41-42 n suffix style

[Chris from Minnesota]

Thanks guys, that answers that question, I wasn’t sure if it was legit or not I haven’t found anything that clearly shows a difference in suffix style. Off the subject, the 41 byf is the first luger that I procured a year and half ago, now I have six Mauser Military P.08’s the disease moves swiftly.

Originally Posted by tharpo

Chris,
The style of the n suffix was different when comparing the magazine and the frame in 1941. Go to page 654 in The Mauser Parabellum and you will see your magazine matches as the book photos are from magazines. Here is a picture of another matching 41-42.
I got faked out on this a while back in a discussion on Jan Stills Forum. It looks to me you have a very nice gun. Also notice the "3"s are flat top on the magazines and rounded on the front of the frame.
Tom

I’ve always thought that the numbers on the frame were done first with a machine and the other numbers were applied by hand. One thing that I’ve learned from this board is the importance of the number font style though out the pistol. Here are some more photos.

[Frank]

I should have mentioned that many 41 byf Lugers have been reported in the N-Block and without exception, when examined, have been in the P-Block.

Also many 41/42 N-Block Lugers have been reported as P-Block and when examined are actually N-Block.

This is pretty common, especially for beginner collectors and in some cases experienced collectors. It took quite a while for me to convince Hallock there were no N-Block 41 byf pistols. He eventually came around.

I think it's pretty easy to see the confusion just from these posts.

Tom, thanks for the data on your 3513n 41/42!! There are roughly 1000 of these critters around. I suspect many went to the Russian Front and are still there in the ground. I have seen several that had the "X" Russian Capture Mark on them. These little jewels are tough to come by. Congratulations on yours!!

[tharpo]

Frank here is what the rest of it looks like. I would think it is one of the last 1941 lugers without a P08 stamp on the frame. Grips are unnumbered E/655.
Tom

[Frank]

Tom, I have S/N 3607n as the latest I have recorded. The earliest I have recorded is S/N 2716n. You have a beauty.

[A.Mifsin]

I posted this question in another thread, but it seems that this is a good example regarding my question, so, I am submitting it here also.
My 41-42 Luger. Has the letter suffix which looks like an N, like the Luger that Chris has, Now I know that are 41-42 Lugers with the same letter suffix like mine, but according to Mauser Parabellum 1930-1946 book, it is a P. From my photo it is clear that it is not an N but more like a P with the long leg cut off. My gun is matching and the grips are marked SE 655 on both of them, it also have the PO8 on the rear left side of the frame. Thanks for any feedback.
Alf.