matching #'s on sideplate
 

I have a "numbers matching" 1939 S/42. However, on the inside of the sideplate, a number is stamped that is different from the number on the outside. The wear on the sideplate is equal to the wear on the rest of the pistol. Has anyone seen this before, or is my sideplate a forgery? The fonts appear to be correct. I really don't care since I didn't pay all that much for the gun, but I'd like to know.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Is the number on the outside of the sideplate the same as the rest of the gun's?.
I know there are assembly numbers on the inside of the plates that are not the same as the pistol's serial/assembly numbers.

As long as the outside number matches and does not appear to be forced I think you are ok.

Thanks very much for the reply. The outside number is the same as the rest of the numbers on the gun. The inside stamping is a much smaller font, but is a 2 digit number. I didn't know if they used assembly numbers like that.

Are the two digits on the back of the plate close in sequence to the first two digits in your pistol's four digit serial number?

It is common that the two digits on the inside of Mauser made Luger sideplates are one digit different from the first two digits of the gun's serial number... I don't know anyone who knows the story behind that numbering ...

My gun's serial number is 9225, with a letter. The number on the outside of the sideplate is 25, and the inside number is 93, as Mr. Sabato stated. I'm feeling pretty confident that I got a deal on this gun. All matching numbers, including one mag, and a brown Frost & Jahnel holster dated 1940 for $750. I'm not very good at percentage grading, but I'll say 80% conservatively.

Tom, Sounds right to me. TH