defined edge that has appeared on the side, by the front of the chamber, where it should be rounded. This effect would be avoided by the fill-and-level method of removing the marks.

I'd be happier with a price significantly below $2k for this one. Best hang in there until this discussion plays out and all the real experts have weighed in...

03-08-2012, 12:31 PM	#18
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 7,558 Thanked 2,643 Times in 1,393 Posts	Marcus, The photos lead me to believe this pistol has been at least refinished. As you point out, there is straw color missing. Notice also in the first 2 pics, the bbl is a different color than the frame, etc., which are a blacker blue. I think the blacker blue is more modern and may very well indicate refinishing. (Markings can be filled in by TIG welding and finished level with the original surface.) This color differential may also indicate a bbl change, but others will help with serial number range and possibly determine if your pistol started out life as an Artie. Diminished stampings may only be an artifact of prep for the refinish, but one of mine suffers the same color difference along with a bbl with diminished serial number of another font. But it is a shooter that cost $7-800. In the example pic you first posted, notice how the markings are beginning to disappear, and that there is a well defined edge that has appeared on the side, by the front of the chamber, where it should be rounded. This effect would be avoided by the fill-and-level method of removing the marks. I'd be happier with a price significantly below $2k for this one. Best hang in there until this discussion plays out and all the real experts have weighed in...