K date B90 3856 a magazine
 

I have come by a gorgeous K date B90 3856 a magazine, nickle body, aluminum base, blued pin.
Just thought I would check and see if any members had the matching pistol out there!
Jerry Burney

Hi Jerry,
I have g date #4288a B90 - S91 proofs. It sure would look better than the SE/63 that's in it now. Please let me know if you want to part with it.
Mike C.

Mike, Yes, it will be for sale sooner or later if no one has the matching pistol. I also have a 1934 G date holster and a G date W54 tool I will be offering on the Forum. All three came together.
Jerry Burney

Jerry check your PM
Mike

My sincere apologies! This mag is actually for a K date not a G according to Costanzo's World of Lugers.
Sorry for the mixup!
Jerry Burney

Jerry,
I don't have Costanzo's World of Lugers. Could you please tell me the difference between the two... K date, G date, so I'll know what to look for.
Thanks,
Mike C.

Mike, The differences are hard to just tell...it's a little more complicated than that. Hell I'll give it a try.
The box that incloses the B90 is a simple box on the G date. The numerals, 9 & 0 are square bottomed. On later G dates, the S91 this all changes!
On the K date there are little wings flaring off on all 4 corners of the box and the numerals are rounded.
It really is a bit complicated and page 161 of The World of Lugers is a must!
Let me know your snail mail address and I can shoot you a copy unless someone here knows how to post it?

It appears that the tool I have, a W154 is a G date and the 1934 holster I aquired is for a G or a K date pistol.

Jerry Burney

Jerry -

I have sent you a private message.

Mauser720 - Ron

Hey Jerry, 3658 "a" is a little late for a K-Date!! I would think you were right the first time! It's a G-Date!

Frank, Do me a favor and look in Costanzo...He is very specific about these markings there. It is a bit confusing to be sure! That's what I like about aquiring things like this..while I have them I get a good solid lesson and am able to study the subject.
Always a student, Jerry Burney

Jerry,
I've seen those proofs in other references, but it wasn't specific as to what it belonged to.
Thanks
Mike C.

Hi Jerry, I did take a look at "World of Lugers". My comment was mainly based on the serial number. My highest recorded (confirmed) K Date is 1041a, but I have an unconfirmed K Date of 1513a. Both are lower than your magazine, 3658a. Let me do a little investigation. I have several K Date Magazines and two G Date Lugers with matching magazines in the "a" suffix. I'll try to do some scans and get back.

Frank, Thanks! Another collector and yourself have used serial numbers to date this magazine. I have not had time to investigate this avenue. I just used Costanzo and his explanations. It is a fascinating subject but one I am unfamiliar with.
Jerry Burney