1940 serial # question
 

I just picked up a beautiful 1940/42 luger out of the woodwork. Still's book says 1940 lugers started with the serial number 7700 Z. My luger is serial #7607 Z. It also has the matching mag and all numbers match. Can anyone clear this up or tell me if I got rooked or what. Thanks.
Dave Sanders

Hi Dave, Jan Still's Book is just approximate for the various serial number ranges. I'm reasonably sure your Luger is legit, if it's all matching with a matching magazine. Breathe easy!!

:)

Dave, I think you are alright. Like Frank said these numbers are approximate and should cause you no worries. I have a 1940 code 42 that is numbered little over a thousand away from your number. If you can, please post pictures of it. I sure would like to take a look at it. Also, try to get a close up of the Z for Ed. He has been putting together a photo essay of the different examples of the suffix letters for the forum. I think you did well.
Sid.

Strider wait until you see Strider (sounds like a riddle huh)

I would post the photos here when you get them, and then send Jan Still an email and ask him to stop by and look at them. He will want to know about movement in the serial number range so he can correct his records.

Thanks for the good words. I'll get some photos and put them up soon.
Dave

Thor, looking forward to seeing what you have done. Thanks for sneak peak. I appreciate it.

Ed, sent an email to you.

Dave, looking forward to the photos.

Sid.

Dave, out of curiosity, are there any letters and numbers located above the stock lug? Thanks.
Sid.

Here is a picture of the Z and serial number. There are no numbers above the lug.
Dave
http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/mvc001s_copy3.jpg

I guess I'm not sure how to put pictures on my email I guess I uploaded to the site and it gave a link. How does one add pictures to the post?
Dave

Dave instead of using the add reply button, use the post reply button that is below it. It will give you options for adding graphics just by clicking a button and inserting the URL into the popup box....

Dave, thanks for posting the photo. Great job on the close up. I am sure could use this as an example for his suffix photo essay. Very nice example of a Z. Thanks.
Sid.

Your welcome, but thanks to all who helped me with my question. If you need a better shot, I can do it. I did that one in a bit of a hurry.
Dave

I recently saw a 1940-42 in the 5900z range that was legit......I am sure yours is okay!!

Hi everyone!
First time I'm posting anything here.
I got a 1940 luger with the markings byf, and the serialnumber is 7844 m, can anyone explain whay there is a "m" under the number and the "byf"?

btw.. on the left side of the chamber, there there is another number (3661), and on top I find (1940). Is 3661 a serialnumber? If so.. is mine from two different lugers?

Great page!

Yes, your Luger is composed of a mixture of parts from two or more pistols. The byf marking is only found on pistols dated 41 or 42. Yours has a 1940 date and is a year too early to have the byf marking.

Lugers were produced in "blocks" of 10,000. The first block was numbered 1 - 10000. The second block was numbered 1a - 10000a; 3rd block 1b - 10000b and so forth. Your Luger falls in the "m" block of production. Imperial Lugers repeated the process EACH YEAR, beginning with the 1 - 10000 sequence, followed by the "a", "b" etc. Mauser, OTOH, continued production in sequence continually without regard for year changes.

"byf" was the production code for the Mauser company and identified the manufacturer as Mauser.

Thanks for the information!
Too bad I didn't hear with you guys before I bought it.. I quess beeing put together by two guns lowers the value. But I realy looking forward to trying it some day;)