Really a 1920 DWM?

[Don M]

This one has me puzzled: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=560381707

It's advertised as a 1920 DWM and the date on the chamber appears to be factory stamped. However, it has C/N proofs and no military acceptance stamps on the right side of the receiver. The sn is 767 with no suffix. Any good ideas?

I'm curious about this one because its Polizeischule Münster inventory number is only 33 away from that of the gun that got me started on my obsession with police markings.

[John Sabato]

I don't have a clue about commercial guns, but since we are talking the year 1920, and it is post-WW1, and post-Versailles Treaty, didn't DWM use stockpiled military surplus parts in the production of commercial guns until they were gone? That would explain the Navy breechblock, and seems like it would make sense to me... But I can't explain a 5" barrel on an issued "police" gun...that is serial numbered to the gun. If it were a cut down Navy barrel there wouldn't be enough steel to create the muzzle band and front sight base, and wouldn't it have a Crown M instead of a Crown N? Just a strange piece. I noticed that the toggle axle pin also appears to be the larger NAVY size...

[Don M]

John, I am leaning toward Dwight Gruber's opinion on Still's forum that it began as a new- construction 1920 DWM but was later severely messed with. I suspect it was issued to and marked by the Muenster police school. Many of th P08s from this school ended up in the military. Sometime later it had its original inspection and proof marks removed and various parts replaced. I think!!!