41 Code 42 Luger
 

Hi folks,
This is my Luger. 41 code 42 Luger. SN 5732-b (y). Matching number also on the magazine. German eagle with swastika and E655 on the right side. On the barrel I see a crown, the letter N and the number 653. Blueing really about 97% ok. Looks very nice. What do you think about this Luger? Opinions?
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/tn_l1_copy2.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/tn_l2_copy1.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/tn_l3_copy1.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/tn_l4_copy1.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/tn_l5_copy1.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/tn_l6_copy1.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/tn_l7_copy1.jpg

Russian vopo grips, is this a capture gun ? The 3rd picture seems to show a variety of marks on the front of the cannon, is that the case or is it just a trick of the picture ?

Heinz, Cool Luger! They have a lot of history. I am not an expert. I would like to identify your pistol more accurately. It is hard with some. I think your pistol was retrieved after a battle and then stored until they could reissue them or rebuild and repair all the captured arms. Most were rebuilt and reworked and stored untill sold by the Russians recently. It appears yours is one of them. I bet it shoots great. Congradulations! :bigbye:

Heinz, Even without seeing your photos, it sounds as though you have a DDR reworked PO8 with new DDR barrel installed in June 1953 (C/N & 653). Also most 41/42 lugers were made in the N,O or P suffix range, so your's is probably a force matched DDR special. TH

Hi,

Very nice example of an honest VoPo. Interesting that the side plate was once cut for a sear safety. As the East-Germans rebuilt pistols using parts on hand it's not easy to say if this pistol actually had a sear safety.

They tended to force-match all parts to the frame number.

Actually, you can see that the sear shelf is not drilled for the sear-safety attaching rivet, so it never had one.

--Dwight

Hi Dwight,

Good point, missed that one.

Heinz,

This page was scanned in from 'Die Kleine Waffenkunde', a publication by the East-German ministry of interior dating from 1966.

It shows the variation you have.

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/vopo01_small.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/imag0001.jpg

This picture shows more details about the left side.

Yup, East-German proofs and what looks like a Police district marking. Definately a VoPo.