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07-17-2011, 04:42 PM | #1 |
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1915 DWM Markings
Just joined forum. Good info.
I have refinished (maybe paint, not blued). 1915 military DWM. byf bolt assy, 2 mags are WWII vintage. Pictures are of barrel and receiver. Not sure of the 3 stamps above the s/n. Barrel has many stamps around the lug. Crown N above s/n on barrel. Military acceptance stamp is on top of barrel. My guess the 3 unknown stamps are arsenal. Import stamp is under receiver so it cannot be seen without field stripping (RTB Corp, Miami). Any idea about the stamps above s/n? |
07-17-2011, 09:16 PM | #2 |
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John,
Your Luger is a "VoPo" an East German Police Luger. The marks are DDR East German proofs. It has been dipped in a hot bath solution similar to salt blue, by the Russians after capture. Prior to being issued to East Germany. Ron
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07-18-2011, 09:40 AM | #3 |
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Thanks. I did a search for 'vopo' and reviewed several pages of results.
The crown N on the barrel means it's a likely post-WWII replacement. However the faint, original DWM military barrel stamp is on top of the barrel. Does this mean the barrel is original, with a crown N proof stamped during the DDR rebuild? Looks like the mags that came with the gun are WWII rebuilds. FXO E/37 and 122 E/37, both with bright aluminum bottoms with stamps matching s/n. Is there a safe way to remove the black dip to reclaim the original blue finish, or just leave it alone? |
07-18-2011, 11:43 AM | #4 |
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The Crown N was probably added to the barrel by the East Germans after a proof test. Hard to say, since no two VoPos have the same markings. They are found with a wide variety of proofs, force matched numbers, etc.
You can remove the dip, but it takes some skill and a lot of work. I've heard that the dip can be removed with an ultra-sonic cleaner, however there's a "trick" to doing it correctly. VoPo Lugers are becoming collectable as is, I would leave it alone. Ron
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I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said... |
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