Swastika and Marks question...

Sergeant215 · 05-17-2004, 03:19 PM

My stepfather passed away over a year ago now. My mother gave me a number of Lugers he had been collecting. Most of them are your usual types, but this one is different. I tried searching your different posts to try and find an answer but have been unable to find anything relevant to this gun. It has wooden grips and the swastika on it. Also odd numbers on the frame and barrel of then gun. I'll try and attach photos of it. Can anybody tell me something about this other than the obvious? It is a 1941 byf. I haven't seen any other guns with swastikas on the grips. Common / Uncommon?? Thank you!

Edward Tinker · 05-17-2004, 03:52 PM

From everything I have read, ALL items shown were added later, probably by the GI that owned it, or an enterprising German.

Ed

Frank · 05-17-2004, 05:18 PM

Barry, I have to agree with Ed regarding the medallions. However, your byf 41 is exciting because of the E/655 and E/135 Waffenamt Marks on the right side of the receiver.

Besides the one I have, I have only seen one other than yours and only heard of perhaps a dozen others.

Would you please tell me the serial number of your nice Luger!! Thanks

Sergeant215 · 05-17-2004, 05:52 PM

THanks for the replies guys. The serial number is 6636. No letters or anything else. What would be the significance of the E/655 and E/135 Waffenamt Marks?

Frank · 05-17-2004, 09:08 PM

Barry, earlier byf 41 Lugers were inspected by Waffenamt (Weapons Office) Inspector whose mark was E/655. Later the E/135 Inspector took over. Your pistol is the transition between these inspectors. Usually both inspector marks are the same, ie either E/655 & E/655 or E/135 & E/135. Seldom do you see the mixture!! Congratulations!!

Sergeant215 · 05-18-2004, 04:37 AM

Thanks Frank. From reading your posts and others on these forums, I've learned a lot about P08's. These guns are really fascinating...you really wish they could talk and tell you where they've been and what they've seen. Unfortunately from reading other posts, it looks like it's impossible to find out which guns were assigned to different people. But learning about the different numbers on the guns are very interesting.

Frank...Ed.....Thanks...

SGT 215

minigun · 05-19-2004, 03:39 AM

Okay, on the right side of this pistol,is that blood that took off the bluing like I've seen on other pistols here on this forum? Sure looks like the same kind of "bluing solvent" where the blood was left on the gun for so long and the blood ate away at the finish.

John Sabato · 05-19-2004, 09:38 AM

This could very well be blood pitting... blood doesn't take very long to remove gun blue...

05-17-2004, 03:19 PM	#1
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Swastika and Marks question... My stepfather passed away over a year ago now. My mother gave me a number of Lugers he had been collecting. Most of them are your usual types, but this one is different. I tried searching your different posts to try and find an answer but have been unable to find anything relevant to this gun. It has wooden grips and the swastika on it. Also odd numbers on the frame and barrel of then gun. I'll try and attach photos of it. Can anybody tell me something about this other than the obvious? It is a 1941 byf. I haven't seen any other guns with swastikas on the grips. Common / Uncommon?? Thank you!

05-17-2004, 03:52 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,995 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	From everything I have read, ALL items shown were added later, probably by the GI that owned it, or an enterprising German. 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

05-19-2004, 09:38 AM	#8
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,152 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	This could very well be blood pitting... blood doesn't take very long to remove gun blue... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

05-17-2004, 05:18 PM	#3
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Barry, I have to agree with Ed regarding the medallions. However, your byf 41 is exciting because of the E/655 and E/135 Waffenamt Marks on the right side of the receiver. Besides the one I have, I have only seen one other than yours and only heard of perhaps a dozen others. Would you please tell me the serial number of your nice Luger!! Thanks

05-17-2004, 05:52 PM	#4
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	THanks for the replies guys. The serial number is 6636. No letters or anything else. What would be the significance of the E/655 and E/135 Waffenamt Marks?

05-17-2004, 09:08 PM	#5
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Barry, earlier byf 41 Lugers were inspected by Waffenamt (Weapons Office) Inspector whose mark was E/655. Later the E/135 Inspector took over. Your pistol is the transition between these inspectors. Usually both inspector marks are the same, ie either E/655 & E/655 or E/135 & E/135. Seldom do you see the mixture!! Congratulations!!

05-18-2004, 04:37 AM	#6
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Frank. From reading your posts and others on these forums, I've learned a lot about P08's. These guns are really fascinating...you really wish they could talk and tell you where they've been and what they've seen. Unfortunately from reading other posts, it looks like it's impossible to find out which guns were assigned to different people. But learning about the different numbers on the guns are very interesting. Frank...Ed.....Thanks... SGT 215

05-19-2004, 03:39 AM	#7
minigun User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 424 Thanks: 15 Thanked 19 Times in 14 Posts	Okay, on the right side of this pistol,is that blood that took off the bluing like I've seen on other pistols here on this forum? Sure looks like the same kind of "bluing solvent" where the blood was left on the gun for so long and the blood ate away at the finish.