Questions on byf 42 Luger
 

I'm considering buying a byf 42 Luger. Pistol is in 95%+ condition with just a hint of wear at the muzzle. Serial number is 4628i. All numbers match. The grips are the standard checkered wood. They have no serial numbers on them.

Questions: about when was this pistol made in 1942. What is the highest 1942 serial number observed for 1942? I thought all 1942 Lugers had the black plastic grips?

The pistol came with a well made copy of the U.S. Army shoulder holster, but it was made specifically for this pistol. Anyone heard of another holster like this one?

Hi Joe, the 4628, I-Block byf 42 was made approximately Aug-Sep 1942 time frame. In Jan Still's Book on Third Reich Lugers, the last German Contract serial number was about 150m (M-Block). However, Mauser did ship a bunch to Portugal, out to about 5300m and another bunch to Bulgaria to 2200n.

Do the grips have any markings on the inside? Perhaps the Waffenamt Mark of Eagle-Over-135. Look carefully because some are very lightly hit.

It's difficult to say just how many of the byf 42 Lugers had the black Bakelite grips, but some have estimated up to 20 percent. Most had wooden grips!

Sounds like a nice Luger!! Good Luck!!

Check out the Krieghoff Forum and do a search for "holster" There are two types of shoulder holster that I recall shown there. The member who owns them is John D. our benefactor who hosts this website...