1913 dwm

[DonVoigt]

Pictures are better, but they lack detail when enlarged to try to "see" what the upper center marking might be.
Need to take the picture with more "active" pixels- just not enough detail there.

Here is best I could do with data in the picture.

[4 Scale]

A nice photo has arrived!

[Leed709]

Grand daughter took pic with her fancy phone. I hope this is what you are looking far.

[4 Scale]

Bump - hoping someone will comment on the markings now that we finally have a good photo. Even if the comment is that the markings are unknown/mean nothing, that's helpful.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Leed709

Grand daughter took pic with her fancy phone. I hope this is what you are looking far.

Yes, it is a good picture and the correct one!

The "odd" shape looks like an "arrowhead" but may be a "barred shield". Neither fits the observed characteristics of the frame.

I don't know what the frame is, but it is not a post 1914 DWM, for two reasons, it does not have an "N" or circled "N" in the well, and it has a grip safety.
The serial number of 356a, also is an enigma- which should be a military number.

I am mystified and bumfuzzled.

[Leed709]

Found 3 more stamps on pistol. 1 in rear of lower frame and 2 real small ones on upper receiver. Will try to send pic.

[Leed709]

4 scales did you get the last 3 pic sent today?

[4 Scale]

Three more also of solid quality.

[DonVoigt]

I believe we have established that the receiver is DWM.
It is the vintage of the frame that remains unknown, these last pictures don't help.

[Leed709]

How do you determine the vintage of the frame?

[4 Scale]

A few years back I saw a similar pistol on Simpson's site. It had a DWM military barrel extension with the date over the chamber, but a Swiss .30 caliber 4.75" barrel. It was a quality rework, very nice and offered for around $1,400. I remember the pistol well because I strong considered purchasing it. I forget who I spoke to at Simpson but they said they see a few like that from time to time, which they defined as Swiss re-works of Imperial militaries that were then sold into the Swiss commercial market post WWI. I found their explanation and the pistol both fascinating and sort of regret not getting it. Given Ron's comments at post #36, absent other information to the contrary I have to wonder if this may be another example of the type.

Determining frame vintage requires real expertise. If you compare Ron's post #36 in this thread to this tutorial on frames http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...Frame-Tutorial that will enlighten on some of the characteristics to consider.