It is my understanding that the name "Black Widow" was started by Ralph Shattuck. As been stated the black plastic grips and mag knobs were introduced in 1941. The black plastic grips and knobs were used with toggle marking "42" and "byf."
When wooden griped "byf" Lugers are refered to as "Black Widows" that demonstrates the level of collecting knowledge that individual has.
That's my 2 cents.
Dick
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