Uncle's 1936 S/42
 

My Aunt gave this to me which was brought back from War by Uncle. Would like to verify what it is and value. Right Rec has 3 eagles with 63 under first two. There is a proof mark on barrell but very hard to make out. All numbers match the 9539 serial # with a small letter L in script under the serial # under the barrell. The clip has an eagle 37 at top and 122 over eagle 37 at the bottom of the left side blue metal. Bottom of clip in silver colored metal has an eagle 37 over #8004 over small scipt letter b over a + sign. Showed it to gunsmith who looked it over and test fired...indicated would grade 95 to 98%; will try to post some photos soon. Thank you for any imput!

Welcome to the Luger Forum!

Your 1936 Luger is very desirable. It is considered one of the better Mauser Lugers. It was completed about August 1939.

Your magazine was issued to a 1940 Code 42 Luger and is one of the best Luger Magazines produced.

Looks like you have a winner!

Photos
 

Thank you for the favor of the information. I have attached a few photos....this is a military luger correct? Any estimates of value would be most appreciated.

Hi Marc,
I think Frank meant to say your Luger was completed August 1936.
It is a military issue.
S/42 is the code for Mauser.
I beleive it is reblued. It should be rust blued and the small parts should be strawed (straw color). This decreases the value. My guesstimate is around $800. If it were all original, around $1800.

Thank you ....would any gunsmith be able to tell me if it has been re-blued or most likely need to have good amount of knowledge of Luger's. If this has been reblued is just considered shooter's quality?

Hi Marc, It's hard to be sure from your photos, but if your gun's trigger and safety lever are blued, not light yellow (straw) color, then the gun has definitely been refinished. You don't need a gunsmith to tell you that. I, too, would like to welcome you to the forum. Regards, Norm.

Thank you....my gun has been refinished at some point. I also took the grips off and the inside metal is blued, is that also a way to tell if my gun was reblued or only difinitive on Imperial lugers? Refinishing from what I have been able to gleam so far in the forum makes mine shooter's quality....is that correct? THANKS again for all the great information.

Hi Marc, I think the estimate that Mike (MFC) gave you, of $800.00, is right on the money. Regards, Norm

Thanks again to all of you that helped me determine what I have!

A couple of things here - and maybe I'm a little off but here goes:
1. The parts that are supposed to be strawed appear strawed in the photos to me.
2. Were they still rust bluing in 1936? I think that, by that time, they had switched to hot bluing, which would make the pistol blue inside and out.
Bob

The switch from rust blue to hot salt blue occured in 1937. The interior should be in the white, not blued. The small parts should be strawed, not blued on this pistol. It is a nice looking Mauser for sure.