S/42 vs. 42
 

What's the difference between an s/42 code versus just a regular 42 code? Looked at a 1940 date but it was marked '42' just never seen one before...Thanks

Hi Brandon, Welcome to the forum! Both S/42 and 42 were code for Mauser. The changeover took place during 1939. Regards, Norm

Hi Brandon, and welcome to the forum.

"S/42" "42" and "byf" were all government mandated ordnance concealment codes for Mauser manufactured guns.

At specific times during WW-II the German government office responsible for such things changed codes.

After WW-I, the Versailles treaty only allowed rework or manufacture of Lugers by Simson & Co. of Suhl Germany. There is speculation that the inclusion of "S" in the earlier Mauser code was intended to encourage the mis-identification of early Mauser guns as being made or reworked by Simson. The first Mauser military Lugers were marked with "K" (1934) and "G" (1935) date codes and a S/42 toggle. Early Krieghoff Lugers were also marked with "S".

By 1940, the Germans probably no longer saw any need to include the "S"...

Marc