Original to the gun grips...numbered/inspected?
 

Hope you don't mind me "wearing" a path between my computer and www.lugerforum.com!!

I have 4 Mauser lugers. Internally, 2 have matching SN + inspected grips (1940, 1941) and two (1938 and 1936) that are unmarked. All are complete metal matched down to the firing pin.

The question is simple (I think): "Were virtually all original grips numbered to a military gun and inspected before leaving Oberndorf?"

I don't think so, This is speculation but I believe there may have been periods during production where numbering of grips was not a priority, but the Mauser experts will soon speak up and let you know the best data that is known on your question.

Another reason that a gun might not have marked grips is that they may have been replaced by a unit armorer because they split or became chipped (like up near the safety on the left grip) or just because the armorer had a nice looking pair of grips and wanted to be on the good side of the guy carrying the gun...

Hello Bob, John is absolutely correct. It depends on the year. Having said that, the best information shows 1936 were mostly unmarked and 1938 were mostly marked. I would say you have one correct and one not correct. If the 1938 grips were not inspected (Waffenamt Stamped) I would say they were not armorer replacements.

And from what I have read and limited experience, many tmes they are lightly marked, so look close.

Also, through the years, the different manufacturers marked differently.

Ed