Quote:
Originally Posted by Balder
Gentlemen,
I'm having a discussion about when the black bakelite grip plates were introduced. I always thought it to be rather late in 1941, but there is a claim that some Lugers made in 1940 also had them.
Anyone?
Balder
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John,
Good question.
There were two manufacturers of the P.08 in WWII. Mauser and Krieghoff.
Krieghoff first introduced Bakelite grip panels in 1936. Brown Bakelite with 2 types of checkering. The black Bakelite panels were used in the 1940 and subsequent production.
Mauser, on the other hand, was still delivering Walnut grip panels well into 1942. Brown Bakelite panels are found on some 1940 guns. These panels were procured by Mauser from Krieghoff when HK's initial contract for 10,000 guns had been completed. In mid-1941, or so, we see Black Bakelite panels sporadically being used, interspersed with Walnut panels. This continued into 1942.
Now it is difficult to say exactly when the switch over, if indeed, there actually was a switch over, took place. Walnut panels are notorious for their fragility. Therefore how many of the 1941/2 guns observed today actually left the factory with Bakelite grips remains a question as they were used as field replacements.
Remember there was no good reason for Mauser to use Bakelite grips which they had to buy, when they had a good supply of Walnut from off cuts of the 1000s of rifle stocks they were producing. On the other hand, Mauser had no choice about switching to the Haenel magazine as the Heereswaffenamt ordered them to do so. No such order was made with respect to grip panels. Walnut or Bakelite were acceptable.
Hope this helps. Sorry for the number of words. As I said, this is a good question.
John