1941 byf BW - Need Help Please

New London Armory · 08-05-2009, 08:55 PM

Pictured below is the 9mm 41byf BW Luger I purchased from a gentleman and I have a few questions about it.

Does everything look correct with it?

I've taken pictures of the bore.
A little ways back from the crown there are somewhat deep marks. (Deeper than light scratches)
Back near the beginning of the rifling there is another deep mark about the same as the other; maybe slightly deeper.
Does anyone know what may have caused this damage?
What does it do to the value of this Luger?

I believe the bluing to be 95-98%. There are two identical magazines. The loading tool has no markings.
The holster is pictured below and looks like a nice one.

Help with an estimated value for the set would be a great help also.

Thanks! I look forward to participating in this forum in the future and meet fellow Luger enthusiasts.

Edward Tinker · 08-05-2009, 09:22 PM

welcome to the forum.

how the heck did you get the inside b ore pictures? Very cool.

Wow, I am unsure, some folks would figure that it was damaged by something, perhaps a bore obstructure. I am unsure.

Otherwise, it is a very nice byf 41. I personally don't like to say the BW words, as black widows is a made up nmae, that said, if I say BW; then someone knows evidently what I am talking about.

Ed

New London Armory · 08-05-2009, 09:33 PM

I had to tinker a bit to get the pictures. I basically used a 4-dcell maglite in the breech end, with an antler (for reflection) gently stuck into the action, and move my camera around until I get the image I want.
I've tried other materials for reflection and that seems to work best for me.
Thanks

Ice · 08-06-2009, 04:44 AM

First, welcome to the forum. Thats a mighty nice byf 41 rig. Re the muzzle, have you tried shooting it yet? It might shoot just fine and the muzzle damage might be only cosmetic and not harmful.

Charlie

New London Armory · 08-06-2009, 06:33 AM

I was actually not comfortable shooting it thinking perhaps it would be unsafe.
I will try it this weekend and report back.

DavidJayUden · 08-06-2009, 07:42 AM

Can you feel any ripples or waves along the outside of the barrel? Is these noticeable difference in pressure when you push a tight patch thru it?
Quick story: I bought an beautiful artillery Luger that had 3 bullets stacked up in the barrel. The barrel has 2 faint lumps (rings) around it, and some expansion along the bore. I wish it was a war story, but it was a result of kids shooting, or trying to shoot, dad's Luger.
Anyway, bullets are out and it shoots perfectly, although the first few shots were fired while holding the gun around the other side of a tree... And I always make sure I use the front site to aim it, just to be sure that my barrel is still there from shot to shot.
DJU

wdavid431 · 08-06-2009, 07:53 AM

That is one great collectable Luger rig. I would not shoot it until checked by a gunsmith. However, as a 41 BW Luger I would not shoot it anyway. Breaking of a small numbered part will drop value too much. Even though shooting such a pistol is really neat and is an individual decision I would collect and admire it only.
Buying a shooter Luger with mismatched parts or an RC will take care of the urge to shoot a Luger. However, I do understand desire to shoot it.

sheepherder · 08-06-2009, 08:09 AM

At a WAG, I would say the rings/crescents in the barrel were made by a steel rod...possibly a "field expedient" squib rod, or maybe even a storage device that held the pistol in position by means of the bore...(My own safe uses wooden dowels of various diameters and heights to hold and separate my pistols & revolvers)...

I'd conjecture someone used a cleaning rod and a hammer to dislodge an obstruction (like a squib load/bullet) in the barrel, as Ed Tinker suggested...

08-05-2009, 08:55 PM	#1
New London Armory User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Forest, Virginia Posts: 7 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1941 byf BW - Need Help Please Pictured below is the 9mm 41byf BW Luger I purchased from a gentleman and I have a few questions about it. Does everything look correct with it? I've taken pictures of the bore. A little ways back from the crown there are somewhat deep marks. (Deeper than light scratches) Back near the beginning of the rifling there is another deep mark about the same as the other; maybe slightly deeper. Does anyone know what may have caused this damage? What does it do to the value of this Luger? I believe the bluing to be 95-98%. There are two identical magazines. The loading tool has no markings. The holster is pictured below and looks like a nice one. Help with an estimated value for the set would be a great help also. Thanks! I look forward to participating in this forum in the future and meet fellow Luger enthusiasts. Last edited by New London Armory; 08-06-2009 at 08:19 AM.

08-05-2009, 09:22 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,919 Thanks: 1,998 Thanked 4,511 Times in 2,083 Posts	welcome to the forum. how the heck did you get the inside b ore pictures? Very cool. Wow, I am unsure, some folks would figure that it was damaged by something, perhaps a bore obstructure. I am unsure. Otherwise, it is a very nice byf 41. I personally don't like to say the BW words, as black widows is a made up nmae, that said, if I say BW; then someone knows evidently what I am talking about. 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

08-05-2009, 09:33 PM	#3
New London Armory User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Forest, Virginia Posts: 7 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bore Pictures I had to tinker a bit to get the pictures. I basically used a 4-dcell maglite in the breech end, with an antler (for reflection) gently stuck into the action, and move my camera around until I get the image I want. I've tried other materials for reflection and that seems to work best for me. Thanks

08-06-2009, 06:33 AM	#5
New London Armory User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Forest, Virginia Posts: 7 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Shooting it? I was actually not comfortable shooting it thinking perhaps it would be unsafe. I will try it this weekend and report back.

08-06-2009, 07:53 AM	#7
wdavid431 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 135 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	That is one great collectable Luger rig. I would not shoot it until checked by a gunsmith. However, as a 41 BW Luger I would not shoot it anyway. Breaking of a small numbered part will drop value too much. Even though shooting such a pistol is really neat and is an individual decision I would collect and admire it only. Buying a shooter Luger with mismatched parts or an RC will take care of the urge to shoot a Luger. However, I do understand desire to shoot it. __________________ W David

08-06-2009, 04:44 AM	#4
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	First, welcome to the forum. Thats a mighty nice byf 41 rig. Re the muzzle, have you tried shooting it yet? It might shoot just fine and the muzzle damage might be only cosmetic and not harmful. Charlie

08-06-2009, 07:42 AM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Can you feel any ripples or waves along the outside of the barrel? Is these noticeable difference in pressure when you push a tight patch thru it? Quick story: I bought an beautiful artillery Luger that had 3 bullets stacked up in the barrel. The barrel has 2 faint lumps (rings) around it, and some expansion along the bore. I wish it was a war story, but it was a result of kids shooting, or trying to shoot, dad's Luger. Anyway, bullets are out and it shoots perfectly, although the first few shots were fired while holding the gun around the other side of a tree... And I always make sure I use the front site to aim it, just to be sure that my barrel is still there from shot to shot. DJU

08-06-2009, 08:09 AM	#8
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts	At a WAG, I would say the rings/crescents in the barrel were made by a steel rod...possibly a "field expedient" squib rod, or maybe even a storage device that held the pistol in position by means of the bore...(My own safe uses wooden dowels of various diameters and heights to hold and separate my pistols & revolvers)... I'd conjecture someone used a cleaning rod and a hammer to dislodge an obstruction (like a squib load/bullet) in the barrel, as Ed Tinker suggested...