DWM Krieghoff

John D. · 07-29-2003, 08:24 PM

Well - DWM/HK Commercials aren't my "thing" - but let me do sort of a "core" dump of what I think I may know about the (broadly categorized) "1920" HK Commercials - and see if it helps.

These are referred to as Commercials, rather then HK reworks (a different subject). Gibson, I believe (I don't have his book at the office) speculates that most - if not all of the "i" block was resold by HK. I also believe he records 40-50 "1921" commercials, so I would think the estimate of "100" by Aarron may be significantly low, as I wouldn't think that Gibson recorded 50% of the total production.? I've seen "estimates" at between 5,000 and 10,000 total, but I can't substiantiate either number. Given that DWM mfg'ed in blocks of 10,000 (well - except for 5 diget "1923" commercials - but let's not quibble. Heh..)- some speculate that the entire "i" block went to HK, as I believe most, if not all verified examples are within the "i" block.

As well - some note that the differences in the C/N proofing designate whether it actually "passed" through the HK factory or not. I'm not certain I subscribe to that theory, as the consistiency in backframe stamps that appear seem to be done by the same ill-sighted employee with a bad die-set/stamping jig (well - I can't account for it otherwise

) See more C/N detail in next paragraph....

Proofs were either traditional DWM C/N (vertical - left side) or horizontal C/N (a smaller HK struck - consistient with HK "P1", "P2" series commercials/presentations) that would appear on both the Left rec. and frame. I also believe that a very few have been reported with LWaA2 marks, but I personally have no first hand experience. Also - I don't think the application of the C/N can form the basis for any conclusive evidence that the "Commercial" was either part of the HK allotment of not - again, given the consistiency of the back-frame die stamps.

Chamber dates can be present or not - as is a mix of calibers 9 and 7.65 (with the requisite barrel length). As well, since these were designated a commercial export - you are correct that "Germany" is properly stamped on the right side - and the mags that I have seen are also stamped "Germany" - rather then the with military style number/diget/suffix.

HTH..!

07-29-2003, 08:24 PM	#2
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 477 Thanked 515 Times in 128 Posts	Well - DWM/HK Commercials aren't my "thing" - but let me do sort of a "core" dump of what I think I may know about the (broadly categorized) "1920" HK Commercials - and see if it helps. These are referred to as Commercials, rather then HK reworks (a different subject). Gibson, I believe (I don't have his book at the office) speculates that most - if not all of the "i" block was resold by HK. I also believe he records 40-50 "1921" commercials, so I would think the estimate of "100" by Aarron may be significantly low, as I wouldn't think that Gibson recorded 50% of the total production.? I've seen "estimates" at between 5,000 and 10,000 total, but I can't substiantiate either number. Given that DWM mfg'ed in blocks of 10,000 (well - except for 5 diget "1923" commercials - but let's not quibble. Heh..)- some speculate that the entire "i" block went to HK, as I believe most, if not all verified examples are within the "i" block. As well - some note that the differences in the C/N proofing designate whether it actually "passed" through the HK factory or not. I'm not certain I subscribe to that theory, as the consistiency in backframe stamps that appear seem to be done by the same ill-sighted employee with a bad die-set/stamping jig (well - I can't account for it otherwise ) See more C/N detail in next paragraph.... Proofs were either traditional DWM C/N (vertical - left side) or horizontal C/N (a smaller HK struck - consistient with HK "P1", "P2" series commercials/presentations) that would appear on both the Left rec. and frame. I also believe that a very few have been reported with LWaA2 marks, but I personally have no first hand experience. Also - I don't think the application of the C/N can form the basis for any conclusive evidence that the "Commercial" was either part of the HK allotment of not - again, given the consistiency of the back-frame die stamps. Chamber dates can be present or not - as is a mix of calibers 9 and 7.65 (with the requisite barrel length). As well, since these were designated a commercial export - you are correct that "Germany" is properly stamped on the right side - and the mags that I have seen are also stamped "Germany" - rather then the with military style number/diget/suffix. HTH..!