great grandfathers bring back
 

I have a luger my great grandfather brought back from the war along with a mauser, another small pocket pistol and a p-38 which was unfortunately given away by my d-bag ex step father to pay a debt. Anyway Im just looking for any info I can get about this luger. My great grandfather passed away about 12 years ago now. The story goes, as told from my grandfather, my great grandfather was the son of german immigrants and spoke german. The luger and p38 were turned over to him by nazi officers as they surrendered. He did the translating. He was in the battle of the bulge, not sure where exactly or even his division/company etc. I would love to find that info also.

Specs on the luger:

G stamped
S/42
Sn 6900
All numbers match except mag
Eagle 63, 92 with square around it and what looks like 2 capitol A's smashed together on the right side
What looks like an upside down capitol T on the front below the barrel above the trigger guard

Holster has
Lederwarenwerk
Curt vogel
Cottbus
1938
Eagle with swastica and WaA94
Different eagle with swastica and M

I will try and get some pictures.
Any and all info is greatly appreciated

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Your "G" date Luger was made by Mauser in 1935 in Oberndorf, Germany. The "G" was a concealment of the date of manufacture.

S/42 is Mauser's concealment code.

There is probably a letter under the "6900" serial number digits on the front of the frame above the trigger guard. The suffix letter is part of the serial number also. The upside down capital "T" could be a script "L".

The E/63 and B/92 are inspection and acceptance marks when the Luger was military accepted.

If the holster is all original, the "M" mark would indicate it is a marine issued holster. Pictures are needed. Are there any numbers on the rear of the Luger's grip strap?

Marc

Welcome to the forum.

No markings on the rear.

Here is a quick picture with my phone. I will take detailed pictures later today

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...6d7b1be367.jpg

Howdy! very nice looking G date!

Nice...do hold on to it...as a piece of family history. A great thing to pass along...

Boy, I'm used to hearing bring backs brought back by "my Dad" "my Grandfather"!

Now It's "my Great Grandfather". I'm getting old!!!

Great heirloom by the way.

Bob

here are some better pictures. you can see in the last one the german who carried this modified the holster for easier access to the grip.


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000689.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000687.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000691.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000693.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000695.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000697.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000698.jpg

A little off topic but the another pistol and a 1944 K98 mauser he brought back. At some point he cut the mauser stock down a couple inches and put on a different buttpad. I'm trying to figure out what to do with that. Best idea i have so far is buy a new correct buttplate, cut and re-weld to fit and try and match the finish of the rest of the rifle. Its also missing the take down ring which isnt a big deal to replace.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000699.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000700.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000701.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000702.jpg

From your photos, every one of your Great Grandfather's bringbacks looks modified. Both pistols look buffed and reblued and the rifle has the stock cut down, the sling nailed on with brads and the take-down escucheon removed from the stock. The holster cutdown was almost undoudtedly done by a GI, as a German would have never modified his gear in this way.

Until much better photos are provided, this is what I see.

The Model 1910/22 Mauser pistol is not re-blued...they are always high polished...that is the original finish I think( I might be wrong, but I doubt it). I have one and they are beautifully blued. The Luger too does not appears to be re-blued...with better lighting I am sure you can tell variations of old blue colors. Any other opinions on this?

Here is an example...

Frank, I'm not basing my assesment of the Mauser on the shine, but on the uneven surfaces, buffed out edges and muddled roll markings. Compare the crispness of your pistol's edges, roll markings and the slide's finger serrations to the pistol in question. I think it will become a little more obvious.

Again, I did put in the disclaimer that I was basing this opinion on the current photos.

Its probably the terrible pictures. I was using a flashlight instead of the flash because the flash was washing everything out. Im 1000% positive these havent been re-blued. The stock is cut down and take down disk removed or lost as I stated above. It doesnt make any sense to remove it so possibly lost in the war? I dont want to replace it as it wouldnt be original to me, it wouldnt be the rifle he brought back.

Mike,

There is no possible way the take down disk fell out. It you were familiar with how these are installed in the stocks, this would be obvious. This was purposely removed, probably as part of an attempt to "sporterize" the K98, along with all the other changes.

What I would do is...new pics with better lighting. Alanint, I understood the disclaimer...but even with the poor pics...I could see the bluing shades on the Luger, and the light use rubes around the the corners of the model 1910...which will show up when he posts better pics. That is why we are having the fun in discussing the love affairs. No intent on any slam...if that was perceived. :)

What caliber is the Mauser pistol? Correct terms would be a M1910/34 if in 6.35mm or M1934 if in 7.65mm. The serial suffix of your G date appears to be a lower case "b", as all G dates were in the "a" to "f" suffix range. Th

Zero offense taken, Frank!

It IS entertaining to speculate and I'm the first one to admit that well taken photos make a world of difference.

I have often changed an opinion here based on new photos.

Mike,

Take your photos in indirect (shaded) sunlight. use a tripod, and the closeup setting on your digital camera.

Modifications (including cutting out the holster and any refinishing) reduce or eliminate any collector interest in a firearm or holster.

Tom, the pocket pistol is in 6.35mm / .25acp.

Marc

Tom is correct in that it is a 1910/34 mauser and it is in .25 cal. It is also an extremely late serial number being in the high 425,900 block and very near the transition from Crown N to Eagle N proofs. Eagle N's are very, very rare and a better photo of yours in the area of the front right side would verify one way or the other. As to the originality of the finish, I tend to believe it original, but as previously stated better pictures would be of benefit.

I was on vacation the last week so just finally got around to getting some pictures in better light.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000719.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000720.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000721.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000722.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000723.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000724.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000725.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000726.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000727.jpg


also picked these up at a military collectibles show i checked out yesterday, $15 for both boxes.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61...s/P1000728.jpg

Great pics...I am concerned a little of the Luger pics. It does appears questionable with the bluing and possible buffing. I am not sure what to say...I think you said you are sure it wasn't re-blued. Is it possible for the s/42 to have this kind of bluing guys or is this a touch up blue? More input needed...I like the model 1934...it looks good to me. The ammo is nice too..

Judging by the blued takedown lever and other misc. small stuff, the Luger has been reblued, however not buffed.
Agree?
It is still a very nice gun and worthy of a proud spot in your family history.
dju

As commented previously, I believe both the Luger and Mauser have been reblued. Whoever did the Luger mistakenly strawed the trigger and not the takedown lever, which would be incorrect on this pistol. The toggle axel retaining pin is also blued.

The wavy, buffed look of the Mauser and the vague proofs also indicates to me that it has been redone.

The Mauser "Banner" on the side plate was buffed to almost none. The new color tone is not black enough. This 6,35mm variation is relatively scarce.

Well, with the new pics..we can judge better...