suffix missing in the serial number
 

I have recently bought a Military Mauser S/42 date 1937 with all parts serial numbers matching. Only now a parceived that the serial number in the frame (under the barrel) has only 4 digites and no suffix letter ad reported in the snaps attached.
Is it correct or my military Luger is a fake? Many thanks in advance

What is the serial number under the barrel and on the left side of the receiver?
The first 10k had no suffix, and then stated with "a ".

Giorgio,

Firstly, Mauser did produce P.08s in 1937 with no suffix. The no suffix block of 10,000 guns occurred late in the year October/November or so. Your pistol was produced about half way through the block as indicated by the serial number.

Second, there are hundreds of reasons why a particular gun may not be correct, but in your case, the serial number is correct for the year and model. No worries there.

Thirdly, the no suffix block was interesting as it was a transition block for both inspectors (maybe) and style of the military acceptance stamp (for sure). Please look at the right side of the receiver, or better send us a picture of the three stamps you will find there. The stamps could be both droop wing eagle as well as straight wing eagle. There is also a slight possibility that Inspector 83 could be shown.

Fourthly, and this is for my personal interest only, 1937 was a year of mixed frames, both hump and no hump. And strawed and blued small parts. I would be interested in which of these your gun has. A photo of the full side view would tell. My prediction would be hump and blued small parts.

Hope this helps,

John

Attached the snaps of the serial numbers on the barrel and on the receiver

Attached the specific photos

Giorgio,

Thank for the additional photos.

Well, it certainly looks like you have a well used and honest example of a late 1937 Model P.08 made by Mauser.

It is typical of late 1937 production: Blued small parts, hump on the frame, Inspector SE63.

For your information, empirically derived data indicates approximately 90 percent of the pistols produced in the "no suffix" block of 10,000 pieces looked exactly like yours.

Enjoy your pistol.

John

thank you very much indeed for your information as usually very accurate, absolutely competent and completely satisfactory (for me and for my P-08). I am very happy to read what you said: you have removed one of my big doubts.

Giorgio,

You are entirely welcome. My pleasure. Happy to have been of some help.

John