Comparing two 1936 S/42 guns
 

Thanks, everyone, for all of the interesting and informative posts. I've wanted a Luger for a long time and this site has really helped me to get serious.

I'm really trying hard not to buy a reworked gun or one that has been messed with in any way. This will be my first Luger. I'm looking at two 1936 Mauser guns and they are quite different. One has all of its small parts blued and the other has strawing - well worn, but still there to some extent.

I'm prone to believing that the all-blue one was refinished at some point. There is just soooo much information to go through and I'm really not sure at this point.

Neither has any white paint in any of the stampings.

One appears to have a 3 digit serial number. The other has a 4 digit number.

Does any of the above point to problems with either one's authenticity?

I'm sorry that I'm unable to post pics right now, since they're not mine.

Thanks.

Hi Jim, The 1936 with blued small parts has definitely been refinished, at some point. Without photos it's impossible to assess the condition of the other gun. Regards, Norm

Jim,

As Norme pointed out an S/42 Code 1936 Nazi Military should not have blued small parts. Perhaps, since the guns are not in your possession, they may actually be S/42 Code 1937 Nazi Military ?? In which case either strawed or blued small parts can be correct depending on whether the pistol was produced early or late that year.

Thanks, guys.

Both guns are clearly stamped "1936", so the one piece is a refinish:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=176475328

Oh, well.

Actually, the gun pictured, which is the one with the strawed parts, I would consider to have been buffed and reblued as well, although perhaps long ago...

I agree that the gun in the picture shows signs of extracarricular buffing.
It doesn't seem to matter how long ago the mod. was made. Once altered the value is significantly lowered. I've bought guns directly from veterans who swore that they had never made an alteration since they have possessed the gun following the war, but the fact remains...
Now if it were me I'd chase that same seller's artillery P 08.
dju