1936 S/42 Trigger Plate Stamp
 

Hello all. I have an opportunity to purchase a really nice 1936 S/42 that is being described as 'all numbers matching'. My understanding based on research is that the trigger plate (side plate) should be stamped with the last two digits of the serial number. The plate on this gun has the stamp in the below photo. It looks like an upper case B with a crown over the top. Is this original to the gun or has the plate been changed? Thank you for the help.

Hi Brian, That side-plate is not original to the gun. It is from an Erfurt Luger made in 1918 or earlier.
Regards, Norm

And further scrubbed to remove the Erfurt serial number ending.

Judging by the rainbow color, give it the sniff test for cold bluing...
It may be an otherwise nice gun, but this "flaw" hurts its collector value considerably.
dju

Mauser made side plates were stamped to match the Luger on both the outside and inside. The outside had the last two digits of the serial number. The inside had either the first one or two digits, or the first one or two digits plus one. For example, a gun with serial number "757x" would have "57" on the outside of the plate, and "7" or "8" on the inside.

There will be one plate out of 10,000 that matches your gun.

For that reason, I'd recommend you not assume it will be easy (or even reasonably possible) to find a matching plate later.

The "dealer" or "seller" has also misrepresented the gun. Always take that into consideration before dealing with someone.

Marc

Thank you all for the responses. I will pass on this one. It's a bummer because other than this plate, the gun is in incredible condition and matching otherwise. Time to move on and keep looking.

Marc,

Whereabouts on the inside of the plate would the additional numerals be stamped? Could you post some pics to show the details? Thanks.

Interior Side Plate Serial Numbers
 

Sure, They were applied by hand, so could be anywhere in the large open field that was milled out of the center of the plate. Here are some examples from Mauser Lugers ranging from 1937 through 1942.

Note that some plates were numbered with the first one or two digits of the serial number; some plates added one to the first one or two digits, and some plates (especially later) were not numbered inside.