LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - 1912 DWM with byf toggle link

mrerick · 08-10-2010, 10:21 AM

Hi Thomas, and another welcome to the forum!

Luger pistols of all eras were hand fitted guns. That is why you see the last two digits of the serial number on all the parts of a military proofed gun.

Since you have a 1912 Mauser receiver / frame, and a WW-II era Mauser manufactured "byf" toggle, someone has swapped out parts on your gun. This was probably done by someone outside an armory because the parts were left unfitted. Armorys like those in Germany and the East German VOPO (that processed captured Lugers after WW-II) would most likely have properly installed the parts. As a result, you probably won't find rebuild marks on your gun.

Do you find import marks on your gun?

On the breech block forward of the "byf" toggle, do the numbers match the last two digits on your main serial number on the receiver left and frame front? If so the breech block / extractor / firing pin are likely original to the gun.

Since it's rather difficult to separate the middle "byf" toggle and the rear toggle, they could both be Mauser. Does the rear most toggle have numbers that match the last two digits on your main serial number?

The factory hand fit parts to make them operate smoothly on very tight tolerances.

Your gun binds up because of the mis-matched parts. This certainly interferes with proper operation, and could even be dangerous under some circumstances.

The parts need to be hand fitted by a competent gunsmith. The work is somewhat involved, and could be costly.

The addition of a magazine hold open would involve machining out the area that the part normally fits into, and is probably cost prohibitive. I personally would not do this.

You will find people on this forum that can help with the fitting if you don't have a local gunsmith familiar with Lugers.

Marc

08-10-2010, 10:21 AM	#7
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,139 Times in 1,520 Posts	Hi Thomas, and another welcome to the forum! Luger pistols of all eras were hand fitted guns. That is why you see the last two digits of the serial number on all the parts of a military proofed gun. Since you have a 1912 Mauser receiver / frame, and a WW-II era Mauser manufactured "byf" toggle, someone has swapped out parts on your gun. This was probably done by someone outside an armory because the parts were left unfitted. Armorys like those in Germany and the East German VOPO (that processed captured Lugers after WW-II) would most likely have properly installed the parts. As a result, you probably won't find rebuild marks on your gun. Do you find import marks on your gun? On the breech block forward of the "byf" toggle, do the numbers match the last two digits on your main serial number on the receiver left and frame front? If so the breech block / extractor / firing pin are likely original to the gun. Since it's rather difficult to separate the middle "byf" toggle and the rear toggle, they could both be Mauser. Does the rear most toggle have numbers that match the last two digits on your main serial number? The factory hand fit parts to make them operate smoothly on very tight tolerances. Your gun binds up because of the mis-matched parts. This certainly interferes with proper operation, and could even be dangerous under some circumstances. The parts need to be hand fitted by a competent gunsmith. The work is somewhat involved, and could be costly. The addition of a magazine hold open would involve machining out the area that the part normally fits into, and is probably cost prohibitive. I personally would not do this. You will find people on this forum that can help with the fitting if you don't have a local gunsmith familiar with Lugers. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.