Handed Down WW II Luger
 

I know very little about the gun. I know it was taken from a dead German officer by my Uncle. Any comments or information appreciated.
On the top of the gun I see S/42 1938 and 97
On one side I see 7307 97 97 97
On the front of the frame I see 7307 and under that something that looks like a cursive f.
The 9 sometimes looks like 0 or even 8. Hard to tell.
On the other side I see some symbols that are very difficult for me to make out.
Any additional info appreciated.

I'm new here as well but I can say they'll need to see the top of the Luger for the manufacturer and as many other markings as you can provide, especially the ones in the front right hand side by the barrel. Also whether or not the serial number is 4 or 5 digits long.

I can tell it's a Mauser Military..1939-40 Your Uncle must have modified it with the plexiglass grips.

Jerry Burney

Welcome. That is a real war trophy you have there! You could replace the grips with original ones to put the gun right, but if it were me, I would leave them just like your Uncle left them.

Clark

additional information
 

On the top of the gun I see S/42 1938 and 97
On one side I see 7307 97 97 97
On the front of the frame I see 7307 and under that something that looks like a cursive f.
The 9 sometimes looks like 0 or even 8. Hard to tell.
On the other side I see some symbols that are very difficult for me to make out.
Any additional info appreciated.

Ok, I can tell you that it is a Mauser made (code name S/42) made in 1938 (date) and the serial number is almost surely 7397f, as the last two of the serial number is the numbers seen throughout the gun.

The plexiglass grips were not an uncommon item to put on a captured pistol, I have seen them on a Femaru, many lugers, Nambu's and even a 1911A1 (US bring back) and others.

The eagle and such on the right side are proof and acceptance markings, showing it was ok by the military and the factory for issue.


Ed

Nice war souvenir.

The gun has what are called sweetheart grips on it. These were typically made from the Plexiglas of downed war planes. The sweetheart aspect comes from the fact that GIs used to put pictures of their sweetheart or family or favorite dog, etc. under the grip. Or they used pin-ups of the Hollywood Stars of the day like Betty Grable.

Not that uncommon. Carving these grips seems to have been a favorite past time of some GIs.

John