byf questions

mr.ery · 03-26-2007, 03:49 PM

Hello,
This is my first post but I have been trying to wear out the search button first. I have to say that the wealth of knowledge here is top notch!
I have the same situation as many. I was left a P.08 from by grandfather who served in WWII with a wonderful story attached to it. Now I am just trying to get some FACTS about the weapon, LOL.

From my searches about my byf I have found that it does have the Mauser military proofs S/42,42. It also has a "42" stamped right behind the barrel. Noted, referenced from the "markings" page of this website; Number 46&47. and it has the last "eagle stamp" the one to the far right.

My confusion is about the rest of the "numbered stamps". They are all "21" or "2021".
Anyone know about these numbers?

Thanks.

Ron Smith · 03-26-2007, 04:12 PM

Hi Stan,

Welcome to the forum. The serial number is 2021 (Letter suffix?) on front of the frame below the barrel and on bottom of the barrel. All other numbered parts should correctly have the last two digits of the SN which is 21. This would be considered an "all matching" Luger.

Ron

mr.ery · 03-26-2007, 04:21 PM

Thanks Ron,

I did not see any letter suffix attached to the serial number. Every other 2 digit number on the gun is 21, there is only one stamped "42" right behind the barrel on the top of the gun.

Balder · 03-26-2007, 04:30 PM

Stan,

Welcome to the world of Lugers, the regulars here have a wealth of information - I'm still a novice. (I do have two byf 42 Lugers similar to yours though)

42 over the chamber behind the barrel means that it was produced in 1942, the last year of byf (Mauser) Luger production. Pictures would be nice, does it have black bakelite grips or wooden ones? What does the magazine look like, any markings present there?

Good luck!

Regards,

Balder

mr.ery · 03-26-2007, 04:49 PM

Thanks Balder,

It has wooden grips on it. I did not see any markings on the magazine although I did not inspect it very well. I do not have it in my possesion right now to be able to take pictures, sorry. My dad is enjoying it right now and is not too computer savvy so I am doing the research for him. Any other way to find out some history behind it? Would there be any other markings possibly to be found if dis-assembled?

the gunman · 03-26-2007, 05:15 PM

Hi Stan tell us the story that went with the gun.

03-26-2007, 03:49 PM	#1
mr.ery New User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	byf questions Hello, This is my first post but I have been trying to wear out the search button first. I have to say that the wealth of knowledge here is top notch! I have the same situation as many. I was left a P.08 from by grandfather who served in WWII with a wonderful story attached to it. Now I am just trying to get some FACTS about the weapon, LOL. From my searches about my byf I have found that it does have the Mauser military proofs S/42,42. It also has a "42" stamped right behind the barrel. Noted, referenced from the "markings" page of this website; Number 46&47. and it has the last "eagle stamp" the one to the far right. My confusion is about the rest of the "numbered stamps". They are all "21" or "2021". Anyone know about these numbers? Thanks.

03-26-2007, 04:12 PM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Stan, Welcome to the forum. The serial number is 2021 (Letter suffix?) on front of the frame below the barrel and on bottom of the barrel. All other numbered parts should correctly have the last two digits of the SN which is 21. This would be considered an "all matching" Luger. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-26-2007, 04:21 PM	#3
mr.ery New User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Ron, I did not see any letter suffix attached to the serial number. Every other 2 digit number on the gun is 21, there is only one stamped "42" right behind the barrel on the top of the gun.

03-26-2007, 04:30 PM	#4
Balder User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 288 Thanks: 20 Thanked 34 Times in 19 Posts	Stan, Welcome to the world of Lugers, the regulars here have a wealth of information - I'm still a novice. (I do have two byf 42 Lugers similar to yours though) 42 over the chamber behind the barrel means that it was produced in 1942, the last year of byf (Mauser) Luger production. Pictures would be nice, does it have black bakelite grips or wooden ones? What does the magazine look like, any markings present there? Good luck! Regards, Balder

03-26-2007, 04:49 PM	#5
mr.ery New User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Balder, It has wooden grips on it. I did not see any markings on the magazine although I did not inspect it very well. I do not have it in my possesion right now to be able to take pictures, sorry. My dad is enjoying it right now and is not too computer savvy so I am doing the research for him. Any other way to find out some history behind it? Would there be any other markings possibly to be found if dis-assembled?

03-26-2007, 05:15 PM	#6
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Hi Stan tell us the story that went with the gun.