42 Mauser Chamber Dated 1939
 

I picked up this Luger at a local gun store. I checked one of my Luger books on the proofs it should have and they differed. My book was showing two inspection proofs with the number 655 and the military eagle. My gun has two proofs with number 63 and the military eagle. Wondering why the difference.

serial number and suffix?

Jan Still's website shows 1939's with eagle 63 - eagle 83 and eagle 655 depending on when accepted.

My 1939 police has two eagle 63's

Don R. Hallock & Joop van de Kant's book on "The Mauser Parabellum 1930-1946 states that there were several acceptance marks found on the 1939-42 LP.08. "Between this serial number (2611w) and 5579w, the Luger collector can find all three acceptance mark variations: SE(stick eagle)-63L(large) SE-63L, SE-63 SE-655, and SE-655 SE-655."

They also noted that there was also an inspector using the SE-83 in late 1937, all of 1938 and well into the 1939 production. Additionally they noted, in the 1939 q and r blocks there was a variation in size of the SE-63 inspector's mark. "It is not unusual to observe a medium size 63 located next to a larger 63 on the same receiver." (page 189 of the above cited book).

That's a quick answer to your question. I'm sure members more knowledgeable than myself (that's just about everybody on this board - I'm still lurkin' and learnin') can give you much more information on the 9 known 1939-42 collectors variations shown on page 195 of the above cited book, but they will need more and better pictures including the serial number with suffix.

Take your pictures of top and all sides including close-up shots of the markings in natural lighting without a flash. (Note that in your picture the acceptance marks that you are asking about are almost unreadable due to flash "whiteout") Be certain to get the suffix as well as serial number found under the barrel (if present, some will have no suffix).

Hope this quick answer helps until more knowledgeable folks can respond.

Doug

PS. Sorry Ed. Your response apparently came in while I was still typing.

johnb55

To me your Luger seems absolutely correct, but I double checked "my Bible" Jan Still's book "Third Reich Lugers" (page 65) and I would confirm it.
I think would interesting to see some close up photos taken in natural light in the shade or better still on a cloudy day (always without a flash).

Hi Ed

The pistol is 9817 r

I like to thank everyone who posted information. What this has shown me is a need for a more detailed reference. The book I was looking at is called Luger Variations by Harry E. Jones.

The grips are matching but one has one number double striked on one grip.
Seems like one can always find something on these old guns.
I will post pics of it tomorrow for opinion.

Mag is # 6726 k + waf over 63
Black mag alum bottom

Will also take pics of pistol tomorrow for all

Johnb55, I have a1939 Mauser "42" serial 9742 t with two "63" military stamps. Welcome to the club.

I've got one made a couple of thousand prior to yours, and it is also E/63 inspected.

I like the plum color to the finish on yours. Mauser must have been having problems with salt bluing consistency in this timeframe (probably rushing things as the result of ramping up war production in the timeframe of the Poland invasion). My 1939 7xxxr block gun has an almost translucent blued finish.

Congratulations on a nice one... Marc

This was a great book when it was published and to have in your Luger library.... and historically has a lot of good information that was relevant at the time of publication. Mike Jones (the author's son) was kind enough to gift me a copy about a decade ago.

But for the best and latest information, there are many recent publications with the most current information available today. Many were authored by historians that are members of this and Jan Still's forum.

Finally getting around to posting some pics of the grips. One looks good, ones looks messed with. Has anyone seen grips double stamped originally or just a poor attempt to make them match. More pics of pistol to follow.

Looks "messed with" to me too.

A couple of more pics for everyone to look over. Everything looks matching on this pistol, except for one grip and mag. I have a question for Mrerick. I see you also have a 1939 42. I posted a pic of the barrel sn and gauge (8.88). Do you see anything abnormal with my number when comparing it to your 1939. This pistols 8.88 is very close to barrel sn. Any feedback greatly appreciated. John

Update on this lugers performance. I got to the range today and fired a couple of clips to see if any issues. Pistol worked fine, cycled with no problems.

I have a question for Eugen. I see that you have a 1939 like mine. I have been looking at this guns barrel numbers. Looking for a verdict if mine is kosher from board. 8.83 very close to serial number.

Thanks John

John, congrats on a successful range trip. I am sure you are happy that it went well.

That 8.83 is a barrel measurement performed by Mauser and not associated with the serial number. You can read more about it in the FAQS or one of the more knowledgeable members may provide more specific details. It looks legit to me, but I am new at this. :typing:

I think he is saying that he is concerned about the serial number being stamped where it is almost touching the bore numbers and is asking if this is "normal" for 1939's to be this close together - or was this a barrel that was stamped later and not too carefully by someone building up a luger.

Eugen, yes very happy that everything went well. My question to the board is how do the barrel serial number and caliber measurement look in regards to being correct and original. Numbers look blued which is good, my concern is they look a little small.

John, sorry I misread your question. The best answer I can provide might be photos of mine. Your two stampings are indeed closer than mine. Does the close proximity on yours indicate shenanigans or did Fritz at Mauser just like to keep things close? I'll defer to more experienced members on that question. Hopefully they will jump in with their opinions.

Eugene, thanks for the pictures of your barrel numbers. Our guns are 75 serial numbers apart. Comparing the 9s and 7s on both pistols they look the same. I really don't see any difference in font or size. Looks like my numbers are legit. Any members care to add any thoughts. Moving on to next Luger.

P08 Well Marks
 

Hi Eugene, I have a question for you if you still have your code 42, 1939. Since your Luger is close to mine in serial #. the stamping marks in the frame well could be similar or the same. Attaching a pic of mine. Thanks John

The letter suffix is part of the serial number; with about 10,000 guns in each letter series your pistol is roughly 20,000 away from Eugene's.

clips?!?! :soapbox::cheers: