Aakk!!! Need help from the experten!!!
 

Hi all,

Yes, I'm shouting. Here's why.

Just got back from my local gun emporium where they had the following:

Luger S/42 1939
Serial 6416k (I think it's a k)
All correct proofs, waffenamts
1 matching mag, black tube, aluminum bottom
1 not matching mag, same as above
Holster dated 1939
Marked tool

Gun, holster, tool, 2 mags in excellent shape, I'd say 98% for the gun (good bore, looks unused). Story is it is a bring back from a guy moving into a retirement community.

They want $1750.00

Here's the catch: All matching EXCEPT the sideplate! AAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!

The gun is 6416k, the sideplate is 92.

Would you buy it? What are the odds that I can find a 16-marked sideplate to complete it? Anybody got a "spare" 16-marked sideplate they want to sell?

Need some advice guys! I've wanted an S/42 code for a long tiime. Thanks for looking.

Weasel

I think it's about $750 too much without a matching sideplate. And that is when the holster is in a good condition. Finding a sideplate with the right number is one thing, finding one with the correct inner number and correct timeframe will be a far greater challenge.

Weasel...The pistol may not even function without the right sideplate. These are awfully finicky. It's my belief they were hand fitted. The thing you have to ask yourself...Can I sell this pistol for what I have in it? The mismatched sideplate is a big problem. ANY mismatched part is a problem but a sideplate is THE biggest.
Even if you did find a correctly #rd plate..it may not fit.
One matching mag is a BIG plus but a mismatched sideplate trumps that.

I would ask this dealer to ask the old timer if he had any other Lugers? Perhaps he gave or sold another and had mixed up the sideplates? Might be a longshot but I would want to hear what the old Vet has to say....

Jerry Burney

It's not very hard to find a sideplate with that number. After all, it has only two digits on it. Let's assume you can find a sideplate with that number in correct typeface, and the gun works fine with that "matching" sideplate on it. The problem is after spending $1750, you still have to do this!

Alvin et al, Just finding a sideplate #16 doesn't make it matching. To be a match, it has to be numbered 65 (one higher than first 2 digits) on the inside, have the correct die set and salt blue finish. TH

Amen to what LugerDOC says... without meeting all the conditions he specified, just a sideplate with 16 on it won't make it MATCHING. Too much money for a mismatch. $1000 tops and only if it has not been refinished.

Looks like a concensus has been reached
 

Hi,

Guess I just saved $1750. I'm still in pain about it tho. Beautiful rig. Aside from the sideplate, the only thing missing is the soldier who carried it.

Lugerdoc, thank's for the info on the number inside the sideplate. I did not know about that. I looked on my byf 42 and sure enough, first two digits plus 1. That revelation made up my mind. I'd never find a sideplate with TWO matching numbers.

Thanks to all for the comments.

Weasel

You should get it and sell it to Jerry Burney. He'll manage to find the original side plate for it...
DJU