LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Newbie question about magazines, wood VS. Aluminum

Silvereagle29 · 02-27-2009, 02:33 PM

1940-42 magazines

2-MM-SE5 - describes a rolled tin blue body crimped magazine with a solid aluminum base. The base will have the serial number, letter suffix in this case "a". Maybe a + indicating the second magazine. There must be a Stick Eagle 655 acceptance mark under the serial number on the solid aluminum magazine base.

3-MM-122 describes an extruded type magazine with a "zig-Zag" spring and a concave pinned aluminum base. The blue body of the magazine will have the the C.G Haenel code of "122" and the SE-37 (stick eagle 37) Military acceptance marks. The base will have the serial number, suffix letter and maybe a +. A few early 1940-42 magazines will have an additional SE-37 on the magazine base. No need to go there at this point.

Lets start here; there were no wood base magazines in 1940. Fact is, there were no wood base magazines in any Military Mauser Lugers (1934 - 1942). In addition, there were no magazines with a drooped eagle 63 acceptance mark after the - r - block of 1937 or stick eagle 63 magazines after the - w - block of 1939. I say no magazines, however, there probably were some remaining in their inventory and used after these periods.

These two magazines are found on all 1940-42 Lugers until the - d - block. The SE-655 magazine was a carry over from the 1939-42 production after the - w - block of 1939.

The 122 code magazine appeared at the beginning of the 1940-42 period and will be the common magazine after the - d - letter suffix..

My opinion, gleaned from magazines reported to me. The numbers are actual numbers. The serial number and letter suffix information provide the data for the estimates.

No suffix range 31 - 3620 were 3-MM-122 (122 code)
3640 - 7800 were 2-MM-SE5 (SE-655)
7801 - 8050 were 3-MM-122 (122 code)
a suffix 8051 - 4687a were 2-MM-SE5 (SE-655)
4700a - 9942a were both type magazines, most were 3-MM-122.

FYI 5300a was a SE-655 magazine while 5800a was a 122 code. Looks like either would be correct

That should give you a good idea what magazine is correct for your 1940-42 Luger; hopefully I have provided you enough information..

Good Luck

02-27-2009, 02:33 PM	#5
Silvereagle29 User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	1940-42 magazines 2-MM-SE5 - describes a rolled tin blue body crimped magazine with a solid aluminum base. The base will have the serial number, letter suffix in this case "a". Maybe a + indicating the second magazine. There must be a Stick Eagle 655 acceptance mark under the serial number on the solid aluminum magazine base. 3-MM-122 describes an extruded type magazine with a "zig-Zag" spring and a concave pinned aluminum base. The blue body of the magazine will have the the C.G Haenel code of "122" and the SE-37 (stick eagle 37) Military acceptance marks. The base will have the serial number, suffix letter and maybe a +. A few early 1940-42 magazines will have an additional SE-37 on the magazine base. No need to go there at this point. Lets start here; there were no wood base magazines in 1940. Fact is, there were no wood base magazines in any Military Mauser Lugers (1934 - 1942). In addition, there were no magazines with a drooped eagle 63 acceptance mark after the - r - block of 1937 or stick eagle 63 magazines after the - w - block of 1939. I say no magazines, however, there probably were some remaining in their inventory and used after these periods. These two magazines are found on all 1940-42 Lugers until the - d - block. The SE-655 magazine was a carry over from the 1939-42 production after the - w - block of 1939. The 122 code magazine appeared at the beginning of the 1940-42 period and will be the common magazine after the - d - letter suffix.. My opinion, gleaned from magazines reported to me. The numbers are actual numbers. The serial number and letter suffix information provide the data for the estimates. No suffix range 31 - 3620 were 3-MM-122 (122 code) 3640 - 7800 were 2-MM-SE5 (SE-655) 7801 - 8050 were 3-MM-122 (122 code) a suffix 8051 - 4687a were 2-MM-SE5 (SE-655) 4700a - 9942a were both type magazines, most were 3-MM-122. FYI 5300a was a SE-655 magazine while 5800a was a 122 code. Looks like either would be correct That should give you a good idea what magazine is correct for your 1940-42 Luger; hopefully I have provided you enough information.. Good Luck