My first Luger (matching byf 41 with matching # mags and holster) - pics

mp43sniper · 06-29-2008, 11:15 AM

I posted this on the G/K43 forum yesterday and it was recommended I come here for some help with the markings on my new (to me) Luger.

Bought my first Luger Saturday. It's a 90-95% finish, all matching byf 41 with matching magazines and possibly the original holster. This was a gun show purchase from a collector who buys and sells older pistols. He basically "interviewed" me about what I wanted, when I would sell if ever, etc etc. Nice guy - no pressure. He told me to walk around and let him know what was there and we talked about everything and what would work best for me. It came down to a 75-80% finish, all matching one (can't remember the code/year) with non matching mag and no holster and this one. Prices were way different. He said this one and two others were better investments and the cheapest one would be a great entry/shooter gun. He described the pros/cons of both and I left to go eat my $2 hot dog while my guts were all twisted up. (I drove 3 and a half hours to get to the show, with the purchase of a Luger the only reason I got out of bed)

I realize that it's completely retarded to head out of the house thinking that come hell or high water I'm coming home with a certain thing. Especially since I have done very little reseach on this weapon which is extremely complicated and has many multiple "sub categories" when it comes to collecting. Still, I was hoping it would work out.

Because I had the money and knew WWII weapons are the best investment you can shake a stick at, I decided on the nicer of the two I could afford. I probably won't shoot it much and will still look for a deal on a "shooter" because of the condition of this one, but in the mean time I can relax and know that I didn't miss the boat on Lugers.

Please check out the pics and let me know what you think. I have no idea how to tell if it's a police pistol, etc so any help is appreciated.

I'd appreciate any comments you guys have, especially on the markings, codes, etc. The photos have some glare in them. The bluing is very nice with some holster wear but I haven't used a magnifying glass to determine if it's been reblued.

Thanks,
Craig

alvin · 06-29-2008, 11:31 AM

Craig -- It's a great rig. You mentioned "He described the pros/cons of both".... could you share what he said the cons of this one?

Welcome to the forum.

Frank · 06-29-2008, 11:40 AM

Hi Sniper, I don't know how much you paid, but you got one hell of a nice rig. There appears to be some stippling on the top of the chamber and a little on the barrel. It could be the photos or maybe not.

All I can say is CONGRATULATIONS!!

mp43sniper · 06-29-2008, 03:14 PM

Alvin,

The cons of the cheaper one were the fact that it didn't have any matching mags, much less finish left on it, and would therefore always be a higher end "shooter". This one's cons were basically that it was a much higher investment, wouldn't be one to play with much, but still wasn't a higher end super duper collector Luger. He didn't steer me either way but told me after I bought it that I would have regretted buying the cheaper one and I totally agree with him now that I have it home with it's holster and matching mags.

Can anybody tell me what the star or asterisk type symbol is on the right side of the barrel? It's bugging me because I haven't found any other photos with that by using the search function.

Thanks again,
Craig

Ron Smith · 06-29-2008, 03:30 PM

Craig,

You done good...

The mark on the barrel is an inspectors rejection stamp. I have seen it on P.38s , but this the first that I have seen it on a Luger part. I don't collect Mauser Lugers, so it may be more common than I think it is. On WWI Imperial Lugers it would be a Crown over RC.

It only means that the barrel didn't pass initial inspection and was returned to the shop to be brought up to standard. As I said , more commonly found on P.38s.

Ron

alvin · 06-29-2008, 03:54 PM

"Third Reich Lugers" (Still, 1988) shows another sample. Page 67, 1940 dated 4487c, with barrel asterisk.

====

In the longer run, need this book, so we can stand on shoulders of giants. Unfortunately, very expansive these days.

Ron Smith · 06-30-2008, 09:58 AM

Craig,

I replied to your PM. Did it come through?

Ron

mp43sniper · 06-30-2008, 11:03 AM

Ron,

Got it and just sent you a reply. Thanks again.

Craig

mp43sniper · 06-30-2008, 10:58 PM

I fired the old girl today. Had to take it along with me to work because it's my favorite toy at the moment. Wouldn't you know it first thing this morning I was traveling a new haul road above one of our strip mines, and the truck got hopelessly stuck on a slope and I couldn't move. While waiting for a D11 to pull me out, I put a piece of paper on a nearby pine tree and tested out the Luger. It worked flawlessly (with a loud CRACK I might add).

Now that I'm finally home I have it cleaned up and wiped down. Pretty neat. I'm ready for a shooter now! Who wants to sell me one? (Don't tell my wife!)

Craig

06-29-2008, 11:15 AM	#1
mp43sniper User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My first Luger (matching byf 41 with matching # mags and holster) - pics I posted this on the G/K43 forum yesterday and it was recommended I come here for some help with the markings on my new (to me) Luger. Bought my first Luger Saturday. It's a 90-95% finish, all matching byf 41 with matching magazines and possibly the original holster. This was a gun show purchase from a collector who buys and sells older pistols. He basically "interviewed" me about what I wanted, when I would sell if ever, etc etc. Nice guy - no pressure. He told me to walk around and let him know what was there and we talked about everything and what would work best for me. It came down to a 75-80% finish, all matching one (can't remember the code/year) with non matching mag and no holster and this one. Prices were way different. He said this one and two others were better investments and the cheapest one would be a great entry/shooter gun. He described the pros/cons of both and I left to go eat my $2 hot dog while my guts were all twisted up. (I drove 3 and a half hours to get to the show, with the purchase of a Luger the only reason I got out of bed) I realize that it's completely retarded to head out of the house thinking that come hell or high water I'm coming home with a certain thing. Especially since I have done very little reseach on this weapon which is extremely complicated and has many multiple "sub categories" when it comes to collecting. Still, I was hoping it would work out. Because I had the money and knew WWII weapons are the best investment you can shake a stick at, I decided on the nicer of the two I could afford. I probably won't shoot it much and will still look for a deal on a "shooter" because of the condition of this one, but in the mean time I can relax and know that I didn't miss the boat on Lugers. Please check out the pics and let me know what you think. I have no idea how to tell if it's a police pistol, etc so any help is appreciated. I'd appreciate any comments you guys have, especially on the markings, codes, etc. The photos have some glare in them. The bluing is very nice with some holster wear but I haven't used a magnifying glass to determine if it's been reblued. Thanks, Craig Last edited by mp43sniper; 07-09-2010 at 10:46 AM.

06-29-2008, 03:30 PM	#5
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Craig, You done good... The mark on the barrel is an inspectors rejection stamp. I have seen it on P.38s , but this the first that I have seen it on a Luger part. I don't collect Mauser Lugers, so it may be more common than I think it is. On WWI Imperial Lugers it would be a Crown over RC. It only means that the barrel didn't pass initial inspection and was returned to the shop to be brought up to standard. As I said , more commonly found on P.38s. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

06-30-2008, 09:58 AM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Craig, I replied to your PM. Did it come through? Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

06-29-2008, 11:31 AM	#2
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Craig -- It's a great rig. You mentioned "He described the pros/cons of both".... could you share what he said the cons of this one? Welcome to the forum.

06-29-2008, 11:40 AM	#3
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 164 Times in 87 Posts	Hi Sniper, I don't know how much you paid, but you got one hell of a nice rig. There appears to be some stippling on the top of the chamber and a little on the barrel. It could be the photos or maybe not. All I can say is CONGRATULATIONS!!

06-29-2008, 03:14 PM	#4
mp43sniper User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Alvin, The cons of the cheaper one were the fact that it didn't have any matching mags, much less finish left on it, and would therefore always be a higher end "shooter". This one's cons were basically that it was a much higher investment, wouldn't be one to play with much, but still wasn't a higher end super duper collector Luger. He didn't steer me either way but told me after I bought it that I would have regretted buying the cheaper one and I totally agree with him now that I have it home with it's holster and matching mags. Can anybody tell me what the star or asterisk type symbol is on the right side of the barrel? It's bugging me because I haven't found any other photos with that by using the search function. Thanks again, Craig

06-29-2008, 03:54 PM	#6
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	"Third Reich Lugers" (Still, 1988) shows another sample. Page 67, 1940 dated 4487c, with barrel asterisk. ==== In the longer run, need this book, so we can stand on shoulders of giants. Unfortunately, very expansive these days.

06-30-2008, 11:03 AM	#8
mp43sniper User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ron, Got it and just sent you a reply. Thanks again. Craig

06-30-2008, 10:58 PM	#9
mp43sniper User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I fired the old girl today. Had to take it along with me to work because it's my favorite toy at the moment. Wouldn't you know it first thing this morning I was traveling a new haul road above one of our strip mines, and the truck got hopelessly stuck on a slope and I couldn't move. While waiting for a D11 to pull me out, I put a piece of paper on a nearby pine tree and tested out the Luger. It worked flawlessly (with a loud CRACK I might add). Now that I'm finally home I have it cleaned up and wiped down. Pretty neat. I'm ready for a shooter now! Who wants to sell me one? (Don't tell my wife!) Craig