1916 DWM

[Dwight Gruber]

Ron,

I found references to the Abnahmstempel mit Krone--Inspector's crowned stamp--in both Walter's "The Luger Book" (1986, p.124)and G�¶rtz & Bryans "German Small Arms Markings" (1997, pp.117-118).

Walter notes that all letters were used, with a surprisingly large proportion of the letter X; some letters appear with a bar beneath. He theorizes the X may be a substitute letter, or meant to distinguish between inspectors with same first initial. The bar may indicate the junior of two inspectors with same surname.

G�¶rtz & Bryans, translating from 1913 Inspection and Acceptance instructions, indicate that stamping was to be done by dies allotted to their respective officials [inspectors?]. Zinc sheet were kept with an impression of the Official's stamp, his name, and the date he started work at the arsenal. When he retired or was transferred, his stamp was to be returned and "signed in" on the zinc sheet.

This could account for the "recycling" you mention.

Every official was personally responsible for all examinations marked with his personal stamp. Inspectors acting under the an Official's supervision stamped parts with that official's stamp. It does appear that under this circumstance your conclusion has a basis in fact. That and, as you noted, there are no surviving documents to tie specific Inspectors to specific stamps.

I'm certain I read somewhere that the X was used by an inspector junior to one who had a surname with the same first initial, and that it was also used by inspectors who had not yet been assigned or received their personal stamp, but I have been trying for almost three weeks to find the citation without success.

--Dwight