Questions on a 1938 s/42

ducjay · 05-25-2009, 10:44 PM

Hi all,

I have been looking around your forum here and what a great vast of information. My 86 yo grandpa just brought me over a german luger he has had for a long time. I started researching it and have just became obsessed with it. I am a gun nut already, but once this thing showed up it took it to a new level. from what i can determine it is a P08 (is that correct?) it has the short barrel on it. I will take some pics and get them posted up if it will help. but in teh mean time..........

I have looked it over pretty well and it is marked S/42 and 1938 on the top. The serial number is 506. all of the marked pieces are all marked with the "06" the small piece above the take down lever says "germany" and "9mm" on it. the safety says "GESICHERT" on it. the grips on the inside are also marked "06". It has the spot on the back of the grip where the buttstock could slide onto it.

there is no markings whatsoever on the magazine. it does however have the wood buttplate on the magazine though. is that normal? is that special? does this mag go with the gun?

I appreciate any and all info that any of you might know about this thing. thank you.

ducjay · 05-25-2009, 10:56 PM

oh, also, any idea if there is a way to find out any military history on these old guns. you know how if you send documentation to colt they will tell you what campaigns the old WWI & WWII colt 45s were assigned to. Thanks again.

Edward Tinker · 05-25-2009, 11:26 PM

Jason, welcome to the forum.

The 1938 is the date, the S/42 is the manufacturer that was Mauser.

There is likely a letter under the serial number on the front of the frame.

It is almost impossible to find out what person or unit it belonged to. However, get any information you can from your grandfather; whether he "captured" it or got it in a poker game, it'll be cool to know.

Ed

DavidJayUden · 05-25-2009, 11:28 PM

I'm a bit confused by some of the markings you have described. Photos, lots of photos, please!
And welcome to your new obsession.
DJU

tomaustin · 05-25-2009, 11:52 PM

his post is the name of his "bring back" book which he compiled over many years before publishing recently. many of us have bought them. you would find the stories give insight into the many ways others have come into their possession of a wonderful firearm, all wanting to know more. it is a marvelous resource for planning your research. your family is your first source. this is a winding journey my friend. welcome aboard..tom

ducjay · 05-25-2009, 11:53 PM

here are pics i just took. please let me know if i missed any. thanks

Edward Tinker · 05-26-2009, 12:19 AM

Interesting marking of "germany" (good catch David), as that represents a post war "import".

Ask Gramps where he got it, always a good chance he bought it in Chicago in 1962

Ed

DavidJayUden · 05-26-2009, 12:19 AM

OK, ya' got me. Will someone explain the Germany and 9mm markings? I'm guessing that it was an export/import stamp on what would otherwise appear to be a Nazi P-08.
DJU

ducjay · 05-26-2009, 01:36 AM

any idea on a value? is it a junker or should i hang onto it?

JTD · 05-26-2009, 06:58 AM

I would not call it a junker, but a shooter grade. Rust damage knocks it to this level. 500-700 range in my estimate. Mag is from an early commercial from pics. But some bullets and enjoy it for what it is. John

Ice · 05-26-2009, 07:37 AM

Enjoy shooting it. It may not be beautiful and perfect but it is a gift from a loved one. IMHO that makes it valuable in its own right. Lugers are a wonderful obsession.

Charlie

05-25-2009, 10:44 PM	#1
ducjay User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Questions on a 1938 s/42 Hi all, I have been looking around your forum here and what a great vast of information. My 86 yo grandpa just brought me over a german luger he has had for a long time. I started researching it and have just became obsessed with it. I am a gun nut already, but once this thing showed up it took it to a new level. from what i can determine it is a P08 (is that correct?) it has the short barrel on it. I will take some pics and get them posted up if it will help. but in teh mean time.......... I have looked it over pretty well and it is marked S/42 and 1938 on the top. The serial number is 506. all of the marked pieces are all marked with the "06" the small piece above the take down lever says "germany" and "9mm" on it. the safety says "GESICHERT" on it. the grips on the inside are also marked "06". It has the spot on the back of the grip where the buttstock could slide onto it. there is no markings whatsoever on the magazine. it does however have the wood buttplate on the magazine though. is that normal? is that special? does this mag go with the gun? I appreciate any and all info that any of you might know about this thing. thank you.

05-25-2009, 11:26 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,609 Times in 2,123 Posts	Jason, welcome to the forum. The 1938 is the date, the S/42 is the manufacturer that was Mauser. There is likely a letter under the serial number on the front of the frame. It is almost impossible to find out what person or unit it belonged to. However, get any information you can from your grandfather; whether he "captured" it or got it in a poker game, it'll be cool to know. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

05-25-2009, 11:52 PM	#5
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 523 Times in 202 Posts	ed tinker is too modest to push his own book..just below his post is the name of his "bring back" book which he compiled over many years before publishing recently. many of us have bought them. you would find the stories give insight into the many ways others have come into their possession of a wonderful firearm, all wanting to know more. it is a marvelous resource for planning your research. your family is your first source. this is a winding journey my friend. welcome aboard..tom

05-26-2009, 12:19 AM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,609 Times in 2,123 Posts	Interesting marking of "germany" (good catch David), as that represents a post war "import". Ask Gramps where he got it, always a good chance he bought it in Chicago in 1962 Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

05-25-2009, 10:56 PM	#2
ducjay User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	oh, also, any idea if there is a way to find out any military history on these old guns. you know how if you send documentation to colt they will tell you what campaigns the old WWI & WWII colt 45s were assigned to. Thanks again.

05-25-2009, 11:28 PM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'm a bit confused by some of the markings you have described. Photos, lots of photos, please! And welcome to your new obsession. DJU

05-26-2009, 01:36 AM	#9
ducjay User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	any idea on a value? is it a junker or should i hang onto it?

05-26-2009, 06:58 AM	#10
JTD User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 428 Thanks: 218 Thanked 410 Times in 151 Posts	I would not call it a junker, but a shooter grade. Rust damage knocks it to this level. 500-700 range in my estimate. Mag is from an early commercial from pics. But some bullets and enjoy it for what it is. John

05-26-2009, 07:37 AM	#11
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	Enjoy shooting it. It may not be beautiful and perfect but it is a gift from a loved one. IMHO that makes it valuable in its own right. Lugers are a wonderful obsession. Charlie