mlm

The magazine for a byf41 should have a blued tube. If it is marked E/37 and fxo it is a Haenel-made magazine and appropriate. If it has E/655 inspection AND the pistol is E/655 inspected, these two are historical buddies, being made about the same time. Some 41byfs have the plastic bottom fxo mags and the earlier pistols have the aluminum bottom mags with a serial number. Always hard to value a luger but because these are fairly common and there are only a couple of uncommon subvariations, the value is probably $550-%800. If it is really right at 90%, I would narrow that figure to $600-750. Check the inspection stamps. If they are E/135, you have one of the 7000 or so last byf41's. I have been hunting for one of these and have seen two in the last three years. Those don't command a premium but are interesting. Ku marked byf41's are worth a premium as are police safety byf41s.


In 1941, P38 production was apparently not up to mil needs so lugers were in full production. Radoms, HiPowers helped take up some of the slack. At this point, Germany was entering the most intense part of the war in both Africa and Russia. Equipment needs were high and losses would soon erode materiel supplies. Lots of lugers were made from 1936-1942 but lots were needed and used. Survival rates for lugers would be highest and in highest condition for the 41s and 42s. The 42's ceased in November 42 and the last 4 thousand were sent to Portugal. P38, Radom and HiPower production was in full swing by 1942.