Handed Down WW II Luger

wjb1tex · 03-03-2011, 11:10 AM

I know very little about the gun. I know it was taken from a dead German officer by my Uncle. Any comments or information appreciated.
On the top of the gun I see S/42 1938 and 97
On one side I see 7307 97 97 97
On the front of the frame I see 7307 and under that something that looks like a cursive f.
The 9 sometimes looks like 0 or even 8. Hard to tell.
On the other side I see some symbols that are very difficult for me to make out.
Any additional info appreciated.

azrael_cervale · 03-03-2011, 02:20 PM

I'm new here as well but I can say they'll need to see the top of the Luger for the manufacturer and as many other markings as you can provide, especially the ones in the front right hand side by the barrel. Also whether or not the serial number is 4 or 5 digits long.

lugerholsterrepair · 03-03-2011, 02:56 PM

I can tell it's a Mauser Military..1939-40 Your Uncle must have modified it with the plexiglass grips.

Jerry Burney

Hugo Borchardt · 03-06-2011, 03:04 PM

Welcome. That is a real war trophy you have there! You could replace the grips with original ones to put the gun right, but if it were me, I would leave them just like your Uncle left them.

Clark

wjb1tex · 03-07-2011, 07:05 PM

On the top of the gun I see S/42 1938 and 97
On one side I see 7307 97 97 97
On the front of the frame I see 7307 and under that something that looks like a cursive f.
The 9 sometimes looks like 0 or even 8. Hard to tell.
On the other side I see some symbols that are very difficult for me to make out.
Any additional info appreciated.

Edward Tinker · 03-07-2011, 11:56 PM

Ok, I can tell you that it is a Mauser made (code name S/42) made in 1938 (date) and the serial number is almost surely 7397f, as the last two of the serial number is the numbers seen throughout the gun.

The plexiglass grips were not an uncommon item to put on a captured pistol, I have seen them on a Femaru, many lugers, Nambu's and even a 1911A1 (US bring back) and others.

The eagle and such on the right side are proof and acceptance markings, showing it was ok by the military and the factory for issue.

Ed

guns3545 · 03-08-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjb1tex

I know very little about the gun. I know it was taken from a dead German officer by my Uncle. Any comments or information appreciated.
On the top of the gun I see S/42 1938 and 97
On one side I see 7307 97 97 97
On the front of the frame I see 7307 and under that something that looks like a cursive f.
The 9 sometimes looks like 0 or even 8. Hard to tell.
On the other side I see some symbols that are very difficult for me to make out.
Any additional info appreciated.

Nice war souvenir.

The gun has what are called sweetheart grips on it. These were typically made from the Plexiglas of downed war planes. The sweetheart aspect comes from the fact that GIs used to put pictures of their sweetheart or family or favorite dog, etc. under the grip. Or they used pin-ups of the Hollywood Stars of the day like Betty Grable.

Not that uncommon. Carving these grips seems to have been a favorite past time of some GIs.

John

03-03-2011, 11:10 AM	#1
wjb1tex User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 5 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Handed Down WW II Luger I know very little about the gun. I know it was taken from a dead German officer by my Uncle. Any comments or information appreciated. On the top of the gun I see S/42 1938 and 97 On one side I see 7307 97 97 97 On the front of the frame I see 7307 and under that something that looks like a cursive f. The 9 sometimes looks like 0 or even 8. Hard to tell. On the other side I see some symbols that are very difficult for me to make out. Any additional info appreciated. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by wjb1tex; 03-07-2011 at 05:35 PM. Reason: additional information

03-03-2011, 02:56 PM	#3
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	I can tell it's a Mauser Military..1939-40 Your Uncle must have modified it with the plexiglass grips. 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."

03-06-2011, 03:04 PM	#4
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 372 Thanks: 340 Thanked 143 Times in 48 Posts	Welcome. That is a real war trophy you have there! You could replace the grips with original ones to put the gun right, but if it were me, I would leave them just like your Uncle left them. Clark __________________ My militaria collection is dedicated to the memory of my Grandfather, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Dave Hill, Jr., wounded in action at The Assault of the Second Marine Division on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, 20-23 November, 1943. http://www.tarawa1943.com/pages/casualties%20tarawa.htm

03-07-2011, 07:05 PM	#5
wjb1tex User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 5 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	additional information On the top of the gun I see S/42 1938 and 97 On one side I see 7307 97 97 97 On the front of the frame I see 7307 and under that something that looks like a cursive f. The 9 sometimes looks like 0 or even 8. Hard to tell. On the other side I see some symbols that are very difficult for me to make out. Any additional info appreciated.

03-07-2011, 11:56 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	Ok, I can tell you that it is a Mauser made (code name S/42) made in 1938 (date) and the serial number is almost surely 7397f, as the last two of the serial number is the numbers seen throughout the gun. The plexiglass grips were not an uncommon item to put on a captured pistol, I have seen them on a Femaru, many lugers, Nambu's and even a 1911A1 (US bring back) and others. The eagle and such on the right side are proof and acceptance markings, showing it was ok by the military and the factory for issue. 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

03-03-2011, 02:20 PM	#2
azrael_cervale User Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I'm new here as well but I can say they'll need to see the top of the Luger for the manufacturer and as many other markings as you can provide, especially the ones in the front right hand side by the barrel. Also whether or not the serial number is 4 or 5 digits long.