M1940 Lahti Need Comments/Opinions
 

Have some questions about this M1940 I found in a gun store this afternoon. Very near closing time -- picture quality a bit off -- had to hurry.

Areas of concern

No serial number on frame ? Pictures of others I have seen show SN on receiver and frame. Was the frame SN sometimes on the inside ?

There is a very small pin size hole on the rear of the frame -- is this an armory mark ? Hole goes all the way through the frame -- it was drilled I think.

Other comments: there are old scuffing/scrapping marks on the left side of the rear sight, top of the frame on left side and on the barrel on the left side. All have been smoothed to some extent and then the pistol was reblued I think.

There is a small crown stamp in several locations on the small parts -- some are shown.

There are no markings on the barrel -- no marks on the front of the receiver -- no import marks that I can see.

The acceptance mark is a Crown over HV ( picture is not clear)

The pistol comes with a good condition correct holster with 2 xtra clips, cleaning rod, oiler, gun tool. I believe all three clips to be correct -- none are marked.

Any insights would be appreciated -- exspecially about the SN and frame pin hole.

Thanks,
Wayne

I don't know this. But if the one in the following link is original (I believe so), then the one posted by you is a reworked gun (I also believe so). The look and feel difference between yours and his is too big:

Here is the reference gun:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=522058721

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[Edit] Another seller has better picture showing how these numbers should look like, his picture #7 and #8 were well taken. This is probably a better reference for comparison:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=521508151

Alvin, thanks for your reply. I can find no reference that does not indicate that the SN should be on the frame as well as the receiver. However, when I was looking at the pistol yesterday I could not see any indication that the frame had been scrubbed where the SN should have been. I am going back to the gun shop today and break the pistol down and see if there is a SN on the inside of the frame. From what I understand the Danish Police pistol SN's start at 5001. I figure it is either an oddity or a put together parts gun -- if there is a SN on the inside of the frame that would be interesting !!

Thanks,
Wayne


FOLLOW - UP -- Pictures are not the best.

Inspection of the frame after breakdown revealed a definite "D5" on top of the frame well front wall -- the other numbers ("198" ?) were worn away to the point of not being readable.

Also found four hardness test points and either the letter "I" or the number "1" -- inspector code marks most likely ??

Thanks,
Wayne

I recently bought a Swedish made commercial Lahti. Post is at:

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=34922

You can compare the edge appearance to the one you're looking at. Softness and roundness would point to refinishing and buffing.

I don't know what the Danish serialization requirements were.

From the reblued pitting on the slide and the significantly muddled manufacturer's stamp and serial number, there is no question that this pistol has been HEAVILY buffed and reblued.

Mrerick, thanks for your reply -- your Swedish Lahti is a beauty !! No doubt the one I am looking at has been buffed and reblued - my main concern centers around the absence of the SN on the frame. Perhaps a blank frame could have been matted to a marked receiver ?? More and more I am thinking it is a parts/refurbish gun.

Thanks,
Wayne

Remember that ATF regulations require a serial number on the frame. If it's been removed, it might be a legal issue.

Alanint, thanks for your reply. For sure the pistol has been buffed and reblued. Is it possible to buff/scrub stamped frame numbers to the point of complete elimination and not have a noticeable indentation ??

Thanks,
Wayne

Thanks Mrerick ! Yes, that is certainly a concern of mine which is why I am going to go and break the pistol down and see if there is a SN on the inside of the frame. Makes no sense to me that someone would get rid of one SN and not the other or to not replace the removed number with another to make the gun seemingly correct -- not attract immediate attention.

Thanks,
Wayne