LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Newbie from Kansas with 42 Luger question.

mrerick · 03-28-2011, 06:43 PM

Hi Bradley, and welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on your 1939 Mauser Luger. These are some of the best made Lugers.

There is generally a suffix letter that should follow your serial number. "5088?" That letter should be visible just under the number on the front of the frame above the trigger guard.

"42" is the secret code for Mauser. It should be on the front toggle link.

Finding a "matching" side plate for a Mauser Luger is a very difficult task.

Is the number "42" stamped anywhere on the side plate? If so, it's probably an armorer's field replacement part, with the "42" also referencing Mauser.

The interior of Mauser side plates in 1939 also carried a number that reflected the first digits of the serial number. In you pistol, it would have had the number "88" on the outside of the plate, and the number "51" on the inside.

This mix of numbers could occur once in 10,000 Lugers produced. As you can see, finding one would be quite a stroke of luck...

What you have is much more valuable in my book. You know the actual history of the Luger and have it pretty much preserved as it was found.

If the veteran would discuss his story with you and document it, there are those here that collect "bring back stories" and you could include it with your collection.

Cheers!

Marc

03-28-2011, 06:43 PM	#2
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,140 Times in 1,520 Posts	Hi Bradley, and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your 1939 Mauser Luger. These are some of the best made Lugers. There is generally a suffix letter that should follow your serial number. "5088?" That letter should be visible just under the number on the front of the frame above the trigger guard. "42" is the secret code for Mauser. It should be on the front toggle link. Finding a "matching" side plate for a Mauser Luger is a very difficult task. Is the number "42" stamped anywhere on the side plate? If so, it's probably an armorer's field replacement part, with the "42" also referencing Mauser. The interior of Mauser side plates in 1939 also carried a number that reflected the first digits of the serial number. In you pistol, it would have had the number "88" on the outside of the plate, and the number "51" on the inside. This mix of numbers could occur once in 10,000 Lugers produced. As you can see, finding one would be quite a stroke of luck... What you have is much more valuable in my book. You know the actual history of the Luger and have it pretty much preserved as it was found. If the veteran would discuss his story with you and document it, there are those here that collect "bring back stories" and you could include it with your collection. Cheers! Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.