Where did "42" come from (in S/42 context)?
 

Was it factory #42 ?? Why I have never seen factory #41, nor #43.... or there were other numbers representing other factories, but I did not know?

no, it was not factory 42


It was a random code; there were hundreds of codes for hundreds of companies


Mauser used S/42 42 and byf

Thanks Ed. No wonder I have never seen 41, nor 43. The other number related with pistol was 480 on some P38.

A common theory is that the 'S' code, apart from being a year letter code for 1936 that was not officially introduced, was also part of the scheme to hide the fact that other companies than the ones that were officially allowed to manufacture were also producing arms and ammunition. In the 1930s Simson was still the only 'official' supplier and it is thought that the 'S' is an attempt to fool the outside world into thinking that Simson was involved. 42 was used to identify the actual maker, in this case Mauser.

A similar marking sequence can be found on ammunition, where Polte in Magdeburg was the only official supplier and other companies were given a 'P' code, followed by a number as well.

The sequence they used worked well, we are still confused at times :)

Alvin: I can suggest the book by Michael Heidler on the markings. The book not only shows an extensive codes list, but also a lot about the coding systems themselves, including interesting copies of original 1920s and 1930s documents. 'Deutsche Fertigungskennzeichen bis 1945'.

It can be ordered from Michael Heidler directly at: Michael Heidler [codebuch@rocketmail.com]

ps: Factory S/27 was Erma :)

Who made the S 350?:confused:

chevy?:)

I once read somewhere that the Mauser codes of S, S/42, 42 and byf evolved (and the author freely admitted that he had no factual evidence to back this up ... that it was only his theory) this way:

1) S was the original letter code given to Mauser.

2) When Mauser gets the official government contract to produce lugers it is an eight year contract
to end in 1942 so S becomes S/42.

3) In 1939 the war begins and the Nazi government wants to change the codes for manufacturers
of weapons and wants to use letters included in the name of the actual manufacturer. Until
the new code is developed the S disappears and S/42 becomes 42.

4) The Nazi government abandons the idea of using letters contained in the manufacturers name
in favor of a completely random letter code and 42 becomes byf.

Just a theory.

Hello,
that's an interesting theory. But it's wrong.

Under the Treaty of Versailles only a few companies were allowed to produce weapons, ammunition and equipment for the German Army and Police.

The only gun manufacturer was Simson & Co., located in Suhl/Thuringia.

To cover all the other illegal manufacturers, the government gave official letter codes to the legal companies, like "S" to Simsons (guns), "P" to Polte (ammunition), and so on.

The illegal companies used this letters to cover their production and added an secret number to them. So Mauser used the "S" for "Simson" and "42" as it's own number. The Allied controll commissions only noticed the "S" and thought that the manufacturer is Simson & Co.

With best wishes
Michael


Oh sorry, I haven't noticed the one post explaining the same ...

Are you referring to the S toggles? If so, then that is a wrong assumption.

This theory of the S meaning Simson for the S/42 is in the new Mauser book. I am still not convinced, as it seems every time an 'S' is used it is attributed to Simson, so I need a lot more convincing.

The Allied commission was gone in 1927, so why would they feel the need to use the Simson 'S'?

You see the S as a date code also, Kreighoff S dates and then you see the skryptic S on the k dates, and then later the S/42 on mauser.

The germans did hide their companies under codes to confuse the enemy; but the 's', being for Simson, well, I need more documentation.


Ed

Wasn't the 'S' code reserved for the Spandau manufactured Lugers???

Hmm, always thought it was the 'S' for Springfield.

42 = the meaning of life, the universe and everything. That makes sense. To an IT-person at least :D

...and thanks for all the fish! :roflmao:

you guys are a riot! But you are probably confusing the new folks who don't know you are kidding!

The "S" stood for "Secret" production. It was in English to further confuse the Allied Commision!

Well, if the purpose of the code was to confuse ... it looks like it's still workin'.