S/42 vs. 42

BJM1861 · 12-23-2011, 11:12 PM

What's the difference between an s/42 code versus just a regular 42 code? Looked at a 1940 date but it was marked '42' just never seen one before...Thanks

Norme · 12-23-2011, 11:27 PM

Hi Brandon, Welcome to the forum! Both S/42 and 42 were code for Mauser. The changeover took place during 1939. Regards, Norm

mrerick · 12-24-2011, 09:35 AM

Hi Brandon, and welcome to the forum.

"S/42" "42" and "byf" were all government mandated ordnance concealment codes for Mauser manufactured guns.

At specific times during WW-II the German government office responsible for such things changed codes.

After WW-I, the Versailles treaty only allowed rework or manufacture of Lugers by Simson & Co. of Suhl Germany. There is speculation that the inclusion of "S" in the earlier Mauser code was intended to encourage the mis-identification of early Mauser guns as being made or reworked by Simson. The first Mauser military Lugers were marked with "K" (1934) and "G" (1935) date codes and a S/42 toggle. Early Krieghoff Lugers were also marked with "S".

By 1940, the Germans probably no longer saw any need to include the "S"...

Marc

12-23-2011, 11:12 PM	#1
BJM1861 New User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	S/42 vs. 42 What's the difference between an s/42 code versus just a regular 42 code? Looked at a 1940 date but it was marked '42' just never seen one before...Thanks

12-24-2011, 09:35 AM	#3
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,919 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Hi Brandon, and welcome to the forum. "S/42" "42" and "byf" were all government mandated ordnance concealment codes for Mauser manufactured guns. At specific times during WW-II the German government office responsible for such things changed codes. After WW-I, the Versailles treaty only allowed rework or manufacture of Lugers by Simson & Co. of Suhl Germany. There is speculation that the inclusion of "S" in the earlier Mauser code was intended to encourage the mis-identification of early Mauser guns as being made or reworked by Simson. The first Mauser military Lugers were marked with "K" (1934) and "G" (1935) date codes and a S/42 toggle. Early Krieghoff Lugers were also marked with "S". By 1940, the Germans probably no longer saw any need to include the "S"... Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-23-2011, 11:27 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 Brandon, Welcome to the forum! Both S/42 and 42 were code for Mauser. The changeover took place during 1939. Regards, Norm