Categorizing the "Lazy S" DHs
So after looking at a lot of these I think we can break these into two (possibly three) types in two (possibly three) commercial acceptance patterns. Some good examples to follow in subsequent posts.
Type 1: "The Chin". Possibly the earliest type? Not super common.
Type 2: Seems to be the most commonly encountered, and the one most seem to try to fake.
Type 3 (maybe): The one on mine. Unfortunately for me, the more I look at these skulls I am beginning to think they are a problem. Can't find many examples and those I can find are mostly suspect, at best. I think I have to declare mine suspect as a result. It's super convincing unlike most of the fakes, so I don't know.
I initially thought this was just a weird stamping angle of the Type 2. But the S on top is different. Note how the ends of the S curve inwards. The Type 2 doesn't. Also, there are a few features that are distinct. The right eye and "comma head" on the right line of the skull. It's definitely a different die in any case.
Commercial proofing patterns:
Type 1: C/N stamps on the left side of receiver and frame. Breech proofed on top. Don't know about the toggle. Barrel has a C/N and a single digit number. Seems prevalent on the Type 1 skull. Possible some may have the breech proofed on the side. I thought I had pics of a good one in this pattern, but its a suspect Type 3 skull.
Type 2: Receiver proofed on the right, frame not proofed. Breech block and toggle proofed on the right also. Barrel has the 8,8m/m marking.
I am thinking these two patterns might be two different proof houses? Maybe Type 1 is Zella-Mehlis since they have an odd single digit on the barrel? Type 2 is Suhl? I don't know, could just be a early and late thing. Most (maybe all?) of the Luftwaffe E/9 commercial rework Lugers are proofed in the Type 1 style except barrels have caliber markings where the SS don't seem to.
Bottom line: I am very confident in Skull Types 1 and 2. Basically 100%. Type 3 not so much anymore. I think any outside of these 3 are almost certainly fake with most being easy calls.
Edit: Just to clarify that last sentence only applies to Lazy S. Not the 01 Skulls or the elusive (or maybe fake) + Skull.
So after looking at a lot of these I think we can break these into two (possibly three) types in two (possibly three) commercial acceptance patterns. Some good examples to follow in subsequent posts.
Type 1: "The Chin". Possibly the earliest type? Not super common.
Type 2: Seems to be the most commonly encountered, and the one most seem to try to fake.
Type 3 (maybe): The one on mine. Unfortunately for me, the more I look at these skulls I am beginning to think they are a problem. Can't find many examples and those I can find are mostly suspect, at best. I think I have to declare mine suspect as a result. It's super convincing unlike most of the fakes, so I don't know.
I initially thought this was just a weird stamping angle of the Type 2. But the S on top is different. Note how the ends of the S curve inwards. The Type 2 doesn't. Also, there are a few features that are distinct. The right eye and "comma head" on the right line of the skull. It's definitely a different die in any case.
Commercial proofing patterns:
Type 1: C/N stamps on the left side of receiver and frame. Breech proofed on top. Don't know about the toggle. Barrel has a C/N and a single digit number. Seems prevalent on the Type 1 skull. Possible some may have the breech proofed on the side. I thought I had pics of a good one in this pattern, but its a suspect Type 3 skull.
Type 2: Receiver proofed on the right, frame not proofed. Breech block and toggle proofed on the right also. Barrel has the 8,8m/m marking.
I am thinking these two patterns might be two different proof houses? Maybe Type 1 is Zella-Mehlis since they have an odd single digit on the barrel? Type 2 is Suhl? I don't know, could just be a early and late thing. Most (maybe all?) of the Luftwaffe E/9 commercial rework Lugers are proofed in the Type 1 style except barrels have caliber markings where the SS don't seem to.
Bottom line: I am very confident in Skull Types 1 and 2. Basically 100%. Type 3 not so much anymore. I think any outside of these 3 are almost certainly fake with most being easy calls.
Edit: Just to clarify that last sentence only applies to Lazy S. Not the 01 Skulls or the elusive (or maybe fake) + Skull.
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