Take down tool question
 

Do take down tools have numbers that correspond to dates on Lugers? I have seen several tools with different numbers. For example, a take down tool with a eagle and beneath the eagle a 655 number. If they do match certain years, what sources are available to learn about the tools. Do the cleaning rods also have numbers? Any help would be appreciated. Jeff

Yes, there are several books with pictures, but it can be difficult to figure out. As an example, (I am on the road without books), Jan Still's books Imperial Lugers, 3rd Reich, and Weimer Lugers all have a section on loading tools and how they correspond. Years and codes match but with Lugers, sometimes hard to figure out. the byf, 42 etc., do match up and generally were issued at the same time.
I am unsure if there are exceptions?

The Waffenamps on Nazi era (1934-1945) mag loading tool, will generally be the same inspectors as that stamped on the right hand receiver of the PO8. It should be remembered that the PO8 holster and these tools were issued separately from the pistols by clothing depots, so a matching inspectors mark at the time of issue is just a conincidence. It's the collectors over the years, that have attempted to bring the date of the PO8, the holster and the mag loading tool into unison. Tom H.

Apparently the loading tool was shipped with the pistol along with the spare magazine. I can think of no other reason that the loading tools would bear the same acceptance marks as the pistols. It would have been easy enough for the tool to be seperated from the pistol once it reached the issue level.