New guy with a new (to me) 1916 DWM

[alanint]

Originally Posted by ClayC

So you think someone put something on the grips at one time?

as for the marks on the barrel, I dont really think its an inventory number. Thats the serial number "399", and someone hit the 3 with something (grinder?) at some point unless your talking about something else?

There is no question there was some sort of decorative overlay on the grips at some point. Note that the pattern of holes is almost identical on both sides, indicating that the same design was mirrored on both grips. As for the barrel marks, I thought what looked like a scratch next to the serial number on the barrel was a set of numbers or someone's initial, which were carved into the metal with an electric pencil, then later partially scratched out, but upon a second look, it looks like somebody carelessly tried to remove rust by scratching the metal. A true no-no.