New member w/ byf 41
 

Hallo all! I'm relatively new to all this, but here's what I have:

Serial: 9617, no suffix, all matching ##
Toggle: byf
Chamber: 41
Toggle Knob: Squared/Knurled (rough & checkered, I'm assuming that's the same thing)
Grip Safety: Not present
Stock lug: Present
Caliber: 9mm
Grip type: Walnut, checkered, no border, no insignia, no markings on inner surface
Thumb Safety: Safe rear, smooth, 'Gesichert'
Markings: #47 on the list (eagle/135, stick eagle/135 (almost worn off), eagle/swastika) right side chamber, eagle/swastika on barrel, 8.83 under barrel
Barrel length: ~4" (no ruler handy)
Extractor markings: 'Geladen', faint eagle/circle near toggle joint
Sights: fixed (milled?) rear, adjustable front.. uh.. (\ with ridges (no idea how to describe that, as I know there are several different types)
Magazine: 1, extruded, bakelite base, fxo, eagle/37, no serial

Condition: worn bluing (maybe 80-85, guesstimate), regular pitting on right side, scratches on left side, some chipping of blue - looks like it was dropped at least twice.
Bore: shiny, clean, light pitting around breech.

The holster is an original P38, beat to crap with various Nazi markings (it's put up, no access to it right now)

I paid $700 for it. From what I can tell it's a real 'bring-back', but with no papers or ID or anything else. It shoots very nicely - had some issues with ejection failures and toggle hold-back till I cleaned out the hold-open latch and stopped limp-wristing it.

Basic question is - should I keep on shooting it regularly (I did get replacement grips) or drop it in a safe? And can anyone fill in the year of make or any other nifty info like that?

And if I got taken for a 'benjamin ride' on the price, break it to me gently, willya? =)

Hello Pelorat,
I believe the 41-byf's with the E/135 receiver proofing are somewhat scarce, as most were proofed E/655. Take care of it and for $700, no you did not get hurt. Wish I owned it! Pictures would be nice. Oh, it was made in 1941, that is what the 41 over the chamber indicates.

Hello Todd and welcome. Toggletop gave you a short and sweet version. :)

There are three varieties of the byf 41 with respect to the acceptance marks. The most common has two E/655 marks, then two E/135 marks and finally a mixed bag E/655 and E/135. Some have estimated that there are about 4000 byf 41 Lugers that are not of the two E/655 variety. So you can judge the rariety yourself. It is a very desirable Luger to own. Your pistol was very likely made in January of 1942 with a left over 1941 receiver.

As far as price goes, you did just fine. :)

As far as shooting it, you will run the risk of breaking a numbered piece and then the value will drop to a shooter grade and you could lose some bucks. It is your Luger, so the choice is up to you.

Cool, thanks a lot, guys! I think it might end up on my 'seldom-shot' list after all. I knew about the parts breakage lowering the value, but didn't realise it was a less common variety.

Think I'll try to get one of those chromed Frankenlugers to shoot..

Todd, there are several experts for the Chrome Frankenluger on this Forum. Hugh, Edward, Pete just to name a few. Be sure to get those mother of pearl grips. They seem to make it shoot a lot better. If you can't hit anything with it, maybe the glare from the chrome plating will scare the attacker away!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Actually one of the comments is nearly correct as far as acceptance marks are concerned. Most of the 41-byf Lugers were marked with a SE-655 SE-655 acceptance during the n through z production. During the no suffix block the SE-135 inspector came upon the scene. Consequently, the transition fron the SE-655 inspector to the SE-135 acceptance started with the SE-655 and SE-135 acceptance (rare gun). By the end of the no suffix block all 41-byf pistol had the SE-135 SE-135 acceptance marks. At least that is what I have been told. These pistols had 122 code magazines until the end of the - p - block. By June of 1941 any combination of fxo magazine ands walnut/plastic grips was the order of the day. the 41-byf pistol production came to an end in the - b - block of the 42-byf production. Somebody told me that 1000b was the highest know 41-byf.
H

Neat, thanks for the info, Silvereagle.

So, the serials with suffixes are older than the ones without? Seems backwards to me, but there it is =)