First post but Third Luger

Mason1 · 01-09-2010, 03:47 PM

Gentlemen,
While this is my first post I’ve been lurking and trying to learn for a while now.
I will try and post some pictures of my third luger in the hope that the more knowledgeable members can help with some issues.

First off has a 41 over the chamber which I assume is 1941 manufacture, a 42 on the toggle which assume stands for Mauser , the serial # is 6957 s(?), all interior # are marked 57.

Left side proofs are Straight winged eagle 655 twice then a straight winged eagle over a swastika, with a much smaller one on the barrel.

There are no strawed parts, nothing in the white, as far as I can tell there is no rust or pitting, a couple of dents (?) on the side plate. All edges seem to be sharp, the barrel “slugs” and “mikes” exactly the 8.81. The barrel appears unfired. The only detrimental issue is the pin that retains the toggle pivot is broken and does not retain the link. I have managed to obtain several original retaining pins.

I would very much appreciate your assistance in answering the following questions:

1. Is this gun refinished or is the finish original?

2. How do I replace the toggle pivot retaining pin, is it driven toward the toggle surface or does it go inward?

3. The grips are wood, is that correct for this pistol.

4. Is this a common variation, or one that needs to be put away and just admired?

Thank you all for any and all help.

Norme · 01-09-2010, 04:00 PM

Hi, Welcome to the forum. A 41 42 is a rather scarce variation (only 7,000 made). About 20% came with black plastic grips, the rest were wood like yours. Your pictures aren't clear enough to determine if your gun has been refinished. If it turns out to be original, I would not shoot it. Regards, Norm

Mason1 · 01-09-2010, 04:09 PM

Thanks for the quick reply.

I took these on the lowest resolution to fit them in, which is better high resolution and cropping, change the lighting, or change the back ground?

The refinished or not is my primary question at this point. I’m more than willing to post as many pictures as are of intrest.

Norme · 01-09-2010, 04:53 PM

Hi, To determine whether a gun has been buffed and refinished, I look at the sharp edges, which should be sharp, and the flat surfaces, which should be flat. Try to get some clear shots of those areas. Regards

lugercollector · 01-09-2010, 08:25 PM

In my opinion it has been refinished..

Jason L · 01-09-2010, 08:55 PM

Hello Mason,
I say refinished....Blue is matte......dings and marks with blue in them..... no color in 'GESICHERT'.....no holster wear.....saftey bar looks like it has blue on it .Most of these pistols saw hard use.
Cheers,
Jason

alvin · 01-09-2010, 09:34 PM

It's refinished, no doubt. The grip panels and patina on safety bar actually reflect its overall condition before it was refinished.

Mason1 · 01-09-2010, 10:34 PM

I really appreciate everybody’s responses. I had a hunch that might be the case, but not having the experience of many on this board I appreciate knowing.

Nothing was said one way or the other when I bought it. Considering the price I have nothing to complain about. It will never replace my first one (a mix match of at least two guns, but a fantastic shooter.) but I fully intend to enjoy it and continue looking for a “collector grade” one.

With the indulgence of the members I will try and get better pictures tomorrow and post them. Any additional information will be appreciated. Especially as to how to replace the pin that retains the toggle pivot pin.

Mason1 · 01-10-2010, 12:46 PM

Here are better photos. At least this has gotten me to thougherly disassemble and clean it. The Grips are not original to the gun, when I ordered it sight unseen I was asked if I wanted the plastic grips or wood, thinking at the time all plastic grips were replacement I asked for wood.

Does anyone know what the ”T “on the back of the frame stands for?

These pictures were taken with the metal completely free of oil. The more I looked the more certain that everyone was correct about it having been refinished.

Any additional information would be greatly appriciated.

01-09-2010, 04:00 PM	#2
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi, Welcome to the forum. A 41 42 is a rather scarce variation (only 7,000 made). About 20% came with black plastic grips, the rest were wood like yours. Your pictures aren't clear enough to determine if your gun has been refinished. If it turns out to be original, I would not shoot it. Regards, Norm

01-09-2010, 04:09 PM	#3
Mason1 User Join Date: May 2009 Location: NC Posts: 6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the quick reply. I took these on the lowest resolution to fit them in, which is better high resolution and cropping, change the lighting, or change the back ground? The refinished or not is my primary question at this point. I’m more than willing to post as many pictures as are of intrest.

01-09-2010, 04:53 PM	#4
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi, To determine whether a gun has been buffed and refinished, I look at the sharp edges, which should be sharp, and the flat surfaces, which should be flat. Try to get some clear shots of those areas. Regards

01-09-2010, 08:25 PM	#5
lugercollector Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: canada Posts: 322 Thanks: 0 Thanked 25 Times in 15 Posts	In my opinion it has been refinished..

01-09-2010, 08:55 PM	#6
Jason L User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CT. USA Posts: 66 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Hello Mason, I say refinished....Blue is matte......dings and marks with blue in them..... no color in 'GESICHERT'.....no holster wear.....saftey bar looks like it has blue on it .Most of these pistols saw hard use. Cheers, Jason

01-09-2010, 09:34 PM	#7
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	It's refinished, no doubt. The grip panels and patina on safety bar actually reflect its overall condition before it was refinished.

01-09-2010, 10:34 PM	#8
Mason1 User Join Date: May 2009 Location: NC Posts: 6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I really appreciate everybody’s responses. I had a hunch that might be the case, but not having the experience of many on this board I appreciate knowing. Nothing was said one way or the other when I bought it. Considering the price I have nothing to complain about. It will never replace my first one (a mix match of at least two guns, but a fantastic shooter.) but I fully intend to enjoy it and continue looking for a “collector grade” one. With the indulgence of the members I will try and get better pictures tomorrow and post them. Any additional information will be appreciated. Especially as to how to replace the pin that retains the toggle pivot pin.