Variations of 42 code lugers
 

VARIATIONS OF 1939, 1940, AND 41 DATED 42 CODE ARMY LUGERS IN WORD AND PICTURE
(Note: not detailed in this discussion are 42 Code Lugers procured by the Luftwaffe and Navy.)

Based on information supplied by the collectors of the German Lugers, Central Powers, and Axis Pistols Forum.
Copyright 2010 by Jan C Still

Mausers 42 manufacturing code replaced the S/42 code in early 1939. Its use continued until early 1941. All 42 code Lugers bear the late Test Proof (LTP) and have a bore gauge. The magazines bodies are crimped blued sheet metal or blued extruded center pinned.

1939 42 CODE VARIATIONS
Note: extruded blued center pinned magazines are not reported matched to1939 42 Code Lugers.
Acceptance Stamp Variations
The right receiver acceptance stamps determine the 1939 42 Code markings variations. They are as follows:
SE63 SE63 LTP reported serial range 2455q-3380w (estimated production 60,925)*
*Note: the sizes of the SE63 SE63 acceptance stamps vary in the 2455q-6461q serial range. These size variations not detailed in this analysis.
SE63 SE655 LTP reported serial range 4540w-6269w (estimated production 2,000)
SE655 SE655 LTP reported serial range 7352w-5394z (estimated production 28,049)
*
Figure 1. Right side of 1939 42 Code Lugers. Top to bottom:
1939 42 Code sn 2233r; SE/63 (large) SE/63 (large) LTP; wood grips,
1939 42 Code sn 4540w; SE/63 SE/655 LTP; wood grips.
1939 42 Code sn 3568z; SE/655 SE/655 LTP; wood grips.
Changes in acceptance stamps determine 1939 42 Code Variations.

Figure 2. Tops of 1939 42 Code Lugers. Top to bottom: sn 2233r, sn 4540w, and sn 3568z

Figure 3. Barrel and frame serial numbers of 1939 42 Code Lugers. There is no letter suffix on the barrel. All have a barrel gauge: 8,83; 8,82; and 8,81.

Figure 4a. Left slant 1939 42 Code, sn 2233r. The left barrel acceptance stamp is SE63.

Figure 4b. Left side 1939 42 Code, sn 2233r with capture paper. Lt. John D. Gillis captured this pistol. He took binoculars off a dead German and another soldier removed this luger. At bivouac that night the other soldier traded the Luger for the binoculars. This is how Lt. John D. Gillis captured this pistol. The certificate for this pistol was signed over 70 years ago by Lt. John D. Gillis and his pistol is listed as Ger. Luger Ser. No. 2233 Model 1939. It was approved by Captain Infantry Lester V. Clinkenbeard of the 291Inf. Reg.
*

Figure 5a. Left slant 1939 42 Code, sn 4540w. The left barrel acceptance stamp is SE63.

Figure 5b. 1939 42 Code, sn 4540w, crimped blued matching magazine. It has a crimped blued case and its bottom is marked 4540 / w / + / SE63.

Figure 6a. Left slant 1939 42 Code, sn 3568z. The left barrel acceptance stamp is SE655.
Figure 6b. Left slant 1939 42 Code, sn 3568z. It has two crimped blued matching magazines. One is marked 3568 / z / SE655; the other is marked 3568 / z / + / SE655.
*

Figure 7. 1939 42 Code, sn 2233r, details of SE/63 SE/63 right receiver acceptance stamps. In most cases the receiver was polished/blued after application of the acceptance stamps and proofs. These are often more washed out in comparison to the barrel acceptance stamps and proofs. (sorry at bottom)

Figure 8. 1939 42 Code, sn 4540w, details of SE/63 SE/655 right receiver acceptance stamps.

Figure 9. 1939 42 Code, sn 3368z, details of SE/655 SE/655 right receiver acceptance stamps.

Figure 10. Inside surface of Grips.
1939 42 Code, sn 2233r, SE/63 SE/63, wood grips with no markings.
1939 42 Code, sn 4540w, SE/63 SE/655, wood grips, tiny SE/655
1939 42 Code, sn 3368z, SE/655 SE/655, wood grips, no markings
*
Jan
[B]

1940 AND 41 DATED 42 CODE VARIATIONS
The 42 manufacturing code continued to be used by Mauser on Army contract Lugers until early 1941. All have SE/655 SE/655 acceptance stamps and the late Test Proof (LTP) on their right receiver.

Those manufactured in 1940 bear the full date 1940 and have a serial range of 5932z – 82xxn. Approximately 138,000 were manufactured.

Those manufactured in early1941 have a two digit date 41 and a P.08 stamped with a round dot on the left frame panel. Their serial range is 2176n-4490o with a few scattered in the “p”, “q” and “r’ suffix serial range. Serial range overlap with 1940 42 and byf 41. Approximately 11,500 were manufactured.

There is considerable overlap in serial range between 1940 42 Code, 41 42 Code and 41byf Code.

Both blued crimped and blued extruded center pinned magazines reported. The 41 dated variation is mostly found with blued extruded center pinned magazines.

Bakelite grips and wood grips
Almost all 1940 42 Code and 41 42 Code Lugers have wood grips. A very few have black bakelite grips. While most likely the black grips were added at manufacture, some collectors contend that these were replacement grips.

Acceptance Stamps
The right receiver acceptance stamps for 1940 42 Code and 41 42 Code Lugers are SE655 SE655 LTP

Figure 1. Left side view of 1940 and 41 dated 42 Code Lugers. Top to bottom:
1940 42 Code, serial number 3369h with left barrel acceptance of SE655
41 42 Code, serial number 2977o with P.08 with round period on left frame. It has left barrel acceptance of SE655

Figure 2. Tops of 1940 and 41 dated 42 Code Lugers. Top to bottom: serial number 3369h and
serial number 2977o..

Figure 3. Barrel and front frame serial numbers of 1940 and 41 dated 42 Code Lugers. Left to right serial number 3369h and serial number 2977o. There is no letter suffix on the barrel. All have a barrel gauge: 8,81 and 8,82.

Figure 4a. Matching magazine bottoms 1940 42 Code, 3369 / h; and 41 42 Code 2977 / o
*
Figure 4b. Left side of matching extruded blued center pinned magazines. They are stamped with E/37 122 E/37 acceptance stamps.

Figure 5. Right slant view 1940 42 code, sn 3369h. .

Figure 6. Right slant view 41 42 Code, sn 2977o.

Figure 7. 1940 42 Code, sn 3369h, details of SE/655 SE/655 right receiver acceptance stamps. In most cases the receiver was polished/blued after application of the acceptance stamps and proofs. These are often more washed out in comparison to the barrel acceptance stamps and proofs.

Figure 8. 41 42 Code, sn 2977o, details of SE/655 SE/655 right receiver acceptance stamps.

Figure 9. Inside surface of Grips.
1940 42 Code, sn 3369h SE/655 SE/655 wood grips with no markings.
41 42 Code, sn 2977o, SE/655 SE/655, wood grips with O and W worker stamps

42 code Luger serial number data in links below:
1939 S/42 and 1939 42 DATA REQUEST (Multi-page thread 1 2)Jan C Still http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=11442

1940/1941 DATES MILITARY CODES 42 and byf DATA http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=3695

Note: comments, corrections, criticism, additions or updates greatly appreciated.
Jan

Jan -- A newbie question: when did Mauser drop the number on their grip panels? Thanks!

Hi Jan, Wow, thats a lot of valuable data to digest. Is all this going to be in your new book, or should I down load this post? By the way, your photography is superb. Best regards, Norm

Norm
All this information and some additional is in the new book.
Janl

The subject of numbering on grip might be a complex one. Hint: I did not find it in past version of "3rd Reich" book. Probably missed the a page?? Sorry to raise it again.

Jan,
Great information on 42 code Lugers.
I find the early 1940-42 magazines interesting with E/37 stamps on both the bases and the bodies.

Tom

Hi Jan,
I have 1940 42 code Luger with s/n 9846z which is outside the range you propose for 1940 production. In case it could be of interest to you...
Best regards

darde
Sorry I do not see your problem!
Jan Still said above: "Those manufactured in 1940 bear the full date 1940 and have a serial range of 5932z – 82xxn.

Your Luger "1940 42 code Luger with s/n 9846z" fits in that serial range.
Jan

Jan, is this new book already printed or are you going to published in the future ?
Alf.

1940-42 Grips
 

Jan, several years ago I purchased a 1940 42 sn. 1389n from Simpson LTD. It has brown plastic Krieghoff grips. It was sold to me as all origanal. I've read from several sources that both brown and black plastic grips were installed on >%10 of 1940 42s and 41 42s due to unavailability of walnut. What is your opinion on this? Thanks, MR.

marshombre
A few other 1940 42 code Lugers have brown plastic Krieghoff style grips. Your 1940 42, sn 1389n , with brown plastic Krieghoff grips is almost certainly correct.
It is a very rare variation.
Jan

Greetings,
For what it's worth, I have a 1940 dated 42 code with serial number 2046n. It has black plastic grips and a matching magazine. The Luger is in excellent condition; I would say probably a 95% pistol. That serial number indicates that only 657 Lugers were built between it and the above 1389n. I have wondered if the black grips on my Luger were originally installed or a later replacement.

Mike

N00B Luger owner with SN question
 

I have hopefully a plain question for your site. I have a 1940 code 42 Luger. All SN match except the magazine( yea I know kind of common). My question is my SN shows as 269 with the standard 69 on all other parts should this not be a 4 digit number minimum? The serial number has no alfa character with it as well. It does have what looks to be a cursive style C slightly below the SN and centered below it. It does have the standard military marking with the 655 on it. The 269 serial number really throws me since it is only three numbers and not four.

If you need more detail please just ask. If you could also point me in a direction of how I could authenticate this Luger I would be grateful

Any information would be helpful.

I am trying to upload a picture so you might beable to help more.

Eric,
Lugers were numbered starting with number "1" and ending with 9999. Then the next block was the same except for the addition of "a" suffix. This continued through the alphabet until that production run was finished. Having only three digits is not at all uncommon.

Mike

[IMG]C:\Users\Eric\Desktop\Luger269.jpg[/IMG]

Ok much appricated, I just tried to upload an image to better explain myself.

TYVM for the info

The serial number does have an alfa character with it, it is the cursive style C slightly below the SN. Since the letter is a multiplier of 10,000 the serial number of your gun, 269c, equates to 30,269.

Ron

Would you mind clarifying "If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction "? Chamber shows year as 1940. So I am a bit confused. Again sorry this is my first gun so this is all new to me.

Thanks,

Eric