What is the function of this slot?
 

I'm curious as to the purpose of this part (circled) of my Mauser's frame.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Cheers,
Bob.

http://www.cameraops.com/EK1/LugerSlot.jpg

Board stock....

Ah....Thanks very much!

Bob.

Bob, Please do a search on "stock lugs" and find out the facts on legal issues with stocks if you are not already familiar with them.

Bob, also in your search you'll note at least one other application of the lug. I'll not reveal what it is; it'll be more fun for you to discover it.

I think it's cruel to keep Bobcam1 waiting.....

The "slot" is intended for the attachment of a shoulder stock thusly:

Thank you...:) I'm grateful to all who responded here, and by PM'ing me....Some of the responses led me to some interesting research...:)

Cheers,
Bob.

But what about the second use for a stock lug??

I seem to remember it was used for securing the frame during part of the manufacturing procedure, but don't remember any details.....

Neither, I'm nothing more than a reasonably read individual.

I seem to recall, however, having read somewhere that the stock lug was also used a a jig during the manufacturing process.

Can forum experts please comment?

Alan,

You are correct. It has been discussed as a possible option before, but sadly there is no conclusive evidence (like photographic evidence) that it was used that way during production.

@Tac: I've seen quite a number of recent postings where your replies are of a rather negative nature, almost appearing to attack people who did nothing wrong. I would appreciate a bit more of a 'laid back' attitude rather than giving people the idea that you are attacking them. Mutual respect is what keeps this forum a nice place.

Tac, Other than Aimco in Texas, who was the other US manufacturer? TH

If I had to guess, I believe that TAC refers to the STOEGER implementation of a LUGER .22 automatic... as far from the original creation as it was, it certainly was a Luger since the name is trademarked to Stoeger in this country...

If I am wrong in my belief... then maybe there are 3 former manufacturers of Lugers in the USA? TAC? can you expand this line of thought?

Tac,
The Mitchell Arms guns were made by Aimco. In fact, all of the stainless Lugers regardless of "brand" were made by Aimco.

Like Alan I also read that the stock lug feature was found to be helpful in holding the frame during production of the Luger. Allegedly that is the reason why this piece of the frame was retained throughout it's German manufacturing history (1913-1945). Even the Krieghoffs Lugers had it on thier frames thru 1945.

The original intention of adding the lug in 1913 was to connect the board stock, but that need ended in 1918 and the military never ordered anymore LP-08s.

It took a long time to manufacturer a Luger by Mauser, so if there was no longer any practical need for the stock lug (as the board stocks were not issued) they would have eliminated it to save time and raw material. One of the things they try to do in any manufacturing is to make the product faster and cheaper, so they try to eliminate parts and steps, if possible.

Maybe the machinery from DWM was still being used and to change it would be too expensive.

Base upon what was written above, there are no available pictures that might substantiate this theory. If the lug was not needed during manufacturing and board stocks were no longer issued with these pistols, why keep it?
Joe

I suppose my feeble brain is playing tricks on me again. I thought I had seen a photo posted here on the board of a luger held by the lug for factory assembly/finishing.