Temptation Won Again!
 

I gave in again today, bought a '42 9 mm byf from a shop whose owner is retiring. It's really nice, a matching k date with a double digit S/N. It's neat when all part numbers match the frame S/N. I've been "on the wagon" for quite a while trying to cure this addiction, but Lugeritis got me today. The bore is really clean (may be a new barrel) as is the rest of the gun and I'm sure it hasn't been reblued. I shot it 35 rounds on the way home, worked great with the aftermarket mag. that came with it, but had 2 feed failures with the original non matching magazine.

The grips are fairly new, but poorly fitting wood replacements. Guess I have another job for Hugh (sometime after he finishes my 1911 slide repairs). I did pay $700 for this one, but it's much better than any of my others (remember guys, I'm a shooter not a hard core collector--have mercy on me). I'll see if I can scan this one in on my new scanner tomorrow. Man these treatments for Lugeritis are expensive, do you suppose medicare covers them?

Hey Al,
See you have all that insurance money and no where to spend it !
Hows the house comming along ?

would like to see the scans

If you find any more good deals send them my way....

Jim

"Fired 35 rounds on the way home?" That's one way to get through traffic:D

Ron -

LOL

Age, seems like a nice shooter, 42 byf.

They didn't make a K date byf tho.... :D

Ed

Jim,

The house is coming along well--maybe 90% done now. That is costing big bucks (many,many Lugers worth). Thanks for your interest, we're holding up well (at least with this latest medicine).

Ed,

Well I hoped this one is genuine, maybe it's my interpretation of the k--maybe I have been had somewhat. Since I'm a shooter (I'm out of date too and sort of an albatross) and it's a shooter for sure maybe we are well matched. By the way, the k is the suffox and the chamber date is 42 (not 1942); does this compute?

My scanner won't work this morning, guess I'll place another call to the HP help line. It worked a month ago but I've installed some other software in the meantime--who knows??

Ron,

I guess the kids might use the traffic as targets but I use a range. Nice local place, but indoors and not the greatest lighting to see these tiny sights. Still about a 3" group a little high and to the left. Typical, I can fix that. Always have to do this on a Luger.

I'll be back.

Come on guys, let me know about k suffox (sp?) vs k date. Also, about 2 digit date of 42 versus 1942 for this nice byf Luger. Spent 4 hours with HP help people trying to get my scanner working again. Result for now is failure. Tomorrow is another day, but I might have a new obstacle since an old friend who owns an engineering company wants me to do some work for him (tried that once, didn't like it). Maybe he could pay in Lugers.

A k suffix is the suffix, and is part of the year it was made.

A "K" Date is from when they marked them on the receiver, just like the 1937, 1938, 1939, etc, there were G dates and K dates.

It is just terminology, and you saying k date through me off. ;)

Ed

Thanks Ed. I feel a little better. What about the two diget 42?? Aren't most of them four digets (1942) or is my memory totally shot. Most of my guns are in storage out of state at a relative's place while my house is being rebuilt so I can't compare it with my others right now.

A byf would have 1942 over the chamber, and the byf is on the toggle...

I do not have my books with me (in Kentucky for work, a stop of 30 hours), but there were 1941 and also 41 marked lugers. Unsure of 42 marked ones ...


ED

Thanks again guys. Yes Johnny, the 42 is over the chamber and the byf is on the toggle. The great looking barrel has only the two digit serial number and a bird (looks like that to me anyway) proof, no suffix.

Mauser made Lugers would only be two digits for 41 and 42. Only Krieghoff's would be four digit.


Tracy

Tracy, a technical correction for you. There were four digit date Mausers in both 1941 and 1942. They are both Banner Police models, I believe that some even lack the sear safety.

Tracyp,

You made me feel even better since it's a Mauser. Thanks again. Gotta hit the hay now--tomorrow's another day and maybe another session with HP help on my scanner. It's a good thing I'm retired although the present boss (wife) can get pushy too like "Are you still messing with that computer?"

Hi Al....
 

I'm absolutely the wrong guy to intercede with this post, but recently, when selling some modern firearms - I ran across a 42 byf RIG. My letter suffix is "f" and it appears yours is "k". Anyway - as a reference, Mr. Still in "Third Reich Lugers" (which I highly recommend if you do not have a copy) has some excellent photos and estimates that there were approximately 113,000 "42" byfs produced. Both the "f" and "k" block are included (mine and yours). While outside my collecting area - I do appreciate these Mauser produced Lugers. There is something about them

Anyway - here is a quick picture of mine. It's a RIG (holster - DLU 41 (Ewald Luneschloss, Militar-Effekten-Fabrik, Solingen, Nordrhein-Westfalen)) but neither MAG matches the overall serial number of 3063f.

Anyway - I hope this helps - and CONGRATS!!!

John D.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/untitled351.jpg

John,

I appreciate your answer. My scanner is still on the fritz.

I had my toy apart today for cleaning. Everything matches and the bore is as good as one of my new '90s Colts. The barrel has no suffix but it does have a Waffen.. proof on the right side near the frame. The frame has 3 proofs near the right front. It has maybe 10 tiny pits (maybe .005" diameter) on the right side on the raised rail and small shiny spots on the end of the barrel and the high ridge on the sideplate. The sideplate finish has a few blemishes (almost like casehardening) and the rest of the finish is 95%+. The finish looks a little better than yours does. There are no import marks.

It has sharp edges, clear numbers and no import stamp. There are obvious milling machine marks under the safety and on the opposite side of the frame. I don't think it has been reblued. It is marked P.08 under the left side of the toggle. The non matching magazine has a blued body and a numbered aluminum base with a d suffix. Even the grips look old on the inside (no numbers). They don't fit perfectly but could be tightened up with O-rings or glue.

What does one like this usually go for? Thanks in advance.

Hi Al..!

Again - I'm probably the wrong person to be answering this - BUT, your description sounds exactly like mine. For example - mine is E/135 proofed and the barrel has the serial number without the letter suffix. Overall, it's probably rated at about 90%-92%, depending on who is doing the rating.

As for price - OH MY!! - I dunno, I just checked a few "42" byf's on the internet and previous auctions - and the current pricing appears to be anywhere from $1800 (non RIG) - to about $3000 (RIG) :eek: Ummm - suffice it to say - I paid a LOT less then either of these two figures... It's not to say I'm a "smart shopper", but rather "even a blind pig finds a truffle on occasion" would be me appropriate to my acquisition ;)

Now - stop reading this reply - and get your scanner cranked up!!

:cheers:

John D.

Thanks again John. Maybe I have a winner this time. I wouldn't panic in any event since it is really nice, functions well and ITS A NEEEAAAT LUGER!
Don't know why they attract me but you guys understand. Lousy gun for serious social events but REALLY NEEEAAAT.

Stupid scanner. I guess I have to put that effort on hold. Oh well??? Maybe someday. This one is only 5 mos. old and did work OK (got some neat scans of my SS Colt Gold Cup) a month ago. Didn't do other guns since Hugh has part of my favorite pet (1911 worked over by Bob Day) and most of the others are at relatives. I could buy a better scanner or a digital camera (or another Luger??). Or maybe put the $$ toward house repair. Decisions, decisions....

I'm going to try to add some crappy scans of the 42byf. Here is the left side (maybe):



http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/42byf0a1_copy8.jpg