Greeting, just found the site and I'm working my way through the posts. But as for your request for data, here's mine;

42 byf
5038 b
8.82

Anyway to tell when this was made? Given the P.08 and swazstika markings I assume in the 1930's?

Craig

Craig, thanks for the data on your 42 byf. The "42" is the year of production. Your Luger was completed in January 1942.

What was the Black Widow thing I've read about? :confused: Great forum by the way!

Craig, The "Black Widow" is a name that was coined by a dealer to promote the sales of Lugers with Black Bakelite Grips and Black Plastic fxo magazine bottoms. These were not selling well, so he made them "more desirable" by the name "Black Widow". Most collectors DO NOT like the term!

Hope this answers your question.

Frank,
Just bought a 41 byf. Here is the data:
41
byf
2521 q
8.81

Hi Joe, Thanks for the data. It is appreciated!

BYF 42 8306 L I think, no bore gauge stamp, all Black, matching with 2 155 inspectors marks, 5 "buzzard marks"

Hi Mo, thanks for the data. If the suffix looks like this, it's a "L"

Just inherited the Luger my grandfather brought back from WWII. Exciting to see all of the enthusiasm. Want to learn more!

byf 41
1239z with 8, 84 bore gauge

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the data! Nice looking Luger!!

byf 42 4796c 8.82 marked barrel

Vince, Thanks for the info. All is greatly appreciated!

New to the forum. (today) Just wandering around looking for more info on Dad's gun.
byf 42, #1019 script "l", No other numbers.

Briefly what can you tell me about my gun?
In my retirement I am planning to learn more about it and a P-38 also brought home by Dad.

Dad was in the Rangers, 2nd Batallion from 1942, to UK, to Normandy, to VE Day. Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars and 3 Purple Hearts. At one point in March of '45, he was wounded/injured and temporarily blinded. His men took him forward to a house basement and left him there. (It was a planned forward aid station.) His rifle wasn't much good to him down there and one of the guys gave him this Luger. He took it with him back to the hospital (almost shot a German POW when the ambualnce arrived and he heard orders shouted in German). He's had it ever since. I don't believe it has ever been fired back home in the States. I have his permission papers from late '45 when he sailed back home. Also the papers for the P-38. All matching numbers and in very nice shape. No numbers at all on the clip however. I plan to fire both guns soon and have been advised by a local gunsmith that they are quite fire-able. I doubt that either gun is a high value collectible other than sentimental value.

All comments and advice are welcome.

I have a photo but haven't figured out how to post it yet.

rp, thanks for the data and story about your Dad. I will assume the letter suffix is a "L". If so, the Luger 42 byf S/N 1019L was completed about August 1942 and was among the last Lugers made by Mauser for the German Military. :)

WELCOME to the Luger Forum!!!

Thanks all for the data :)

Re byf 42
 

Mine does not have it.

My BYF 42 is numbered 6128, L Block, no bore gauge.

Brandon, thanks for the info on your Luger. It's appreciated.

Not sure if you're still collecting this info but I just picked up a 42 byf today: 1012k with no bore gage. Hope that helps.

If you're still collecting data:

42 byf 3697d 8.82 on underside of barrel.

thebearpack & QuanLoi, thanks you for the data! I'm always interested in serial numbers. It all adds to my data base.

Hi
BYF 42
no bore gauge
135 waa
grip bakelite mod. 5 (right 2 holes left 1 hole)
7999 L
magazine 37 fxo
black widow

Cap, thanks for the data on your pistol!

5068k no bore gauge

MeHighLow, thanks for the data. It's appreciated!!

Frank, nice to see you post today :)

Portuguese contract: 5012m

No land-to-land caliber designation.

Frank,
Just received what I would call an "AS NEW" 42 date byf (black widow). I honestly have never seen, much less owned a Luger this new. The serial number is 9368h with a 8.81 bore gauge.

Mike

Vlim & Mike B, thanks for the data!! It's appreciated.

Mike, please verify the bore guage and suffix. Most 42 byf Military Mausers after about the middle of the "D" Suffix didn't have the bore guage marked on the barrel. Thanks

Frank,
I have posted a few additional pictures. Serial number is 9368h. BTW: I have never had a Mauser Luger with so much purple tint.

Mike

Mike, thanks for the new pictures. You indeed have an odd ball, serial number is 9368h with a 8.81 bore gauge. I also have an odd ball. A 41 byf, S/N 6290z, without a bore guage.

My only guess would be a production error that was either missed or perhaps a pistol part that had to be replaced in a latter stage of production.

Are you, or anyone else, collecting data on byf 41's?

Shadow, I collect data on all Military Mauser Lugers (that includes 41 byf). Please give me the data via email or private message. Thanks

My 1942 byf has 9112d no gauge mark

Regards Kai
Norway:rockon:

Kai, Thanks for the data!! Most appreciated!

Jeez Frank, I can't believe that I didn't respond to this way back when. 934L / no bore guage.
Hope all is well, Lyn

Hey Lyn, thanks for the S/N. I'm doing okay. Hope you guys are well!!! :)

My byf 42 has SN 4517 d or a (both look the same) and has bore gauge 8.82. Purchased from Simpson Ltd. a couple of years ago. Came with worn walnut grip panels which I since replaced with repro black plastic panels. All matching numbers with Nazi eagle on right side of barrel. Nice shooter.

JRS, Thanks for the data. Chances arepretty good the suffix is a "D"!!!

592 g , no bore gauge number