Scrubbed proofs

Dwight Gruber · 06-19-2002, 09:14 PM

Lots of Lugers, it seems, have their proof marks scrubbed off. The practice does not seem to be consistent; my byf 41 Black Widow has scrubbed WaffenAmps, at least on the receiver and breechblock--they missed the barrel; the S/42 G date I used to have was a Russian Dip with all the proofs scrubbed; my S/42 1936 has all proofs present (it is probably a vet bringback).

My question is, who scrubbed proof marks off of Lugers, and why? I have made a couple of guesses in the past, but I wonder if anyone has an authoritative answer?

And, what does the presence or scrubbed-ness of proofs tell us, if anything, about who might have re-worked a particular Luger, when, or where?

--Dwight

Roadkill · 06-19-2002, 09:49 PM

Any country on the receiving end of the NSDAP attention would want all traces of that era obliterated. The arms were some of the best in the world at the time, many countries either gained independence or became communist using surplus German firearms. They were shipped all over the world at junk metal prices, given to any country by the communists with ammo and spare parts for the asking, and are still around today.
I know they were used in the 48 & 67 Israeli wars, markings were definitely removed there, used by everyone everywhere in Indochina, (French & Communist)all over central Europe,ect. These countries would want no reminder of the previous owners, especially Russia.Also these weapons were taken and refinished with use intent in mind, not to be collected. A bring back probably would have all marks intact. A reworked gun will be altered.

RK

06-19-2002, 09:14 PM	#1
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Scrubbed proofs Lots of Lugers, it seems, have their proof marks scrubbed off. The practice does not seem to be consistent; my byf 41 Black Widow has scrubbed WaffenAmps, at least on the receiver and breechblock--they missed the barrel; the S/42 G date I used to have was a Russian Dip with all the proofs scrubbed; my S/42 1936 has all proofs present (it is probably a vet bringback). My question is, who scrubbed proof marks off of Lugers, and why? I have made a couple of guesses in the past, but I wonder if anyone has an authoritative answer? And, what does the presence or scrubbed-ness of proofs tell us, if anything, about who might have re-worked a particular Luger, when, or where? --Dwight

06-19-2002, 09:49 PM	#2
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Any country on the receiving end of the NSDAP attention would want all traces of that era obliterated. The arms were some of the best in the world at the time, many countries either gained independence or became communist using surplus German firearms. They were shipped all over the world at junk metal prices, given to any country by the communists with ammo and spare parts for the asking, and are still around today. I know they were used in the 48 & 67 Israeli wars, markings were definitely removed there, used by everyone everywhere in Indochina, (French & Communist)all over central Europe,ect. These countries would want no reminder of the previous owners, especially Russia.Also these weapons were taken and refinished with use intent in mind, not to be collected. A bring back probably would have all marks intact. A reworked gun will be altered. RK