I'm new to Lugers but
 

the stickies don't tell me much. What's the signifacants of the model 42 Mauser Luger? What does the 42 stand for or represent?
Steve

If you are asking about the 42 stamped on the toggle link it is just another designation/code for Mauser. If the 42 stamp over the chamber it is the year of manufacture. Is this what you are asking?

Yes. The designation on the toggle link. What's this mean or represent? I've tried to look through several books I've collected over the years but, no explanation in there either. Code, code for what and why? I own a P.38 from WWII and have learned the Germans used codes on them to disguise factories but, I'm new to P.08s and am wondering if this is the same case? While we're at this, how about the letter with the serial number, what does this represent?
Steve

Some of this is in the FAQ - you can find that in the New Collector area http://forum.lugerforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=133

P38 / P08 - same idea behind the codes, it was to disguise the factories. Goes back to the beginning of the war. Not sure what books you have, perhaps they just assume you know? But it was a thought out, but made up code. Same with the acceptance markings (not proofs) on the right, eagle 655, eagle 63, earlier, crown N, crown B, etc.
The letters are in detail in the FAQ, but they represent each 10,000 made - so first 10k is NO letter *suffix) then next would be 1a, 2a, 3a, up to 9999a, then 1b, 2b, etc

Steve,

You are right on with the above.. The "42" marked on the toggle is the factory code that preceded "byf" which you find on 1941 and 1942 Mauser P.08 production as well as their P.38 production with which you are familiar

Just FYI, the code that preceded 42 was S/42.

That's it.

Mauser made their gun in blocks of 10,000 guns. Each block had "no suffix" or a cursive letter of the alphabet as a suffix to the number..

So the first block had no suffix, the second a, the third b and so forth. When they got to z, they started over again.

BTW, the same system was used for P.38 production.

Hope this helps.



John

Thanks to everyone for the info. I needed it! 66 and now trying to learn about Lugers.
Steve

Ed , 1 to 10.000 , not 9999 for each block