1941 Luger with 42 code opinions
 

Hi all,

Looking to buy this 41/42 Luger w/ matching mag. It looks completely unmessed by the pictures but let me know what you all think!

..

Nothing really jumps out at me but I'd like to see a better photo of the mag bottom. I just can't see the details.
Also, the bluing is exceptionally dark, even and shows absolutely no wear on the high spots, the side plate, etc. I'm not saying that it can't be genuine, but I'd want to look at it really closely because you're probably paying a premium for condition.
Frequently these guns show different tones of bluing, some purplish, etc.
dju

Exquisite 42-41 Mauser luger! The "n" suffix is proper as well. The only thing that would make this even rarer and more desirable is the lack of the P.08 marking. This is about as nice as they get.

I've asked for a few more pictures so as soon as they come in I'll post. I have a 38 Luger in similar condition but it has muzzle wear and on the high points of the plate.

It looks too pretty to me! I might think it's been restored. If not it's a nice collectable. Good Luck! :)

Magazine bottom

Do you guys think it's been reblued? Looks almost too nice.

This is my 1938 Luger. Finish is great and similar to the 41 here. Bluing looks comparable.

I think the picture of the trigger guard really shows the crispness of the letters. If it was re-blued I think it would be hard to achieve that unless the whole thing was completely stripped.

Just found out this was a former Legacy Collectables piece:

http://www.legacy-collectibles.com/m...near-mint-1505

If they say it's good, it must be :thumbup:

The mag. bottom looks good.
I still think that the finish looks like a re-blue, HOWEVER, if Legacy has had their hands on it and says it is original, then who am I to question it after seeing a couple of photos?
An extremely nice gun. Let us know if you land it.
dju

Thanks all! The seller says that one grip is numbered "84" but the other isn't. Any thoughts on this?

I cannot swear that it wasn't reblued, but in any case it's a gorgeous gun. Congratulations indeed!

It looks good, maybe to good. Remember Legacy is in the business of selling. If not restored a very nice ,good as they get luger. I like a little more wear on the muzzle and sideplate. Would need a hands on by someone who knows more than me. Good luck. Bill

Thanks bill. What about the grip numbers? That's the only thing that is holding me up.

Correct grips for this gun would be numbered 05 not 84.

It seems to me that the numbering of wooden grips in the 1941 and 1942 years was a bit dicey. You see otherwise very nice guns with either both blank or one blank grip panel. So much so that I don't know if that should be a deal breaker. Not to say you, as the buyer, can't insist on a discount...
It would be interesting to know the numbers stamped on the INSIDE of the side plate too.
dju

Here's a side by side comparison of the same gun: one from the Legacy website and one the seller has listed. Legacy says that they are waffen marked but no mention of the numbers, while the seller says it's marked "84" and then other other has nothing. Not sure what the case is but these grips look completely different. Seller says he never took them apart but who knows...

I too would like to know the inside sideplate number. The grips would not bother me at all. That late some were numbered and some not. Bill

Well it looks like the seller has been very reluctant to disassemble the gun and has been giving me quite some resistance to my questions with growing hostility. It makes me hesitant...but the same gun was featured on Legacy so it should have a green light...not sure what to do here.

No high edge wear on the usual parts would make me hesitate. The bottom of the magazine in my opinion should match the pistol finish. And it does not. (a little dinged up) I'm with others, just looks to good.

Not for me without a hands on inspection.

Bob

Here are Legacy's pictures:

Inspection marks

If you look at the Legacy web site photos, there is no scratch from the safety lever being swung. No shiney spots on the back of the receiver from the toggle hitting it. But the bottom of the mag. shows dings from being dropped and the top of the mag. body shows bluing loss from use.
The grips do not look new like the rest of the gun.
It would be interesting to see photos of the gun with the toggle raised and locked back.
To me it just does not show that "even" wear that we sometimes have to fall back on.
Is the seller offering a 3 day inspection?
This is the exact reason that I will not pay for that unique mark, interesting story, or special condition. I can't afford loosing $2500 on a $4000 gun. And IMHO, that is a real possibility with this gun.
But then if you are a serious collector who would always kick yourself over "the one that got away", maybe it is worth the risk.
dju

Well the seller is asking $2500 for it and he supposedly just bought it from Legacy for $1,000 more this past October. Not sure why he is flipping it so quickly and for such a huge loss...but I could either make out really well on this one or end up with a flop. It really is a huge gamble.

Now that is interesting...
3 day inspection?
dju

I asked...pretty much said that someone will buy it without him needing to take it apart or ask for an inspection period. Very shady IMO.

AND I just found this same gun sold at a Rock Island Auction in September of last year! Here's their description:

This is a scarce 1941 production Luger P.08 pistol that has the "42" code on the toggle for the Mauser factory with the "41" for year of manufacture stamped on the chamber. This was a relatively short production variation as both the year of manufacture and secret factory code both were eventually changed. This variation has been aptly termed by collectors as a "41/42" code Luger. Although the "n" suffix indicates that 150,000 of them were made, they are seldom seen. The right side of the barrel extension is marked with two "Eagle/655" proof marks followed by the Nazi firing proof. The firing proof is repeated on the right rear of the barrel and left side of the breechblock. The "Eagle/655" proof is also marked on the left rear of the barrel. The matching serial number is marked on the left side of the barrel extension, front of the frame and underside of the barrel with the bore diameter "8,82". The partial serial number "05" is marked on the small components. The left side of the frame is marked "P.08", the upper safety position is marked "GESICHERT" and the extractor is marked "GELADEN". Fixed sights, stock lug, all blue finish, blue matching magazine with pot metal base and fitted with checkered walnut grips. Comes with a black leather flap holster marked "cxb/41", "Eagle/WaA721" and "P.08" on the back.

Condition: Very fine as professionally refinished with 98% blue finish remaining showing some mild muzzle and high edge wear. The grips are excellent with some minor handling marks and crisp checkering. The markings are clear. Mechanically fine. The holster is very fine with some mild flex wear and tight stitching.

Looks like the buyers found out that it was refinished, kept the holster, and it's been making the rounds trying to find an inexperienced buyer.

Link: http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie...aid/59/lid/350

Wow. What some sleuthing!

Looks like a good one to avoid. Did Legacy buy this from the auction house? Legacy's ad lists it as mint not a restoration. Something not right there also. Bill

so now that we know its been refinished, whats the real value?

Sold as refinished the value should be $1200 to $1500. Believe it or not, there is a market out there for mint refinished or restored guns.

GG:
Good work. I guess I'll not try to sell you that bridge in AZ...
The burning question in my mind is how it went from prof. refinished at auction to original finish at Legacy. I don't know those guys, but maybe they will chime in. They deserve the benefit of the doubt.
And i do see a $1500 gun there.
dju

Agreed. It's great that it was refinished quite well, but most of us aren't in the market for refinished pieces. Legacy should definitely chime in because it makes me nervous about buying a gun from them listed as "Original finish."

P.S - Bill called it right away. Legacy is in the business for selling :rolleyes:

But in business your reputation is everything, something to be very jealously guarded, a key to future earnings. Sort of a pre-requisite for selling.
I hope we hear from them because we need to have the "good guys" that we can count on.
dju

If the gun has been restored, the polishing was done by an expert before re-bluing. The Legacy photograph seem to be missing the P-08, while the bottom picture clearly shows the P-08 near the toggle.
Do you plan on shooting this, or will the Luger become a safe queen?
Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Good luck.

Didn't see all of the previous posts about the originality of the finish. I certainly would buy this gun if it was going to be a shooter and I could get it for a reasonable price.

41/42 po8
 

It may be The lighting of your photo, but the polishing, particularly of the right frame, doesn't look factory to me. Tom