Plastic Brown Grips
 

Son of a vet sold me his uncles 3 lugers and I passed on a forth that had brown grips. Being a neophye w/ lugers, I just assumed these were some "fischer price" replacements. Now I learn the Germans did make brn plastic grips and perhaps I missed an opportunity... I did not note the maker.yr but will call the man back this weekend.

Can someone advise about year/maker where these would be proper. Gun is all matching exccept/ mag. The others I snagged were priced right.

TIA...B

Bob,

If the brown grips were original...and coming from a vet, they probably were, that one may have been priced higher because it was a KRIEGHOFF... the Mercedes Benz of Lugers...

I hope it is not too late for you to get that one! and if it is out of your reach financially, please post the details here so that a forum member ( like our beloved benefactor - John D. , who provides all of the lugerforum's hardware and internet connection ) might have to the opportunity to buy it.

Good Luck!

Hi John-

I don't think this one was a Krieghoff as I saw no unusual maker mark topside and guess these grips were on another byf?! I'll learn more on Sat. Was Krieghoff the only maker w/ those brn handles? Thanks

Bob,
* 1940 chamber date, 42 Code P.08's are generally recognized by collectors for occasionally having brown plastic grips. They are usually found scattered in the late "g", "h", and early "i" block with a very few examples reported on either side of this loose "range".
* Been told these are Kreighoff style grips. At the risk of perpetuating myths, the story goes:
(1) Mauser had a spot shortage of wood grips and/or they bought Kreighoff's excess grip inventory to use on the Army's Military contract.
(2) Another version states: Mauser/Heeres wanted to try out plastic grips in Production/Field tests before they commited to the plastic style. Contracted the plastic grip producer once used by Krieghoff for a small batch run. Molds were naturally the Kreighoff style.
(3) The Mauser produced Luftwaffe designated pistols were equiped with the brown grips cause that is what they were use to from Krieghoff.
(4) I have no documentation or proof for any of these assertions. "Salesmen" sometimes come up with stories stetching the borders of fanciful to close a deal or justify an extra buck. Possibly other forum members can validate/correct this with the real facts.
* Do a search on "grips" AND member# "62" (Rick W.). John D. gave us all a lesson on how to determine original from reproduction brown Kreighoff grips last Dec.,'02. Many good digitals if they're still available.
* Good luck this weekend.
WR