Mauser 42 code 1940 Grips Question
 

Another neophyte question: Should original wood grips on a Mauser 42 code 1940 be numbered or, only contain waffenamt acceptance proofs?

Thanks for any replies.

Lance,

Welcome to the Forum.

Well, the answer is any of the above, including an option that Brown Bakelite grip panels could be used.

Seriously, most 1940 production is found with serialized grip panels but some have only Eagle 655 stamps. Both are considered correct. And to complicate things further, its clear from research that Mauser did not necessarily serialize every grip panel that left the factory.

The brown Bakelite panels are seen in letter suffixes y and d and g through k. These were surplus grip panels acquired by Mauser from Krieghoff once Krieghoff had completed their first Luftwaffee contract.

Hope this helps.

John

It helps enormously, John. Thank you very much for both the welcome and the comprehensive answer.

The depth and breadth of knowledge that can be found here astonishes me. Thanks again for your response.

.

My 1940 S42 has wood grips. I pulled them off to check and they have waffenamt proofs and serial numbers.

David

It seems to be very varied. Some serialed, some proofed only and some blank. If they match the condition of the rest of the luger they may well be correct. Bill

Another new collector question: Does the Waffenamts on the grips have to match the gun's Waffenamts? (Eg. E/655 etc)

David,

This thread answers questions regarding a 1940 code 42 Mauser made P.08 and all the answers apply to that particular year.

I notice that you report your 1940 P.08 has a S/42 toggle link?? The S/42 Mauser manufacturer code toggle was changed in mid-1939 to 42 and all production had the 42 link until 1941 when it was changed to byf.

So I guess it was a typo? Or if not, you have an example of out of cycle manufacture or a replacement. Thoughts?

John

Brian.

The short answer is "yes" if there is to be any claim that the gun is correct and/or original.

The presence of the last two digits of the serial number is of course most definitive of originality, especially on early Mauser production when serialization was the norm. Later, things changed as serialization of grips became sporadic. And of course, it is always good to just use your eyes and insure that the grips and the condition of the gun are consistent.

But there is also a long answer because on some occasions there were multiple Waffenampts in use at Mauser at the same time. In which case that answer could be "no" or"maybe".

Wooden grips are thin and fragile and these were war guns not museum or collector pieces. Grips were often broken and replaced with spare grips which like armorer replacement magazines had only a Waffenampt on them. Or if a later replacement, even plastic which have no markings at all.

I would take the short answer. :)

John

The acceptance stamps were associated with a lead government inspector by number. During 1940, at Mauser Oberndorf the inspector was number 655. That inspector left Mauser in 1941 and was replaced by inspector 135. Later in 1943, the Eagle over number dies were changed to Eagle over WaA135 dies.

The codes are listed here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffenamt_codes

Parts were inspected and accepted in batches. It's certainly possible for parts from an earlier inspection batch to be used in a later manufactured pistol.

John - yes it is a typo. My 1940 has only a 42 code.

Sincerely,
David