Refinished Luger S/42 (Mauser 1997)

pgv1973 · 08-28-2010, 10:03 PM

Greetings All,

This is my recently purchased S-42. It's a Mauser G stamped and factory refurbished back in 1997. It has no markings nor proof marks other than the mentioned G, the serial numbers and the Mauser - Werke grip laser stamp. I have replaced the original grips with a pair of Nill uncheckered walnut ones that IMHO look really nice. A good friend of mine and Luger expert classifies this gun as a "supernice shooter" with no collectible value since it´s a refurbished unit. My impression is that shooter or collectible they did a fine job with the restoring process. The gun´s edges look sharp and all the markings are clearly visible with the only exception of the s/n underneath the barrel which looks a little faded. Everything despite the intensive polishing needed to obtain that blue mirror finish...

This is as much as I know about this particular Luger. If anyone has additional info (date of manufacture, estimated value,etc...) I would appreciate any comment...

Thank you

Pablo G. Vigón

pgv1973 · 08-28-2010, 10:09 PM

More pics...

sheepherder · 08-28-2010, 10:50 PM

It looks very nice.

This is the first I've heard of the Mauser factory refinishing any Luger pistols.

Vlim · 08-29-2010, 09:59 AM

Nice example of a very rare Mauser variation!

Quote:

A good friend of mine and Luger expert classifies this gun as a "supernice shooter" with no collectible value since it´s a refurbished unit.

He's wrong

These guns were refinished by a subcontractor of Frankonia in Germany and intended for resale by Mauser itself. Mauser has them pictured in their 1997 and 1998 brochures. It is the final attempt of Mauser to try and do something commercially interesting with the P08 design.

As the 'final attempt' these pistols are collectible.

Railsplitter · 08-29-2010, 10:10 AM

Interesting point. In any case, it is a beauty! Enjoy owning it. I sure would.

pgv1973 · 08-29-2010, 11:55 AM

Thank you all for the comments. BTW I assured there were no markings present other than the G letter...I was wrong: the dropped wings are also there (left side of the breech lock). Railsplitter: I will follow your advice. It's a nice gun to own and shoot.

Lugerdoc · 08-30-2010, 11:57 AM

pgv, Interesting luger with a nice high polish refinish. I noticed that the WaAs have been "wiped" from the right receiver and that there is a "smug" on the left, forward of the serial. I wonder if this was a postwar reproof marking? Gracias, TH

mauro · 08-30-2010, 02:38 PM

Hello Pablo,
Also this variation is well described in the book "The Parabellum is back! 1945 - 2000".

So, in a few months also this variation will be described with all the details in a book.

Concerning the collectible value your friend is wrong; my suggestion is to keep this gun as it is.

Cheers,
Mauro

lugerholsterrepair · 08-30-2010, 03:41 PM

This thread goes to show you an old dog can learn new tricks! I never knew these existed!
Not something this military collector would necessarily look for but a very interesting variation.
Vlim, Thanks for the history lesson!

Jerry Burney

pgv1973 · 08-30-2010, 07:44 PM

A bad habit not to look underneath the sideplate...

Thank you all for your replies...

Pablo

Vlim · 08-31-2010, 01:40 PM

Nice, proofed in Cologne in 1997 (KH).

lfid · 09-04-2010, 03:56 PM

this one looks like another mauser 1997 example

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?i...6bbd363b0b59d8

perhaps of interest to someone with easy access / not import restricted

price seems reasonable so far

I have no interest in it buying or selling

Bill

jamese · 09-06-2010, 08:00 AM

As Jerry stated never "knew these existed" same here. I was thinking it was a parts gun refinished.

very interesting

Jim

Vlim · 09-06-2010, 01:33 PM

Technically speaking they are just that. But the fact that Mauser was the driving force behind it, and the fact that they offered them through their sales channels makes it special nonetheless

Railsplitter · 09-06-2010, 06:02 PM

Excellent point Vlim. They do hold a spot in Luger history.

pgv1973 · 09-07-2010, 06:28 PM

Yes Ifid. I've got the same green Mauser case...that Egun luger is a sister of mine...

Douglas Jr. · 09-20-2010, 04:27 PM

Very interesting. I remember to have read something back then, but I lost track of this Mauser venture.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Douglas

JRS · 10-03-2010, 04:22 PM

pgv:

A beauty of a Luger. The smooth walnut grip panels are outstanding. I looked up the Nill Griffe website and the only thing they listed was the Luger checkered panels at $104.00 U.S, Are the smoothies a special order? I did not see any place on the website to place a special order and since Nill Griffe is in Germany and I'm in the U.S, it makes for any awkward ordering and delivery situation. I see that you live in Northern Spain, probably making Nill Griffe more accessable to you.

Vlim · 10-03-2010, 04:29 PM

Shouldn't be too problematic. They even have an English language version of their website.

And exporting grips to the US is unlikely to be an issue, on both sides of the big pond.

http://www.nill-grips.com/News_88.html

JRS · 10-05-2010, 09:29 AM

Vlim:

I E-mailed Nill griffe and received back from them the order number for smooth Luger grip panels and instructions. I promptly ordered a set and Nill Griffe said they will be on their next bulk shipment to the U.S. next week. Shipping rates are a bit high at $18.00 U.S., but not bad considering point of departure to point of arrival. Besides, I think the base price of $87.00 for the panels is a bargain. Thanks, Vlim, for your help

08-28-2010, 10:03 PM	#1
pgv1973 User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Asturias - Northern Spain Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Refinished Luger S/42 (Mauser 1997) Greetings All, This is my recently purchased S-42. It's a Mauser G stamped and factory refurbished back in 1997. It has no markings nor proof marks other than the mentioned G, the serial numbers and the Mauser - Werke grip laser stamp. I have replaced the original grips with a pair of Nill uncheckered walnut ones that IMHO look really nice. A good friend of mine and Luger expert classifies this gun as a "supernice shooter" with no collectible value since it´s a refurbished unit. My impression is that shooter or collectible they did a fine job with the restoring process. The gun´s edges look sharp and all the markings are clearly visible with the only exception of the s/n underneath the barrel which looks a little faded. Everything despite the intensive polishing needed to obtain that blue mirror finish... This is as much as I know about this particular Luger. If anyone has additional info (date of manufacture, estimated value,etc...) I would appreciate any comment... Thank you Pablo G. Vigón Attached Thumbnails __________________ AUDACES FORTUNAT IUVAT Fortune favors the bold

08-28-2010, 10:09 PM	#2
pgv1973 User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Asturias - Northern Spain Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	More pics... More pics... Attached Thumbnails __________________ AUDACES FORTUNAT IUVAT Fortune favors the bold

08-28-2010, 10:50 PM	#3
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	It looks very nice. This is the first I've heard of the Mauser factory refinishing any Luger pistols. __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

08-29-2010, 11:55 AM	#6
pgv1973 User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Asturias - Northern Spain Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you all for the comments. BTW I assured there were no markings present other than the G letter...I was wrong: the dropped wings are also there (left side of the breech lock). Railsplitter: I will follow your advice. It's a nice gun to own and shoot. __________________ AUDACES FORTUNAT IUVAT Fortune favors the bold

08-30-2010, 11:57 AM	#7
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	pgv, Interesting luger with a nice high polish refinish. I noticed that the WaAs have been "wiped" from the right receiver and that there is a "smug" on the left, forward of the serial. I wonder if this was a postwar reproof marking? Gracias, TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

08-29-2010, 10:10 AM	#5
Railsplitter User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 112 Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Interesting point. In any case, it is a beauty! Enjoy owning it. I sure would.

08-30-2010, 02:38 PM	#8
mauro FIREARM HISTORIAN AND AUT Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 106 Thanked 349 Times in 129 Posts	Hello Pablo, Also this variation is well described in the book "The Parabellum is back! 1945 - 2000". So, in a few months also this variation will be described with all the details in a book. Concerning the collectible value your friend is wrong; my suggestion is to keep this gun as it is. Cheers, Mauro __________________ Mauro Baudino - www.lugerlp08.com www.paul-mauser-archive.com Mauser Company and Firearm Historian - Mauser Parabellum Certification Service.

08-30-2010, 03:41 PM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,931 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	This thread goes to show you an old dog can learn new tricks! I never knew these existed! Not something this military collector would necessarily look for but a very interesting variation. Vlim, Thanks for the history lesson! Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

08-30-2010, 07:44 PM	#10
pgv1973 User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Asturias - Northern Spain Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Markings found! A bad habit not to look underneath the sideplate... Thank you all for your replies... Pablo Attached Thumbnails __________________ AUDACES FORTUNAT IUVAT Fortune favors the bold

08-31-2010, 01:40 PM	#11
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Nice, proofed in Cologne in 1997 (KH).

09-04-2010, 03:56 PM	#12
lfid Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wichita, KS USA Posts: 453 Thanks: 573 Thanked 96 Times in 53 Posts	this one looks like another mauser 1997 example http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?i...6bbd363b0b59d8 perhaps of interest to someone with easy access / not import restricted price seems reasonable so far I have no interest in it buying or selling Bill

09-06-2010, 08:00 AM	#13
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 789 Thanks: 0 Thanked 84 Times in 34 Posts	As Jerry stated never "knew these existed" same here. I was thinking it was a parts gun refinished. very interesting Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

09-06-2010, 01:33 PM	#14
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Technically speaking they are just that. But the fact that Mauser was the driving force behind it, and the fact that they offered them through their sales channels makes it special nonetheless

09-06-2010, 06:02 PM	#15
Railsplitter User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 112 Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Excellent point Vlim. They do hold a spot in Luger history.

09-07-2010, 06:28 PM	#16
pgv1973 User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Asturias - Northern Spain Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes Ifid. I've got the same green Mauser case...that Egun luger is a sister of mine... __________________ AUDACES FORTUNAT IUVAT Fortune favors the bold

09-20-2010, 04:27 PM	#17
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Very interesting. I remember to have read something back then, but I lost track of this Mauser venture. Thanks a lot for sharing. Douglas

10-03-2010, 04:22 PM	#18
JRS User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Virginia Beach, VA 23452 Posts: 81 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	pgv: A beauty of a Luger. The smooth walnut grip panels are outstanding. I looked up the Nill Griffe website and the only thing they listed was the Luger checkered panels at $104.00 U.S, Are the smoothies a special order? I did not see any place on the website to place a special order and since Nill Griffe is in Germany and I'm in the U.S, it makes for any awkward ordering and delivery situation. I see that you live in Northern Spain, probably making Nill Griffe more accessable to you.

10-03-2010, 04:29 PM	#19
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Shouldn't be too problematic. They even have an English language version of their website. And exporting grips to the US is unlikely to be an issue, on both sides of the big pond. http://www.nill-grips.com/News_88.html

10-05-2010, 09:29 AM	#20
JRS User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Virginia Beach, VA 23452 Posts: 81 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Vlim: I E-mailed Nill griffe and received back from them the order number for smooth Luger grip panels and instructions. I promptly ordered a set and Nill Griffe said they will be on their next bulk shipment to the U.S. next week. Shipping rates are a bit high at $18.00 U.S., but not bad considering point of departure to point of arrival. Besides, I think the base price of $87.00 for the panels is a bargain. Thanks, Vlim, for your help