1916 DWM question

norcal13 · 04-14-2023, 07:47 PM

Is there any way to tell from the markings who or when the barrel was replaced?
The bluing has a browner tint than the rest of the pistol so i surmise it isn't original.

ithacaartist · 04-15-2023, 05:27 PM

Unless someone can decipher the collection of over-strikes in the pic, I think the short answer is no...although the marks may help indicate what it is not. The back end of the barrel's flange looks weird in the pic, as well. If the barrel proves sufficiently accurate--as the majority of them do, whether original or made by others--I wouldn't sweat it since it's a shooter. Mostly matching is nice, but doesn't affect its value much.

Bill_in_VA · 04-15-2023, 06:11 PM

Yep. It has been refinished and is sporting repro grips.

Kiwi · 04-16-2023, 11:29 AM

Reminds me of my Great grandfather's axe
Handle been replaced 4 times
Head replaced twice

But other than that it is all original

mrerick · 04-18-2023, 11:04 AM

It's a sign of an amateur gunsmith when you see the marks of a vise on the frame ears like the pattern you see on your Luger...

Most of the internal die marks are DWM worker inspection marks. The external ones were added by someone that did it for unknown reasons. I can't make any sense of them.

If it shoots accurately and cycles reliably - so be it! The rest is a mystery.

spangy · 04-24-2023, 02:31 AM

to the forum norcal13 .Thanks for the pics.

You are right the barrel is not original to the gun IMO.
The barrel is a bit odd and it also lacks a witness mark.
As long as the bore is decent, it shoot OK and the price was fair I think you have a good shooter.
All Luger's should be Loved and enjoyed and your Luger is no exception.

04-14-2023, 07:47 PM	#1
norcal13 New User Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	1916 DWM question Is there any way to tell from the markings who or when the barrel was replaced? The bluing has a browner tint than the rest of the pistol so i surmise it isn't original. Attached Thumbnails

04-15-2023, 05:27 PM	#2
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,348 Thanks: 7,303 Thanked 2,579 Times in 1,366 Posts	Unless someone can decipher the collection of over-strikes in the pic, I think the short answer is no...although the marks may help indicate what it is not. The back end of the barrel's flange looks weird in the pic, as well. If the barrel proves sufficiently accurate--as the majority of them do, whether original or made by others--I wouldn't sweat it since it's a shooter. Mostly matching is nice, but doesn't affect its value much. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

04-15-2023, 06:11 PM	#3
Bill_in_VA User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 374 Thanks: 780 Thanked 556 Times in 199 Posts	Yep. It has been refinished and is sporting repro grips. __________________ John 8:32 reive (riːv) vb (Military) (intr) dialect Scot and Northern English to go on a plundering raid [variant of reave] ˈreiver n e.g., " Some view the Border Reivers as loveable rogues."

04-18-2023, 11:04 AM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	It's a sign of an amateur gunsmith when you see the marks of a vise on the frame ears like the pattern you see on your Luger... Most of the internal die marks are DWM worker inspection marks. The external ones were added by someone that did it for unknown reasons. I can't make any sense of them. If it shoots accurately and cycles reliably - so be it! The rest is a mystery. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

04-24-2023, 02:31 AM	#6
spangy Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 617 Thanks: 3,065 Thanked 1,057 Times in 429 Posts	to the forum norcal13 .Thanks for the pics. You are right the barrel is not original to the gun IMO. The barrel is a bit odd and it also lacks a witness mark. As long as the bore is decent, it shoot OK and the price was fair I think you have a good shooter. All Luger's should be Loved and enjoyed and your Luger is no exception. __________________ Whoever said that "money can't buy you happiness" never bought a Luger. WTB - Take Down Lever & Trigger Plate (#90) for an Imperial Artillery.

04-16-2023, 11:29 AM	#4
Kiwi User Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Wrong side of the Delaware river Posts: 311 Thanks: 220 Thanked 443 Times in 176 Posts	Reminds me of my Great grandfather's axe Handle been replaced 4 times Head replaced twice But other than that it is all original