Looking for Info on 1914 DWM Unit Markings

Glenn · 11-07-2001, 04:31 PM

Hey There,

I was wondering if someone could give me any insight into my 1914 DWM, Serial Number: 1490 Suffix: a

In particular, on the underside of the barrel above the serial number is engraved "B6 3 1". I was wondering if this means the weapon was issued to the 6th Bavarian Regiment (I'm not sure is Unit Markings necessarily have to have periods between the numbers or not). Below the serial number on the underside of the barrel is engraved "8,82"

Additionally, the proof marks look like "XGE5" in Gothic writing, although the "G" could be another letter inside of a circle.

I'd appreciate any insight anyone could give me from this information. Thanks.

Hugh · 11-07-2001, 06:14 PM

Glenn,

I believe that if you will look closer, you will find that the barrel marking is "Bo31".Bo is the mark put on barrels made with steel supplied by the Austrian steel making firm of Bohler. They supplied steel to DWM shortly before WWI, some of which was used to make barrels. The "31" indicates the surface hardness of the metal.

Glenn · 11-07-2001, 07:25 PM

Thanks Hugh - You're right...it is an "o" after all - I don't know if it was pitting or an "Ã?Â¶" (Is it BÃ?Â¶hler?) that threw me off. Do you have any information on the proofmarks? I've seen a few examples before, but I've never one that ended in a number like mine does.

Joe · 11-07-2001, 10:57 PM

As mentioned above by Hugh the BO stands for the Bohler Steel Co. This material was used on only a few Lugers manufactured between 1913 and 1916. It is NOT a unit marking, those would be found on the grip, most often on the front. The BO mark is supposed to add a little "value" to the Luger

Hugh · 11-07-2001, 11:01 PM

Glenn,

What is the location of the mark? Is there any way you can post a picture or scan of it?

Marvin · 11-08-2001, 08:20 AM

Hugh,

The "31" you indicate as the surface hardness brought up a question. Do you have any idea what scale the DWM would have used? It sounds like a Rockwell "C" scale number since the steel would be approx. in the "25" range before heat treatment and after heat treat the "31" would sound approriate. It would be interesting to know what type scale they used.

Marvin

Hugh · 11-08-2001, 09:14 AM

Marvin, the info I have is from "The Luger Book", by John Walter. He states: "The numbers are believed to represent the surface hardness rather than a delivery-lot number, as they do not appear to run in any identifiable sequence and match the Rockwell hardness figures given by Randall Gibson in "The Krieghoff Parabellum", p28."

Marvin · 11-08-2001, 01:07 PM

Hugh,

Thanks for the info! It does seem that the number "31" for hardness would be the Rockwell "C" scale because it fits into the hardness of what I think it should be. I know the US used the "C" scale, but I thought Europe used one of the other types of hardness testers like the Brinell tester.

Of course, if you look at the hardness mark on some Lugers and most P.38s, the little impression left by the diamond point can be seen. On some WWI and post WWI Lugers you can see where the hardenss "ball" was used to test. I guess they probably had several differnt type machines in their large shops too.

Marvin

11-07-2001, 04:31 PM	#1
Glenn New User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Looking for Info on 1914 DWM Unit Markings Hey There, I was wondering if someone could give me any insight into my 1914 DWM, Serial Number: 1490 Suffix: a In particular, on the underside of the barrel above the serial number is engraved "B6 3 1". I was wondering if this means the weapon was issued to the 6th Bavarian Regiment (I'm not sure is Unit Markings necessarily have to have periods between the numbers or not). Below the serial number on the underside of the barrel is engraved "8,82" Additionally, the proof marks look like "XGE5" in Gothic writing, although the "G" could be another letter inside of a circle. I'd appreciate any insight anyone could give me from this information. Thanks.

11-07-2001, 06:14 PM	#2
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Looking for Info on 1914 DWM Unit Markings Glenn, I believe that if you will look closer, you will find that the barrel marking is "Bo31".Bo is the mark put on barrels made with steel supplied by the Austrian steel making firm of Bohler. They supplied steel to DWM shortly before WWI, some of which was used to make barrels. The "31" indicates the surface hardness of the metal.

11-07-2001, 07:25 PM	#3
Glenn New User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Looking for Info on 1914 DWM Unit Markings Thanks Hugh - You're right...it is an "o" after all - I don't know if it was pitting or an "Ã?Â¶" (Is it BÃ?Â¶hler?) that threw me off. Do you have any information on the proofmarks? I've seen a few examples before, but I've never one that ended in a number like mine does.

11-07-2001, 10:57 PM	#4
Joe User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 96 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Looking for Info on 1914 DWM Unit Markings As mentioned above by Hugh the BO stands for the Bohler Steel Co. This material was used on only a few Lugers manufactured between 1913 and 1916. It is NOT a unit marking, those would be found on the grip, most often on the front. The BO mark is supposed to add a little "value" to the Luger

11-07-2001, 11:01 PM	#5
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Looking for Info on 1914 DWM Unit Markings Glenn, What is the location of the mark? Is there any way you can post a picture or scan of it?

11-08-2001, 08:20 AM	#6
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Barrel Stamp Question Hugh, The "31" you indicate as the surface hardness brought up a question. Do you have any idea what scale the DWM would have used? It sounds like a Rockwell "C" scale number since the steel would be approx. in the "25" range before heat treatment and after heat treat the "31" would sound approriate. It would be interesting to know what type scale they used. Marvin

11-08-2001, 09:14 AM	#7
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Barrel Stamp Question Marvin, the info I have is from "The Luger Book", by John Walter. He states: "The numbers are believed to represent the surface hardness rather than a delivery-lot number, as they do not appear to run in any identifiable sequence and match the Rockwell hardness figures given by Randall Gibson in "The Krieghoff Parabellum", p28."

11-08-2001, 01:07 PM	#8
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Barrel Stamp Question Hugh, Thanks for the info! It does seem that the number "31" for hardness would be the Rockwell "C" scale because it fits into the hardness of what I think it should be. I know the US used the "C" scale, but I thought Europe used one of the other types of hardness testers like the Brinell tester. Of course, if you look at the hardness mark on some Lugers and most P.38s, the little impression left by the diamond point can be seen. On some WWI and post WWI Lugers you can see where the hardenss "ball" was used to test. I guess they probably had several differnt type machines in their large shops too. Marvin