Another one to watch on auction...

It even has an HK-proofed holster with Norwegian mod's...

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/di...temnum=8411138

More E/655 grips on eBay...with ink marks BUT also with 2-digit SN stamping as well...

I was really excited to see "58" but then forgot your gun has "98"...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-WW2-GER...QQcmdZViewItem

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...user_grips.jpg

This other grip of the pair seems to have a much longer number inked in...maybe a SSN ???

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...rips_copy1.jpg

And interestingly, it even looks like who ever put the ink marks on the back of these grips was using the same type of marker that was used on my pair!

Thank you!

Ron,

Another pair of Mauser grips with ink-marked SN's :

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=1638444

These are E/135 stamped...

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...user_grips.jpg

I believe that you have a rare Luger, only 7000, 42 - 41 ( 41 is the date )Lugers were made, Range of serial number 2500n -6700r. The magazine should be type 3 Army blued extruded 122 code.
And as far as I know they all went to the Russian front.
Alf

Pete -

I guess these ink marked Mauser grips are not that uncommon. And the one in the photograph you have provided appears to have been numbered with the same type of felt tipped marker that my own pair have been marked with. The concensus is that this was not done by the Germans because this type of marker was not in use then. So I can not help wondering when these ink marks were created, and perhaps by whom. It is tempting to say that they are not original to the gun; however, other collectors have told me they are original to their guns too.

Alf -

I was not aware that most of these 41-42 Lugers are thought to have gone to the Eastern Front as a result of Operation Barbarossa. The operational orders for Barbarossa were generated in January of 1941 which is also the same time that the 41-42 Lugers were being made. So is there reliable documentation for this diversion to the Eastern Front, or is this just educated speculation?

Mauser720 - Ron

Ron, the 41-42 code started in January. In February the 42 code was changed to byf code, that is why there are so few of this Luger.
It makes sense that at the beginning of such a campaign all available pistols were needed and the 41-42 were fresh from production.
And adding to that I read it some time ago, but I can't remember where, I will try to find the source and post it back to you.
Alf

Alf -

Thank you!

Ron