History of Police Safety Sear Installation

jags · 04-14-2012, 10:53 PM

I just got back from my FFL where I had a chance to really examine the barrel proofs. Because it has been buffed and reblued it is really hard to make out the proofs. I did get some more photos and, using photos of one of Don's Lugers, I have put together a comparitve analysis below.

Left Side Barrel Proofs:

Here we see a comparison. The top proof does look like it could be an E/36. The middle proof could be the top of the wings of the larger Eagle but what's below it is questionable.

Right Side Barrel Proof:

In this comparison you can definately see the faint traces of a proof there. It is in the correct location. It is possible that it is a PTV/E.

I did not get a photo of it but also stamped inside the frame but not on the lug is this same "oval N" as shown in Don's photo below. What was this proof?

I also want to note that, although the barrel/receiver has been reblued, the front of the barrel is worn to a very shinny metal. As if the tip of the barrel had been rubbing it's nose inside a holster for some time. Another mystery as if the barrel/receiver had been recently reblued as part of a restoration project, why would the barrel front be worn as if it had lived in a holster for a long time?

It's unfortunate that the barrel/reciever has been buffed and reblued which has caused the proofs to be so unreadable. I do believe that there is enough evidence to at least give some possibility that the barrel/reciever is a 1929 rework. We see that the barrel has been stamped with matching numbers to the reciever, the receiver is dated 1917 and has the "sight notch" of previously being a LP08, and it has been fitted with a safety sear. This along with the proofs that are there does point it to possibly being a 1929 rework.

I hope this additional info can help to get us a little closer to the truth.

Thanks again!

04-14-2012, 10:53 PM	#36
jags User Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 32 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I just got back from my FFL where I had a chance to really examine the barrel proofs. Because it has been buffed and reblued it is really hard to make out the proofs. I did get some more photos and, using photos of one of Don's Lugers, I have put together a comparitve analysis below. Left Side Barrel Proofs: Here we see a comparison. The top proof does look like it could be an E/36. The middle proof could be the top of the wings of the larger Eagle but what's below it is questionable. Right Side Barrel Proof: In this comparison you can definately see the faint traces of a proof there. It is in the correct location. It is possible that it is a PTV/E. I did not get a photo of it but also stamped inside the frame but not on the lug is this same "oval N" as shown in Don's photo below. What was this proof? I also want to note that, although the barrel/receiver has been reblued, the front of the barrel is worn to a very shinny metal. As if the tip of the barrel had been rubbing it's nose inside a holster for some time. Another mystery as if the barrel/receiver had been recently reblued as part of a restoration project, why would the barrel front be worn as if it had lived in a holster for a long time? It's unfortunate that the barrel/reciever has been buffed and reblued which has caused the proofs to be so unreadable. I do believe that there is enough evidence to at least give some possibility that the barrel/reciever is a 1929 rework. We see that the barrel has been stamped with matching numbers to the reciever, the receiver is dated 1917 and has the "sight notch" of previously being a LP08, and it has been fitted with a safety sear. This along with the proofs that are there does point it to possibly being a 1929 rework. I hope this additional info can help to get us a little closer to the truth. Thanks again!