LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Looking for more info. BYF 41 SN-3877

guns3545 · 05-28-2015, 02:07 PM

Jack,

Thanks for the additional information and pictures.

Unfortunately it is difficult to say where this pistol was issued and used. Most information about provenance comes when a vet has brought it back and supplied information where and how it was captured. Generally speaking, guns that have seen combat are well worn and guns that have not, or have been assigned to non-front line units are in better shape. But these are only assumptions.

In the s-block, about 7400 guns went to the Army, 2400 to the Luftwaffe mainly for Air Defense and Paratroop Units. The Navy received the remaining 200 or so guns. THESE ARE ESTIMATES. There is no good way to know. We used to be able identify Navy guns by their unit markings but this practice was stopped in 1940.

Question: Are both magazines marked the same?. I cannot tell. The lower magazine is a Haenel made (that's code 122), accepted by the inspector located there, Eagle 37. From the serial number it was originally issued with a 1940 code 42 gun. Early byf guns would have been equipped with this magazine type but only to about the p-block. Later guns would have Haenel (code was changed to fxo in 1941), also inspected and accepted by Eagle 37.

The type 6, black plastic base magazines started to appear around mid-year.

Can't tell, but I doubt that the body of the magazine has an upside down P.08 stamped on it. The P.08 marking requirement only came into effect on January 1, 1941.

I don't need to tell you that finding even one matching magazine will be difficult. As I mentioned, this gun was manufactured when the transition from serial numbered to non-serial numbered magazines was occurring, so it is entirely possible that a fxo 37 magazine with an unmarked aluminum bottom would be the type issued originally with the gun. Still difficult to find plain bottom but infinitely easier than finding matching serials.

The fall back plan employed by many collectors would be: "Well it is theoretically possible that a Type 6 magazine would have been issued with the gun, (and besides it already has black plastic grip panels on it) so let me go and buy a couple magazines." This plan is eminently doable. All is takes is a few dollars and care to insure that you are buying an original fxo type 6 magazine. Counterfeits abound!!

Hope this helps.

John

05-28-2015, 02:07 PM	#18
guns3545 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 438 Thanks: 661 Thanked 493 Times in 219 Posts	Jack, Thanks for the additional information and pictures. Unfortunately it is difficult to say where this pistol was issued and used. Most information about provenance comes when a vet has brought it back and supplied information where and how it was captured. Generally speaking, guns that have seen combat are well worn and guns that have not, or have been assigned to non-front line units are in better shape. But these are only assumptions. In the s-block, about 7400 guns went to the Army, 2400 to the Luftwaffe mainly for Air Defense and Paratroop Units. The Navy received the remaining 200 or so guns. THESE ARE ESTIMATES. There is no good way to know. We used to be able identify Navy guns by their unit markings but this practice was stopped in 1940. Question: Are both magazines marked the same?. I cannot tell. The lower magazine is a Haenel made (that's code 122), accepted by the inspector located there, Eagle 37. From the serial number it was originally issued with a 1940 code 42 gun. Early byf guns would have been equipped with this magazine type but only to about the p-block. Later guns would have Haenel (code was changed to fxo in 1941), also inspected and accepted by Eagle 37. The type 6, black plastic base magazines started to appear around mid-year. Can't tell, but I doubt that the body of the magazine has an upside down P.08 stamped on it. The P.08 marking requirement only came into effect on January 1, 1941. I don't need to tell you that finding even one matching magazine will be difficult. As I mentioned, this gun was manufactured when the transition from serial numbered to non-serial numbered magazines was occurring, so it is entirely possible that a fxo 37 magazine with an unmarked aluminum bottom would be the type issued originally with the gun. Still difficult to find plain bottom but infinitely easier than finding matching serials. The fall back plan employed by many collectors would be: "Well it is theoretically possible that a Type 6 magazine would have been issued with the gun, (and besides it already has black plastic grip panels on it) so let me go and buy a couple magazines." This plan is eminently doable. All is takes is a few dollars and care to insure that you are buying an original fxo type 6 magazine. Counterfeits abound!! Hope this helps. John