41 Dated Code 42

Lyn Islaub · 06-04-2015, 02:22 PM

I picked up this rig from the veterans family at a militaria show a couple of weeks ago. It supposedly had been in a drawer since 1945. I had to soak it in Hoppe's #9 for a few hours to get it apart and to get rid of all the varnish, so I suspect it had been sitting for a very long time. Turns out it's an all matching (including the magazine) 90% pistol with a great bore. The wear seems associated with sitting in the holster for years.The holster is a 1916 with an FXO E37 magazine and an E63 tool. Don't know if they were matched up during or after the war. The soldier was in the 397F/A as part of the 104th Division and was in combat for over 150 consecutive days. Not many of these 41 dated Code 42Lugers survived and even fewer with a matching magazine.
My pictures aren't great, but we keep working on them.
Lyn

Edward Tinker · 06-04-2015, 02:40 PM

Looks like a nice one to me

Sergio Natali · 06-04-2015, 04:03 PM

Lyn

I'm not that sure about the holster but the gun looks like a fine Luger with some honest wear.

Sergio

alanint · 06-05-2015, 01:37 PM

The holster is a converted artillery with what looks like someone's initials pressed into the lid.

Lyn Islaub · 06-05-2015, 03:31 PM

I believe you are correct about it being a converted artillery holster. It is dated 1916 and there is the name of a German soldier written on the outside of the tool holder flap. Whoever converted the holster was quite a saddler as it was nicely done. I figure that the GI that brought the Luger home mated it up with any holster he could find at war's end and sent it home as a rig. The major find in this acquisition is the Luger itself, as 41 dated Code 42s are quite rare to find and even rarer with a matching magazine.

rhinemann · 06-05-2015, 04:21 PM

Nice 41/42 Luger you found Lyn. You are correct about your pistol being a rarer variety. Not often seen. Nice catch.

Jeffrey

06-04-2015, 02:40 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,607 Times in 2,123 Posts	Looks like a nice one to me __________________ 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

06-04-2015, 04:03 PM	#3
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Lyn I'm not that sure about the holster but the gun looks like a fine Luger with some honest wear. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

06-05-2015, 01:37 PM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	The holster is a converted artillery with what looks like someone's initials pressed into the lid.

06-05-2015, 03:31 PM	#5
Lyn Islaub Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 435 Thanks: 3 Thanked 152 Times in 72 Posts	I believe you are correct about it being a converted artillery holster. It is dated 1916 and there is the name of a German soldier written on the outside of the tool holder flap. Whoever converted the holster was quite a saddler as it was nicely done. I figure that the GI that brought the Luger home mated it up with any holster he could find at war's end and sent it home as a rig. The major find in this acquisition is the Luger itself, as 41 dated Code 42s are quite rare to find and even rarer with a matching magazine.

06-05-2015, 04:21 PM	#6
rhinemann User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: S. Calif. Posts: 68 Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 13 Posts	Nice 41/42 Luger you found Lyn. You are correct about your pistol being a rarer variety. Not often seen. Nice catch. Jeffrey