British Capture, Yea or Nay?

[Sky Zero]

Sorry, I feel like I'm spamming the site with my posts but I know you guys have the knowledge I don't. Anyway, this gentleman from the other site is selling this 1918 dwm British Capture and is asking $1500, matching magazine. I'm not familiar with the Brit values and whether or not this looks original? I see an awful lot of markings on the barrel and an extra stamp on the breacjnlock. what do you guys think? legit? price good?

thank you!

[DavidJayUden]

To me all the scribbling under the barrel are the equivalent of our import markings. I have always held that this is how the Brits kept unemployment low, by giving everyone a stamp and having them put their marks on guns that came into the UK.
Also the "980" on the left side of the upper looks a bit odd.
I guess I'll sum it up that if I had my choice of this gun OR and identical 1918 DWM without all the UK proofhouse marks, I'd take the one not so decorated.
dju

[gunnertwo]

Guns with Brit proofs are interesting history. My observation is they are valued less that those without English test proofs. I agree with the opinion of DavidJayUden.

G2

[Vlim]

Interarms had a large warehouse in Manchester. A lot of guns that passed through Manchester were UK proofed.

I have a Vickers that was proofed twice and, the humanity, got the 'not english make' marking the second time

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

Also the "980" on the left side of the upper looks a bit odd.

Looking at that area, it does look suspicious at a glance. It looks like a ding on the lower left part of the 8, Check out the mark on the frame, to the right of the side plate... It looks very much the same, although oriented a little differently. In this pic, also, the ding is visible in the loop of the 8, which would mean that it was created after the digit was stamped, not the other way around--with the digit over something else. Finally, the classic wearing of the finish caused by the motion of the upper past the trigger lever and side plate is what you'd expect on these numbers, or, more accurately, the metal displaced by their application.

The markings on the right side of the frame look OK in the pic, although I can't recall having seen one like the first in line on the left. I have not looked it up yet...but maybe that's your job! My 1917/1920 reworked former Arty also has 5 (including the "flaming squirrel").

Nasty looking collection of graffiti on the bbl., for sure, but part and parcel of the variation, for the most part, so if you want a British capture for the collection, the price seems reasonable to me.

[wlyon]

The British proofs are the same to me as the importers stamps. They have to detract from the value. They were never there originally. If it is reasonable enough and one can live with all this mess on the barrel fine. I have owned a couple but sold them . Bill

[DonVoigt]

It's "legit"; you just have to decide if you want one that traveled through and got English proofed.

Price is about what you could find one without the extra proofing for.

[Edward Tinker]

Although no pictures, the FAQ - which i hope you downloaded or printed, has a complete section on british markings

AND you realize that many members here are member there "on the other forum" - but not always

never hurts to ask, however, the FAQ is very helpful

[Sky Zero]

thanks, guys! I appreciate everyone's input. I don't specifically crave one but I didn't know if if was a deal too good to pass up. I have 3 copies of the high resolution FAQ, but that sometimes can be open to interpretation of the meaning of what's written...sometimes....like the crouching squirrel thing that threw me off

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

It's "legit"; you just have to decide if you want one that traveled through and got English proofed.

Price is about what you could find one without the extra proofing for.

+1

I agree with Don. The British proofs make a cool conversational piece but not worth paying anything extra for...(All else being equal)...

[Mac Cat]

I love it !
I think you'll have fun figuring it out.

[BYF44]

Pretty cool Luger, did you buy it?

[Sky Zero]

Originally Posted by BYF44

Pretty cool Luger, did you buy it?

I did not. I think I'm looking for an s/42, or an early imperial luger. I have a 1918 dwm but I was on the edge of whether or not I wanted a british captured one. I'm sure it's still for sale though, if anyone else is interested.