New member with a First Luger - Indiana
 

Hello fellow gun nuts!
I am a newbie to the forum and also a newbie Luger owner.
I have been looking for a while and ended up getting one today. Just not totally sure what variation I have.
1937 with 42 on the toggle but no "s/" in front of the 42.
All matching.
Looks like it has the Black Widow grips on it though.

I'll post some pics once I figure that out.

Thanks!

welcome to the forum - using an IPad with auto correct :)

Pictures, serial number with suffix are needed to help

Otherwise, we can say, you have a Mauser made in 1937 and we assume its all matching :)

Ed

The '42' code didn't start until 1939. The numbers may match but the toggle is for a later made Luger.

Correct. Also to early for black grips. Bill

HI Russ, and welcome to the forum.

Your picture is sized too small to see any detail. Try posting with about 1024 pixels across.

As already mentioned, your Luger was assembled from parts that are not installed by the factory for that year of production. It is considered a shooter grade Luger regardless of the numbers you see on the parts.

Marc

Better pics of the Luger 1937
 

I think I have the photos figured out.

W:
Congratulations, looks like a great shooter! It has been switched around over the years, but it looks good. How does it shoot?
dju

Thanks!

As far as a 'switched around' what exactly do you see? (Just learning) I know the grips are incorrect and I will be looking for period correct wood grips.

I have not shot it yet. Picked it up this past Tuesday and have been too busy with fire investigations to have any daylight left when I return home.

Don't pour money into changing your new Luger. It has been refinished as well (the WaffenAmt inspection marks are scrubbed off the right front of the receiver).

The Crown/U inspection mark on the left is likely a VoPo rework inspection mark. It's possible that the twenty in a box was applied at that time also (I have not seen that mark before).

You have a very nice shooter, and it should function well...

Is there a "69" stamped inside the trigger plate? If so, the grips and magazine may be the only parts substituted.

It's unusual to find the sear safety block blued. They normally stayed in the white. This makes me wonder if this Luger was dip refinished, which was often done by the Russians and VoPo.

Is there an "X" stamped anywhere - perhaps on the rear axle pin?

Marc

Thanks for the info and kind words Mark.

I thought the right side had been scrubbed too. I thought the "20" was really odd. The only reason for the "new" grips would be because the left side is broken where the web of my hand goes and it kinda cuts into the skin.

You asked about my "switched around" remark. I am referring to the black grips, probably the magazine, the black finish, and the "42" center toggle link. These guns were reworked to function, not be original. That is why I say you have a fine shooter.
dju

The double crown over U is the correct commercial proofing for 1939, but I would have expected it to have a Mauser Banner center toggle link, vise the military code 42. The grips are Portugese replacements. if they also reworked the pistol, there may be some Portugese proof under the barrel. Check it out. Tom

Your grips are also not original, but poorly made castings.

Marc- the number stamped inside the trigger plate is "68" and I do not see an "X" anywhere on the gun.

Lugerdoc- I find no proof stamp under the barrel that you are referring to. (Portuguese)

DJU- thank you.