Unit Marking Methods - Technical Question

Luke · 12-17-2001, 09:22 AM

I have a 1910 DWM which has unit markings on the front grip strap, very precisely impressed.

The Luger does not show any signs of having been reblued, EXCEPT that the unit impressions are clean and appear to be blued all the way to the bottom of the letter/number impressions.

A member of the forum has proposed that these markings were probably treated in some manner by the unit armorers who made the impressions. He comments that he has several Lugers with unit markings, all of which are clean and show no signs of rust in the bottoms of the impressions.

It seems logical that the armorers would have treated the unit marking impressions in some way to prevent rust in the newly exposed metal, assuming that they had such a process.

Anyone here have any knowledge of this process?

Thanks for your help.

Luke

tom · 12-17-2001, 10:12 AM

There was no "standard" way of applying or "Protecting" unit markings. They were applied by the unit armorer and/or blacksmith, often at an additional charge to the unit commander as this was not a part of the "prescribed duties" for either the armorer or 'smith.

There is one way to determine if the markings have been reblued...the marks should have a slight discoloration-graying normally-that is proximate to their margins. This is the result of the application of the markings disrupting the surface *surrounding* the marks, which, inturn, affects the bluing. This is sometimes referred to as the "Halo" effect.

As a good rule of thumb, if the halo effect is not present, the piece has probably been reblued or touched up at some point.

Hope this helps,

Tom

12-17-2001, 12:15 PM

Sounds like a great gun!!!! Just the type this collector LOVES! Enjoy it with pride! Good purchase!

Tim Canney

Luke · 12-17-2001, 12:42 PM

On close inspection of the numbers on the gun, I find none of the "halo" effect on the serial numbers; but the unit markings have a clear "halo" effect around them, just as you describe it.

The only thing that bothers me is that the Unit Markings also have a good, consistent blue surface all the way to the very bottom of the impression, even the periods. I am hoping that this blue surface on the bottoms of the impressions is due to some kind of after-manufacturing treatment applied by the armorer who stamped the unit numbers/letters.

Forgot to mention that this gun had a Hold Open installed in some rework operation. This is clear, as it has the pin showing on the right side and a small acceptance stamp below it. This small acceptance stamp also appears to have been blued over. Curiously, the pin itself was not blued.

Luke

Johnny Peppers · 12-17-2001, 01:18 PM

Your findings are consistent with other pistols that have had markings applied over the original finish. The die strike simply moves the blued metal down into the stamping. This is consistent with pistols that are both blued and phosphate. The stamping will normally show a burnished look due to the smooth finish of the die used.

12-17-2001, 09:22 AM	#1
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Unit Marking Methods - Technical Question I have a 1910 DWM which has unit markings on the front grip strap, very precisely impressed. The Luger does not show any signs of having been reblued, EXCEPT that the unit impressions are clean and appear to be blued all the way to the bottom of the letter/number impressions. A member of the forum has proposed that these markings were probably treated in some manner by the unit armorers who made the impressions. He comments that he has several Lugers with unit markings, all of which are clean and show no signs of rust in the bottoms of the impressions. It seems logical that the armorers would have treated the unit marking impressions in some way to prevent rust in the newly exposed metal, assuming that they had such a process. Anyone here have any knowledge of this process? Thanks for your help. Luke

12-17-2001, 10:12 AM	#2
tom User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 269 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Unit Marking Methods - Technical Question There was no "standard" way of applying or "Protecting" unit markings. They were applied by the unit armorer and/or blacksmith, often at an additional charge to the unit commander as this was not a part of the "prescribed duties" for either the armorer or 'smith. There is one way to determine if the markings have been reblued...the marks should have a slight discoloration-graying normally-that is proximate to their margins. This is the result of the application of the markings disrupting the surface surrounding the marks, which, inturn, affects the bluing. This is sometimes referred to as the "Halo" effect. As a good rule of thumb, if the halo effect is not present, the piece has probably been reblued or touched up at some point. Hope this helps, Tom

12-17-2001, 12:15 PM	#3
TIMOTHY CANNEY Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Unit Marking Methods - Technical Question Sounds like a great gun!!!! Just the type this collector LOVES! Enjoy it with pride! Good purchase! Tim Canney

12-17-2001, 12:42 PM	#4
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Interesting Comment, Tom. I found the halo ! ! On close inspection of the numbers on the gun, I find none of the "halo" effect on the serial numbers; but the unit markings have a clear "halo" effect around them, just as you describe it. The only thing that bothers me is that the Unit Markings also have a good, consistent blue surface all the way to the very bottom of the impression, even the periods. I am hoping that this blue surface on the bottoms of the impressions is due to some kind of after-manufacturing treatment applied by the armorer who stamped the unit numbers/letters. Forgot to mention that this gun had a Hold Open installed in some rework operation. This is clear, as it has the pin showing on the right side and a small acceptance stamp below it. This small acceptance stamp also appears to have been blued over. Curiously, the pin itself was not blued. Luke

12-17-2001, 01:18 PM	#5
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Interesting Comment, Tom. I found the halo ! ! Your findings are consistent with other pistols that have had markings applied over the original finish. The die strike simply moves the blued metal down into the stamping. This is consistent with pistols that are both blued and phosphate. The stamping will normally show a burnished look due to the smooth finish of the die used.