1939 s42 vs just 42
 

I just bought my first Luger. It is an all matching including one mag 1939 S42. I'm hearing that 1939 was the demarcation point between s42's and 42's making the s42 1939 somewhat (maybe a little?) rarer thana 1938 s42.

My question is: Given the same condition, is a 1939 S42 worth any significant premium over a 1939 42?

Just learning in WI

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the forum.

There were approx. 38,500 1939 S/42 Lugers produced up until early 1939. There were approx. 85,500 1939 42 Lugers produced in the remainder of the year. Since the 1939 S/42 Lugers are fewer and harder to find, they would hold a small premium over the 42 marked Lugers, IMO.

Ron

Ron,
Thank you for the quick response. I'm competent on 1911A1's and P38's, but this Luger thing is brand new to me. I can see how much fun it is going to be getting proficient in Lugers. I'm sure I'll be getting some great reference books soon as well. I can also see this site is probably the only GunBoard more active and dynamic than the rabid HK guys.
Steve

Steve,

Most of us belong to Jan Still's board as well.

http://luger.gunboards.com/

Ron

Ron, I couln't find the answer in the FAQ yet, maybe you know it, how many 1937 S/42 lugers were produced?

Hi Andy, According to TRL there were 37,000 1st variation 1937s (strawed small parts), and 89,000 2nd variation (all blue) produced. Regards, Norm

Thanks !

IMHO the Code 42 1939 pistols are much easier to come by than their S/42 brothers. I've had several of the 1939 Code 42 variety and just recently located a 1939 S42 that was affordable. One would think that with only a two to one ratio of production that you would run on to the S/42s half as often as Code 42s, but that hasn't been my experience to date.
Lyn

Thanks Lyn. You're making me feel even better about my purchase. I hope to post pictures soon. For the what it's worth, I'll be in Phoenix in early March. What part are you located? I think the group of us will be in Peoria?
Steve

Hey Steve, I believe that the new 1939 data will show a larger differential between the S/42 and Code 42. While the total 1939 production is about 119,400, the S/42 production was about 28,900 compared to 90,500 for the S/42.

Then after that is said and done, it is difficult to tell the proper ratio that presently exists.

I agree with Lyn when he claims the S/42 is tough to come by. In fact, it was the last of the 12 major Military Mauser Lugers I was able to find.

Now you feel even better!!!! :)

I love this board. Once I get pictures up I'll give you the story on how I came to my first Luger.
Steve

Steve,
I'm in the eastern part of the valley in an area they call Auwatukee. It's a few miles from Peoria but not too far if collectors are getting together. Let me know when you are in town.
Lyn

Frank, Now I see why you said "good luck finding an "n" suffix magazine". Is the "n" suffix the first for the 1939 S/42?
Steve

Steve, the 1939 S/42 Luger Production started around 2500n, however, the 1938 S/42 Production also numbered into the about 6600n. So it's difficult to know the share between the two. I could guess, based on limited data, but it would be a real SWAG. :)

ahhh.....my baseline for understanding these alpha codes was the P38 system, which is pretty black & white. This is somewhat more complex. I do appreciate your quick willingness to share with me. You also make me feel more & more that my 1939 S/42 3873n w matching + mag was a scoop.

Should the grips be numbered?
Steve

Steve, here again you are in a transition range. My guess is that a great percentage of 1938 S/42 Grips are numbered, and most of the 1939 Code 42 Grips are NOT numbered, it's possible the 1939 S/42 Grip Numbering is a crap shoot. Although all the 1939 S/42 Lugers I own and all I have data on show the grips should be numbered. Hope this helps!!

The numbering system on Mauser P.38 pistols is the same as Mauser Lugers. Same goes for Spreewerk P.38 pistols. Only Walther P.38s were numbered from the no suffix at the beginning of each year. :)

Sorry to ask a rookie question, who is "TRL"? I take TRL wrote a book with stats. If so, is it still available?
Tks,Bill

TRL, Third Reich Lugers. Must be.

For what it may be worth, the grips on my 1939 S/42 (sn 5373 o) are not numbered and I believe them to be original to the pistol.

Thanks efljr! The grips on mine have all the right amount of wear relative to the rest of the gun and would appear to be original as well. I'm going with it.
Steve