42-42 Code out of sequence/nonstandard production
 

Does anyone know how many 42-42's were assembled and were there any set ser. # ranges that they will fall in? Also what is the collectibality of this coded pistol.

The last recognized year of production of 42-code Lugers was 1941. Could you provide more details about your gun: proof marks? any other marks? is it matching? What is the serial number? Can you post photographs?

--Dwight

Hi Bill, Jan Still (Third Reich Lugers) thinks some of these out-of-sequence pistols were made from leftover parts at the end of the 1942 production. He shows a 1940, S/42 (S/N 4178k), a 1940 byf (S/N 7) and a 42, Code 42 (S/N 9231a). From these few examples and the serial numbers provided, it's difficult to make many conclusions. Knowing the serial number range for each of these would lead to these conclusions, based on the serial number alone. The K-Block could have been completed either toward the end of either the 1940 or 1942 production. The other two were likely completed during the transition between the 1941 and 1942 production runs.

As far as their collectability, I would say to each his (or her) own. As far as I am concerned, it doesn't fit in my area of interest. Some years ago I passed one up and haven't had any regrets about doing it.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Hi,
Although the 42/42 is shown in books and there were probably a few of them assembled as mentioned in Jan Still's book, most seen today are recent assembled examples. As far as I know there are no known established serial number ranges which means anything is probable. Most of these you see today have been assembled post WWII. There are so many shooters available today and all one has to do is find a toggle with the right last two digits and you have an "out of sequence" example. Again, this goes back to the same thing as the recent thread about tools and SS marked Lugers, there are more fakes than real examples and there is no way to know which is really a true example. As far as price is concerned, a lot of value has dropped on this example do to the above mentioned information. No one wants to pay a premium for something that no one is sure is actually correct. Hope you had a Merry, Merry X-mas.

Thanks for the info on 42/42's, pretty much as I had expected. I have not seen this pistol, but am going to look at it this weekend. The present owner says it's a bringback and all matched, but we shall see. Will post particulars after I inspect it, if they are worthwhile.
Thanks again for the help,
Bill

I have an S/42 dated 41 all matching. Will post pics if anyone is interested.

Yes Aaron,
Do post pictures! I for one am interested!

Brandon...

I have a nice 42/42. Unfortunatly it's made out of three nice mauser pistols. The lower receiver and all it's parts are same #, barrel and upper receiver and its little parts match, bolt and toggle and its goodies are yet another #. The lower receiver is forced matched to the upper. Oddly, this gun won't jam, and shoots great.

Stevie.