New Purchase 1939 S/42
 

Hello,
Not a very frequent poster but a rather frequent reader of this forum.
Purchased today a 1939 S/42. Pistol is in very good condition, I would guess 85%-90% on the bluing. All numbers match including the magazine. Wood grips appear original but the only mark I see is a 0 on the inside top left grip. Serial 75xx. I paid $1275 which I suspect fair but not killer. Pistol bore is mint. Any other particulars that would help in determining this pistols value? Thanks, I enjoy this forum a great deal.
Dan

HI Dan,

As I am sure you understand, pictures of your new Luger will help quite a bit.

This can help us evaluate it more accurately.

Take them with a camera that has the ability to do close-ups (it looks like a "flower" symbol on many digital cameras) and use a tripod. Use the self timer to eliminate camera shake. Don't use flash. It blows out the highlights and prevents seeing the finish. Take them in the shade outdoors (indirect diffused light is best).

If everything is right, the price is very reasonable for an all matching (including magazine) WW-II Luger in original finish.

Get pictures of all the external marks and places where the serial number is (including the 2 digit stampings). Get a good closeup of the base of the magazine, and shots that show the profile of the curve of the base.

"The Mauser Parabellum" indicates that most 1939 S/42 and 42 code pistols had numbered wood grips, but some near mint pistols are found without an internal grip number.

Their pictured grip shows a "0" stamped near the top of the left grip.

Marc

I love the gunny!
Bob

saab-bob
Outstanding!
Jan

Tried photos
 

Hi Marc, I have always been an idiot at uploading photos. I just tried to upload 5 but they did not show up on forum. Does this indicate resolution too high? Thanks...
Dan

Your pictures ended up in your Photo ALBUM. Here they are for the posting. You have a Police Luger because it has the sear safety over the sideplate (the top will not fire if removed from the frame) Lugers that dont have the sear block (little piece of metal over the side plate) can fire with just the top secton, without the frame.
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=1993
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=1994
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=1996
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=1997
http://forum.lugerforum.com/picture....pictureid=1995

Nice buy. You probably paid three hundred dollars less than the actual value.

I think you got a great deal on a hard to find variation. Not many out there with a matching magazine.

Thanks guys. I honestly did not know it was police. I have researched a little today and will do more. As always I am very impressed with the level of expertise on various forums. Perhaps you all will chime in on a couple of questions. Several police pistols I have found have the Mauser logo on the toggle. I am guessing this is on the 42 models whereas maybe the S/42's do not have it. I read there may have been only 600 S/42 police guns made. Initially, I was disappointed that mine was not standard military. Now it seems I may have a rarer pistol due to scarcity and matching mag, etc. I found really an identical pistol on the following link http://shop.pre98.com/product.sc?productId=502. Wikipedia describes the German police as Gestapo, SIPO, etc. These guys were not writing speeding tickets. I really feel I got lucky on this one. Would anyone chime in on other likely police agencies that would have used this pistol? Would you all think this may be a unique buy, more so than an all matching military pistol? Thanks, I cannot wait to investigate this further.
Dan

Quietman, does it have any markings on the grip straps, that is the bottom section of the frame where you hold the pistol the front and back areas that are steel between the grips?
Do you have any pictures of the right side of the Luger? Especially at the right end of the receiver, just before the barrel begins?

Thor, first thanks for getting the photo's to show up. I did not quite succeed but it is the closest I have ever come. Progress. I will check tomorrow for grip strap markings. The markings are identical on right side of receiver to the one in the link above I referenced. I will try and post findings tomorrow with photos. (May fail again but will give it a go. Thanks to all.
Dan

Dan, Congratulations on a very nice Luger.

The "0" on my grips is in exactly the same place as the one on your Left grip.

The finish may look worn, and almost translucent, but that's the way the finish on my 1939 looks too. I believe it to be original.

The magazine base looks righteous and correct.

As you are able, try and get photos of the top, frame hand straps and the marks on the barrel. Also the witness mark at the base of the barrel where it's mounted to the receiver.

From my reference books there were only 2350 1939 S42 lugers issued to the police. The Mauser Banner police lugers were Banner commercials purchased by the police. I believe around 23000 were purchased. So you have a rare, hard to find police luger. I wouldn't say unique but definately rare. Probably more desired by police collectors or Mauser collectors. Congratulations you did good. Bill

Thanks mrerick and Bill. Very good news. I wasn't a collector of police Lugers but I am now. I am attempting to upload more photos as requested. Thor, I hope I don't need your help, I'll see. I do not see any marks on the grip straps but photos coming. Thanks again.
Dan

There are 5 requested photos in my album. Would anyone help me post them? Sorry for my incompetence. Thanks...Dan

My pleasure. I don't know how to link the pix in, so I download first and then upload... here are Dan's pictures

Thanks Alvin, I am getting closer to being competent, not there yet. Hope these photos help with the discussion. Dan

I might add... Don't ask him how he knows! :eek:

(Sorry Ted, I just couldn't resist... I remember when you first told us that story! :D )

:bigbye:

Edward Tinker has posted a thread that addresses that... ;)

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=25631

Dan
You did well!! I would estimate the production of 1939 S/42 police sear safety Lugers lower than 2350. Its a scarce army police Luger.
Thanks for posting
Jan