1939 S/42
 

I was offered this pistol today from a local fellow. He allowed me to take it home to look at it and photograph it. I would like your thoughts please.

It is a 1939 Mauser S/42. All numbers match including grips and magazine. It has a good bore and shows some honest wear to the finish in the usual spots. No rust or pitting.

I would like to make a fair offer to buy this pistol. What would a fair price be?

Also, I picked up a book, two "sets" of grips, a tool and and extra magazine I'll be posting in the accessories section.

Thanks in advance.

Eric

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the magazine . . .

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...........

You're right about that...never seen the marking verticle like that.

Capt., If it was a good buddy of mine I would give him $2,500-3,000. See if he'll take $1,500-2,000.
(or less!)


my .02

Gentlemen, is there something wrong with the stampings on this one? The magazine looked okay to me.

Are you serious about the price? I did not intend to even offer him $1500 for this pistol. I did not think that it was worth that much. I may be out of touch, or this one is nicer than I thought. I don't mind getting a deal, but not at my friend's expense. Is this a $2500 pistol?

All matching including the mag and grips. Excellent bluing from what I can tell...at least 2k. You can inform them about the value and still make your best offer. He must want you to have it to allow you to take it home to photograph it. I'll offer 2k if you pass it up:bigbye: (joking)

It looks like a great pistol...you should get it.

Hmmmm. Interesting stamp E/63 on the bottom of the mag. It looks to be original and different. I could see this pistol going for $2K pretty easily. If you really want to be fair to your friend, I'd tell him what I found out that the gun is really worth (or he could get from collectors) at least $2K out of it-maybe more if the right collector came around. Then offer him what you can actually do. If he agrees on your price, I think the deal would be fair. $1,500 would actually be a good offer (on your part) as mentioned above. You'd come out way ahead though. Especially since the magazine to this gun is the same as the gun-that's usually a hard find!

*Update* I never pulled the grips until last night. One is stamped with the last two digits of the serial number. The other is not. It is blank. I guess that makes this one "not matching". How would that change your opinions as to value? I am supposed to take it back to him this weekend if I won't buy it.

Thanks in advance.

You could lower it maybe 100-150 bucks tops. (The matching magazine especially) and the finnish and good bore really help to retain the value. One numbered grip is still pretty good.

I agree on the grip issue. Since all the other numbers match (including mag!), the one numbered grip issue is almost non-existant. To an advanced collector that might make some issue, but not much. If the un-numbered grip had another number to it-that is a little more different. But the non-number is not much difference.

The problem is that you just don't see nice ones like this all the time. They are getting harder and harder to find-hence the price this will command (especially in years to come). In 10 years it will be worth well over $2,500-if it is in the same condition. It's actually an investment as well as a hobby.

I offered him $1500 and he would not take it. Too much he said. I am dropping off $1000 this weekend. I thought that was a fair price.

W o w! You just got a great buy! Congrats!

A sensational buy at $1000 ... Congrats!

A good buy, for certain, of a very nice pistol!

And, more notable is that your seller is one of those rare persons not out to gouge the market for every last penny and more that might be had.

I extend my salute to your seller!

David

Very nice deal where both are happy! Excellent find sir.

Thanks guys. I was really bummed out about the grip. You made me feel much better.