1940 42 code luger grip variations, walnut, brown plastic, and black bakelite

[Pistol]

Originally Posted by Jan C Still

Figure 7. Underside grips, left to right, serial number 3368h walnut, 74i brown plastic, and 2237m black bakelite.
Figure 8a. Details 1940 42 code, serial number 3368h, underside wood grips.
Figure 8b. Details 1940 42 code, serial number 74i, underside brown plastic grips.
Figure 8c. Details 1940 42 code, serial number 2237m, underside black bakelite grips. There is a small half moon imperfection located on the inside of the right grip along the magazine recess. This is also present on the brown plastic grip above indicating both came from the same mold (Molchen).
Figure 9. Right side: 1940 dated 42 code Lugers showing grip variations. Top to bottom serial number 3368h walnut grips, serial number 74i brown plastic grips and serial number 2237m black bakelite grips.

I posted this over at the other fourm as well, but then found this thread that had the good large photos showing the half-moon imperfection found on Type 1 and HK grips. I apologize in advanced for the duplicate post in both forums for those that are concerned with such things, but I want to ensure I have original grips. Also, as aforementioned this thread as a larger photo that shows the mold imperfection.

I think I may have some black grips that are like these found on some 1940 42 code Lugers. They are black, but have the same patterns as the brown plastic HK grips and the Type One bakelite grips in Molchen's study. The only difference being the top hole on the left grip has a plastic center that protrudes slightly as to mate with the right grip. The right grip has this also on the bottom hole. The bottom hole and the top hole on the left and right grip, respectively have the typical threads for a Type One bakelite.

Mine have the same small half moon imperfection located on the inside of the right grip along the magazine recess. Molchen's study showed that this half moon imperfection is also present on the brown plastic HK grips, therefore indicating both came from the same mold.

I first thought I had repos because the pin test did leave a slight mark. However the half moon imperfection is present and according to Molchens study indicates the same mold was used for my grips as the original brown HK grips and type one bakelite.

What is throwing me off is the pin mark from the pin test did make a small mark/hole. Perhaps I heated it up too long? One other possible explanation: could my grips be brown HK grips that were painted. I notice the grips in direct light look shiny, almost like there is a black paint or shellac on them.

Another, could these be original HK black plastic grips? Did HK make even make black plastic grips? And was the HK material regular plastic that would fail a pin test, or also bakelite? Some folks use plastic and bakelite interchangeably, so I want to make sure that there were indeed original proper plastic brown and black grips that were not made of bakelite material. Or are all original plastic grips bakelite? Also, someone told me that 1944 HK's had black plastic grips, but were they regular plastic or bakelite? The other explanation is my original, i.e., that they are repos. But would a repo have the same imperfection mark in the mold as the originals?

Below are some photos of my grips (first 2) and the photo from the forum (3rd photo). The mold imperfections along the mag recess are circled. Also note on the first photo at the right side I circled another mark that I have seen present on original black bakelite grips.