Jeffery,
Thank you for your observation. You are correct.
The "0" on the frame is wider and more squared than the more oval shaped zero on the barrel and the receiver.
The "3" on the frame is rounded at the top rather than angled as is on the barrel and receiver.
I checked some other Lugers I have and found that the typography of a 1940 "42" code and 1942 Banner match on the receiver and frame, both having the angled "3" and the oval "0".
A DWM 1923 Commercial I have has a rounded "3" and oval "0" on the barrel and frame.
(Now I'm glad I have the book).
I checked in Hallock and Joop's "The Mauser Parabellum" and found the following:
On page 135 a 1936 S/42 in the "o" block has a rounded "3" on the frame and an angled "3" on the receiver. The receiver and barrel have serifs, and the frame is sans-serif.
On page 149, an 1937 S/42 is shown with a rounded sans-serif "3" and squared "0" on the frame and an angled serif "3" and oval "0" on the barrel and receiver.
Similar typography is on page 172 showing a 1938 S/42 in the "m" block.
These dies match those used on my 1936 S/42 in the "i" block....
So, it looks like different dies were used on the frame up to a point where identical fonts were used (at least 1941 and after)...
- - - - -
This is starting to feel like following bread crumbs through a forest!
Marc\
(Norm, saw your post after I had entered this. Thanks for your photo... )
|