Unusual Barrel Markings

Papaorca · 06-06-2014, 12:56 AM

I just bought, today, a byf Luger. I understand the markings on the underside of the barrel except for a line that reads, "C.A.I. ST. ALB. VT." all in upper case lettering. Does anyone on this forum know what this line means?

I purchased the gun as a shooter, as the trigger plate was defaced due to non-matching numbers.

RoyalTermite · 06-06-2014, 01:05 AM

That is the import stamp. Century International Arms or Century Arms.

DavidJayUden · 06-06-2014, 08:14 AM

I assume that St. Alb. is the town in Vermont.
Lots of times it will also say 9mm somewhere close nearby.
Defaced sideplate may indicate a Russian captured gun, maybe not. "x"ed out?
dju

sheepherder · 06-06-2014, 09:56 AM

Pictures go a long way to answering questions & providing information.

Papaorca · 06-06-2014, 06:10 PM

Thank you RoyalTermite for the info re - import stamp. I've never heard of this importer before now.
DavidJayUden - an "x" through the number would have shown some class. In this case, it appears that either a nail or a center punch was used to make the number unreadable. They failed, however, to deal with the number on the internal surface of the plate. To compound the lie they used an engraving tool to put a "matching number" above the obliterated numbers! Very sloppy! Engraving tools do not work well on hardened steel!
"LUGER P08 9MM GERMANY" is centered on the serial number, running along the barrel lengthwise. Below that is the importer's mark.

Sheepherder - yes, pictures do indeed answer many questions. I just don't have the ability to provide any that would have addressed this issue. Maybe in the future. (I prefer to buy guns more than cameras!

)

I appreciate all of you responding to my query. I will attempt to shoot this piece tomorrow to see how it works. From the condition of the feed ramp and other friction points I don't think it has been fired much, but the barrel was not properly cleaned so there is evidence of pitting. I will let y'all know how it shoots.

Edward Tinker · 06-06-2014, 06:53 PM

The East German or Russian imports with the electro penciled numbers is correct.

The importer marking is very common for these...

DavidJayUden · 06-06-2014, 06:57 PM

Regardless of how it was defaced, these make good shooters, and we will await your range report.
dju

Papaorca · 06-07-2014, 10:12 PM

Range Report - I fired the pistol today. The first thing of note is that it actually works! I had some reason to doubt that it would, but those doubts are now GONE! The magazine does not work with the full load (7x) but does fine with only 6 rounds.

I can't believe how fast that action is! You cannot see it work, all you can do is chase the brass after ejection.

As for accuracy, it kept a magazine full in the head of a silhouette target at 20 meters. I have more accurate pistols, but this is a functioning German Luger, not that many of those around any more. Now all I need to do is find a nice artillery model . . . . . . . .

rhuff · 06-08-2014, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papaorca

Now all I need to do is find a nice artillery model . . . . . . . .

And so the addiction begins!!!! Welcome to the "sickness"....enjoy

Papaorca · 06-08-2014, 10:20 PM

Thank you, rhuff. The addiction has always been there (at since I was 10 years old or so) it has just been a matter of opportunity and resources at the same place at the same time.

Jim Mac · 06-09-2014, 09:15 PM

Just a note on century international, if you start collecting military surplus such as mosin nagants, carcano's enfields turkish mausers etc youll see them as the importers. The wasr ak47 FAL's etc gave them a bad reputation for bad fit and finish. Ive got mausers, ak's a retro AR15, M1 garand all with century stamps on them and they all shoot fine. Jim

Papaorca · 06-11-2014, 02:01 AM

Jim Mac - Thank you for that bit of information. Most of my acquisitions are commercial items, not military. For that reason I guess I have not been aware of Century International.

06-06-2014, 12:56 AM	#1
Papaorca User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Unusual Barrel Markings I just bought, today, a byf Luger. I understand the markings on the underside of the barrel except for a line that reads, "C.A.I. ST. ALB. VT." all in upper case lettering. Does anyone on this forum know what this line means? I purchased the gun as a shooter, as the trigger plate was defaced due to non-matching numbers.

06-06-2014, 01:05 AM	#2
RoyalTermite User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Kennett Square. PA Posts: 63 Thanks: 39 Thanked 56 Times in 19 Posts	That is the import stamp. Century International Arms or Century Arms. Last edited by RoyalTermite; 06-06-2014 at 09:00 AM.

06-06-2014, 09:56 AM	#4
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Pictures go a long way to answering questions & providing information. __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

06-06-2014, 06:53 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	The East German or Russian imports with the electro penciled numbers is correct. The importer marking is very common for these... __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

06-06-2014, 08:14 AM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I assume that St. Alb. is the town in Vermont. Lots of times it will also say 9mm somewhere close nearby. Defaced sideplate may indicate a Russian captured gun, maybe not. "x"ed out? dju

06-06-2014, 06:10 PM	#5
Papaorca User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you RoyalTermite for the info re - import stamp. I've never heard of this importer before now. DavidJayUden - an "x" through the number would have shown some class. In this case, it appears that either a nail or a center punch was used to make the number unreadable. They failed, however, to deal with the number on the internal surface of the plate. To compound the lie they used an engraving tool to put a "matching number" above the obliterated numbers! Very sloppy! Engraving tools do not work well on hardened steel! "LUGER P08 9MM GERMANY" is centered on the serial number, running along the barrel lengthwise. Below that is the importer's mark. Sheepherder - yes, pictures do indeed answer many questions. I just don't have the ability to provide any that would have addressed this issue. Maybe in the future. (I prefer to buy guns more than cameras! ) I appreciate all of you responding to my query. I will attempt to shoot this piece tomorrow to see how it works. From the condition of the feed ramp and other friction points I don't think it has been fired much, but the barrel was not properly cleaned so there is evidence of pitting. I will let y'all know how it shoots.

06-06-2014, 06:57 PM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Regardless of how it was defaced, these make good shooters, and we will await your range report. dju

06-07-2014, 10:12 PM	#8
Papaorca User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Range Report - I fired the pistol today. The first thing of note is that it actually works! I had some reason to doubt that it would, but those doubts are now GONE! The magazine does not work with the full load (7x) but does fine with only 6 rounds. I can't believe how fast that action is! You cannot see it work, all you can do is chase the brass after ejection. As for accuracy, it kept a magazine full in the head of a silhouette target at 20 meters. I have more accurate pistols, but this is a functioning German Luger, not that many of those around any more. Now all I need to do is find a nice artillery model . . . . . . . .

06-08-2014, 10:20 PM	#10
Papaorca User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you, rhuff. The addiction has always been there (at since I was 10 years old or so) it has just been a matter of opportunity and resources at the same place at the same time.

06-09-2014, 09:15 PM	#11
Jim Mac User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 261 Thanks: 2 Thanked 67 Times in 35 Posts	Just a note on century international, if you start collecting military surplus such as mosin nagants, carcano's enfields turkish mausers etc youll see them as the importers. The wasr ak47 FAL's etc gave them a bad reputation for bad fit and finish. Ive got mausers, ak's a retro AR15, M1 garand all with century stamps on them and they all shoot fine. Jim

06-11-2014, 02:01 AM	#12
Papaorca User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jim Mac - Thank you for that bit of information. Most of my acquisitions are commercial items, not military. For that reason I guess I have not been aware of Century International.