Questions on an Odd Luger?
 

I have a Luger that has the following:
1. Dated 1916
2. Reblued and probably renumbered
3. Early WW1 proofs on the rt. side
4. 6 inch Navy barrel
5 the forward toggle is marked with a U and two dots (like a test gun might have) At one time something was buffed off under the U.

This may just be a nothing gun, but I always wonder. Any help would be appreciated. David (I will try to post pics)

Re: Questions on an Odd Luger?
 

David, this is a very interesting luger and one, I hope, begets more comments from Forum members. The strange "U" marking on the forward toggle may be a symbol for a pressure test luger. The closest thing I could find is on page 301 of Kenyon's Lugers at Random, but the marking is a "Ub" and it's on the chamber. The extractor is cherry in color, typical of later Mauser dip blueing. Hope other folks' ideas come forth.

I have never seen a toggle marked in this manner... no telling where it might come from. If you haven't already, I would recommend that you post these photos or a link on Jan Still's forum... to make sure you get as many theories as possible... A very interesting gun.

John If you would provide a link to Stills' site I would be grateful. I'm not sure how to do that, otherwise I will redo the info on that site. Thanks David

David, always best to post same info on both sites, as there are folks on both sites that do not frequent or they are not signed up on each other site.

I always copy and paste the text, but repost the photo's on the "other" forum... ;)

Ed

Zim,

It appears to me from the first photo that there is some kind of spacer between the barrel and the receiver. My best guess is that it might be a long frame barrel on a short frame receiver. More photos of other markings and serial numbers would be useful. FYI, the "U" with two dots above is an umlaut U, presumably the first letter of something spelled that way. KFS

additional pic

more pics

Notice the trigger travel adjusting screw on the front of the trigger guard. This sure is a mysterious and interesting luger. Hope it gets on the other Forum as well so more people will get to see it.

What is the proof mark on the breechblock? Is it a mid-30s eagle proof? Is there a proof on the left receiver or on the barrel? For that matter, is the barrel serial numbered and witness-marked?

--Dwight

Gents,

I'm pretty sure the old stamping was an S/42. Some rotating and enhancing of the image shows the faint outlines of the S and the 2.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/s42.jpg

Ã?? as well as Ã??b are both acceptable abbreviations for the word Ã??bung (practice, test).

Removing the original manufacturer's logo would help in identifying the pistol as 'messed with' and would therefore protect the original producer against possible liability issues if the 'test pistol' would fail.

Hi all,
the Ã?? could also be the abreviation for 'Ã??berdruck' meaning overpressure.
Armin.

Sounds logical.

Or "�¼berarbeitet" - reworked.

I have seen a couple 20 commericals in the last 40 years, that had long frame barrels installed in short receiver using this spacer technique. In fact, I have several of these barrel spacers, that I got with other parts from a heir of the Pacific Arms Corp. For sale @$10 each, for anyone foolish enough to want to waste a good long frame barrel on a short frame receiver. I rather see you trade it to me for the correct length new short frame barrel. Incidentally, yesterday I received a quote from a Germany barrel maker, who is willing to make new long frame 9x150mm (6") barrels for us (minimum of 10) with either the standard or high Navy front sight base (for your M1906 Navys) @$200 each. With added S&H and import duties, they will probably retail for at least $250. I will consider bringings some to US, if there is enough interest. TH

Dwight and others. The breech block has the 1930's eagle, no proofs on left side of receiver or on barrel. The barrel is numbered to the gun. Witness mark is perfect on spacer and receiver and the mark on the barrel is very good, but seems a finer cut. The observation on the S/42 is correct, good eye. I noticed the 2 but didn't put it all together. (not too bright on my part). I have no idea what the adjusting screw on the trigger guard is. Thanks for the comments David

Zim,

The barrel would have to be RE-numbered to the gun (any signs of grinding/original number?
This is a summary:
1916 frame and receiver (note earlier unrelieved, unnumbered sear bar)
1906 Navy barrel (with custom made sight blade)
S/42 toggle train, front link ground flat and renumbered to frame
Note: breech block "hump" has also been reshaped
Set screw installed on trigger guard to limit trigger travel
Unnumbered side plate?
Grip screws modified for Phillips screwdriver?

Umlaut "U," whatever it means, suggests that this is not a parts gun assembled in the US. Apparent lack of import marks or "GERMANY" stamp suggests it is a bring back gun of some kind. The idea of a test gun is appealing but begs the question: a test gun for who? If my weak knowledge of Mauser lugers is correct, the gun could not have been assembled prior to 1937. This is an interesting Luger. KFS

Karl I believe the barrel markings were ground off and it and the frame were renumbered. A real mystery, thanks for your interest. David