Frankenluger (or maybe Mauserhoff?)
 

Greetings - just joined the other day - have stuck my nose under the tent occasionally in the past, but since I have now officially become a Luger owner, figured I'd better make myself legit.

Long story short, got two from my my Grandfather's collection, even though he died 35 years ago.... Anyway, up until a couple days ago, I thought I had a commercial American Eagle and a Krieghoff 1936. Now, I'm pretty sure I have a comm. American Eagle, but the Krieghoff appears to be a Mauser with a Krieghoff front toggle. Oh, well.

I need to post some pics so I can get some help verifying my assumptions, but I'm on an iPad so I have no easy way to resize the pics. I'll try one and if it's too large I'll crank up the laptop and shrink em a bit. Like I said, I'm pretty sure it's a Mauser marked "1936" over the chamber, all numbered parts match, but somewhere in its past someone swapped in a Krieghoff. toggle and brown Bakelite grip panels. That's my guess. Anyone able to confirm.

THANKS!!

I can post then one at a time..... If that's a problem, let me know and I'll shrink them down.

And it's obvious I didn't take the pics as recommended - but considering it's rained here for like the last week, it was the best I could do.

And it seems the site's software automatically rotates pics to horizontal, so I will apologize now for sideways pics...

I'll just post a couple more...

One more again....

And here's the shot that got my hopes up.....

I've got more pics, but this oughta be enough to prove this one has been messed with...... If in the slim chance I can find an S/42 numbered 44 forward toggle, would that get it about back to where it should be??

Thanks

Robert

I think you're right, I need to look and see when Mauser had the mauser hump - I believe later.

Finding a #44 toggle was a lucky chance - need to see if Krieghoff 44 looks the same as Mauser?

If you could find a toggle that was S/42 and #44 it would be 'correct' - never really original. Although I would do the same thing...

Thanks for the speedy reply. As for swapping the toggle - not trying to get it right for selling, due to from where I got it...... But it's gonna bug the crap outta me now that I know it's not right.

I have several nice S/42 marked mid toggle links, but no #44. Your may want to check the markings on your breech block; if E/2 that would also be KH and should be replaced with a Mauser. TH

Copy that. It did occur to me that the whole toggle linkage may have been swapped....... Jerks. I think I have checkered walnut grips - may not the correct ones, but closer than the Bakelite.

Those are likely type 1 (very early) plastic grips. They are rare and are very valuable. Think a few hundred dollars. They were used by Krieghoff and (in a very limited way) tested at Mauser.

The Mauser "hump" started in mid 1937.

Take a look inside the side plate and see if the number "62" or "63" is in there. If so, it's a matching Mauser plate. IIRC a few that year might not have numbers inside.

All the numbering dies that I can see (except for the toggle train) look like Mauser die stamps. The receiver proof and acceptance is, of course, Mauser as well - except the E/2 on the toggle.

The "R" on the tang of the middle toggle is interesting. I wonder if this somehow marked an armorer's replacement or some kind of "Revision control" work at an armory or higher level repair facility? It certainly looks to be in excellent condition, and some kind of facility work within the Luftwaffe could account for the toggle train and grips.

I personally would not change a thing about it. It is how your Grandfather kept it.

If you want an all matching gun, just purchase one instead of chasing the parts.

I would not be un-happy to have a Mauser with HK grips and toggle.

You will never know how it got that way, and it will never be original anyway.

Think of it as an "un-common" shooter and enjoy it!

JMHO.

"The Mauser "hump" started in mid 1937."

Hi Marc, Actually the "Mauser Hump" first appeared in 1934 where it is found intermittently on K dates. It disappeared in 1935 with the G dates and did not return until, as you said, mid 1937, where it continued to be used through the end of production at Mauser.
Regards, Norm

Just looked - this one is unmarked on the back side.....

Truly, knowing the answer to that would be WAY more gratifying than finding "correct" parts........

Normally that's the direction I usually head. I think the whole reason I got to thinkin about swapping the toggle linkage I was the challenge of finding one...... I figure finding one in similar condition, marked as needed, AND affordable would be virtually impossible. Leave it as is I shall :thumbup:

I may have one - the American Eagle that came with this one I believe is...... But I haven't dug into it yet. (I also assumed the Other was a Krieghoff, so that'll teach me not assume LOL)

Thanks for the info - I normally shy away form Lugers and Colt SSA's due to how easily one can loose his shorts without the knowledge you folks have....... Talk about being outside my comfort zone LOL.

Rob

Thanks Norm, I'd forgotten about those very early "K" dates having the added machining on the ears...

Rob, good choice... Let us have a look at your AE!

Marc

Robert

mrerick to me is right: if you want an all matching gun, just purchase one instead of chasing the parts.
Replacing a wrong part with a correct one perhaps can make that pistol "correct" but not "original". Originality once lost cannot be restored.
IMHO