BYF 42 with Asterix or starburst
 

After visiting the Luger forum, I realize that no one knows for sure what the mark means. On p-38's the rework mark looks similar to this but has a more of a wagon wheel shape and always with the inspector's mark just above it. One idea is that it is a rework amrk like the p-38...one idea it was a metal test mark. Another was the idea (based off a book) that it is a end of production run mark. Some guy had the SS therory. But no one has ever seen a luger with 2 or more( I think) asterix's. It is always one, and ther are not many of them. If it was a reject mark, one would think there would be tons of them exspecially late models. It appears to be rare. Not many think it is a Polizei mark. So if I put a thought on it...I think it could be a end of production mark, based on rarity, or a metal test mark. But if it was a metal test mark, why not do it on all? So I am leaning toward th idea of production runs...on batches. That might be why they are seldom encounted. Just a thought.... any more great thoughts?

chech parts proof mark?

I heard that one too...but that would be documted. The Germans documented all maker locations...on all weapons all over Europe.

Just looking through Ed Tinkers "Police Lugers" book, there is a luger on pager 275 with this exact starburst on the barrel.

The page commenting on this symbol states that this symbol is found on many Third Reich weapons besides P08's. Speculation that this symbol is a hardness test mark is unsubstantiated.

But looking at the pictures here on this thread and the one in the book, they are exactly the same. The one in the book is a 1940 mauser used by the police in the soviet occupied sector of berlin after WWII.

Heres some pictures of that page out of the Police Lugers book. Ed and Dwight, I hope yall dont mind me sharing just a couple of photos of some of the pictures in ya'lls book, which is great reading.

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Hope this can help you out there Frank!

So far most think it was a failure test...end of run of production was my thought earlier. But someone said they saw 2 on one barrel at the Luger forum. So they really think it is a failure. But as of yet...I have seen no documenation or pics of a Luger with 2 starbursts on barrel. The odd thing...on p-38's the failure mark was placed evrywhere on gun, but on Luger...it is only on the barrel. Wierd

I have come across a reference to a similar marking in Dietert Storr's Rifle and Carbine 98. A starburst marking was used in Gew98 production at the Spandau, Erfurt, and Dresden Imperial Rifle Factories to indicate that "foreign parts"--that is, parts manufactured outside the factory--were usede in assemby of the weapon. The mark does not appear on rifles made after 1917, but it is unknown whether the use of foreign parts was discontinued or the instruction ws rescinded.

Whether this mark on Third Reich production of P08s and P38s (and others??) might be a return to the Imperial-era instruction is only the most speculative of guesswork.

--Dwight

Same weapon; different question - on the barrel there is a single waffenamt - w/no numbers, just the swastika. What is the significance of that particular mark? Govt acceptance or proor or?? I've encountered the same stamp, also on the barrel, as the only nazi marking on a DWM 1918 pistol.
Thanks in advance.

That E/S is a Nazi Military acceptance mark. Looks like that DWM pistol had the original barrel replaced. Was it numbered to the pistol?

Bob