Refinished Luger S/42 (Mauser 1997)
 

Greetings All,

This is my recently purchased S-42. It's a Mauser G stamped and factory refurbished back in 1997. It has no markings nor proof marks other than the mentioned G, the serial numbers and the Mauser - Werke grip laser stamp. I have replaced the original grips with a pair of Nill uncheckered walnut ones that IMHO look really nice. A good friend of mine and Luger expert classifies this gun as a "supernice shooter" with no collectible value since it´s a refurbished unit. My impression is that shooter or collectible they did a fine job with the restoring process. The gun´s edges look sharp and all the markings are clearly visible with the only exception of the s/n underneath the barrel which looks a little faded. Everything despite the intensive polishing needed to obtain that blue mirror finish...

This is as much as I know about this particular Luger. If anyone has additional info (date of manufacture, estimated value,etc...) I would appreciate any comment...

Thank you

Pablo G. Vigón

More pics...
 

More pics...

It looks very nice. :)

This is the first I've heard of the Mauser factory refinishing any Luger pistols.

Nice example of a very rare Mauser variation!

He's wrong :)

These guns were refinished by a subcontractor of Frankonia in Germany and intended for resale by Mauser itself. Mauser has them pictured in their 1997 and 1998 brochures. It is the final attempt of Mauser to try and do something commercially interesting with the P08 design.

As the 'final attempt' these pistols are collectible.

Interesting point. In any case, it is a beauty! Enjoy owning it. I sure would.

Thank you all for the comments. BTW I assured there were no markings present other than the G letter...I was wrong: the dropped wings are also there (left side of the breech lock). Railsplitter: I will follow your advice. It's a nice gun to own and shoot.

pgv, Interesting luger with a nice high polish refinish. I noticed that the WaAs have been "wiped" from the right receiver and that there is a "smug" on the left, forward of the serial. I wonder if this was a postwar reproof marking? Gracias, TH

Hello Pablo,
Also this variation is well described in the book "The Parabellum is back! 1945 - 2000".

So, in a few months also this variation will be described with all the details in a book.

Concerning the collectible value your friend is wrong; my suggestion is to keep this gun as it is.

Cheers,
Mauro

This thread goes to show you an old dog can learn new tricks! I never knew these existed!
Not something this military collector would necessarily look for but a very interesting variation.
Vlim, Thanks for the history lesson!

Jerry Burney

Markings found!
 

A bad habit not to look underneath the sideplate...

Thank you all for your replies...

Pablo

Nice, proofed in Cologne in 1997 (KH).

this one looks like another mauser 1997 example

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?i...6bbd363b0b59d8

perhaps of interest to someone with easy access / not import restricted

price seems reasonable so far

I have no interest in it buying or selling

Bill

As Jerry stated never "knew these existed" same here. I was thinking it was a parts gun refinished.

very interesting

Jim

Technically speaking they are just that. But the fact that Mauser was the driving force behind it, and the fact that they offered them through their sales channels makes it special nonetheless :)

Excellent point Vlim. They do hold a spot in Luger history.

Yes Ifid. I've got the same green Mauser case...that Egun luger is a sister of mine...

Very interesting. I remember to have read something back then, but I lost track of this Mauser venture.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Douglas

pgv:

A beauty of a Luger. The smooth walnut grip panels are outstanding. I looked up the Nill Griffe website and the only thing they listed was the Luger checkered panels at $104.00 U.S, Are the smoothies a special order? I did not see any place on the website to place a special order and since Nill Griffe is in Germany and I'm in the U.S, it makes for any awkward ordering and delivery situation. I see that you live in Northern Spain, probably making Nill Griffe more accessable to you.

Shouldn't be too problematic. They even have an English language version of their website.

And exporting grips to the US is unlikely to be an issue, on both sides of the big pond.

http://www.nill-grips.com/News_88.html

Vlim:

I E-mailed Nill griffe and received back from them the order number for smooth Luger grip panels and instructions. I promptly ordered a set and Nill Griffe said they will be on their next bulk shipment to the U.S. next week. Shipping rates are a bit high at $18.00 U.S., but not bad considering point of departure to point of arrival. Besides, I think the base price of $87.00 for the panels is a bargain. Thanks, Vlim, for your help