What have I got?

ricusa · 11-07-2013, 05:29 PM

This one was brought back by my father in law from ww11. All numbers seem to be matching, and have the papers to bring it home. Any info would be great.

ricusa · 11-07-2013, 05:35 PM

A couple more pics to help in id.

Arizona Slim · 11-07-2013, 06:37 PM

Hi Richard and welcome to the forum, be patient and the real experts will way in shortly but this
information may help until they do. first let me say your pistol and holster look to be in great condition. your Luger is a byf (Mauser) manufactured in 1942, the mag is a desirable fxo Haenel which I believe is correct for that pistol. Your holster Was manufactured by Otto Graf in Leipzig in 1940 also correct for your Luger.

Lon

Edward Tinker · 11-07-2013, 06:40 PM

this is a byf (Mauser) 42 (1942) - if it had black grips, folks would call it a 'black widow' which was a USA term btw.

Ed

Frank · 11-07-2013, 07:15 PM

ricusa, welcome to the Luger Forum. Your Luger 42 byf, S/N 5221c was completed in Februry 1942 (approximately). Nice looking pistol!

mrerick · 11-07-2013, 07:27 PM

Is there anything stamped inside the trigger plate? If so, it should be the number "53". It might be blank inside.

If all matching, and in original finish this is a collectable Luger.

Marc

Ron Wood · 11-07-2013, 07:38 PM

ricusa,
I agree with the other folks that your gun and holster appear to be in very nice condition. However, there is an odd machined indentation on the frame around the right side of the take down lever. It is not factory original and I am puzzled what it may be. Hopefully other members can comment on this.

alanint · 11-07-2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

ricusa,
I agree with the other folks that your gun and holster appear to be in very nice condition. However, there is an odd machined indentation on the frame around the right side of the take down lever. It is not factory original and I am puzzled what it may be. Hopefully other members can comment on this.

Ron,

I will wager that those are the marks made by a tool which was used to try and pound out the takedown lever by someone unfamiliar with the takedown procedures.

It sadly somewhat hurts the value.

rolandtg · 11-07-2013, 07:52 PM

That "indentation" looks like scratches to me. I think it's the camera angle.

Very nice example!
I'll add the obligatory don't store it in the holster.

ricusa · 11-07-2013, 09:26 PM

Yes it looks like scratches around the take down lever. Someone most likely tried to drive it out. Can just this area be repaired and not hurt the value too much? Also there is a # 53 on the backside of the side plate. Thanks for all your help!

Tony Min · 11-07-2013, 09:40 PM

Your Luger is beautiful. I wouldn't attempt any repairs or changes. For all we know the scratches might have been made by a soldier in the field.

Sergio Natali · 11-08-2013, 07:33 AM

First of all welcome to our Forum made of LUGER enthusiasts.
Congratulations as to me it's quite a nice rig, and good things to keep as a memory of your father in law.
The "byf 42" and the "P08" stamped tell us that probably it is what some US collectors called a "black widow" originally with black bakelite grips and un-numbered black plastic magazine bottoms, and if I'm not wrong these were the very last Lugers produced by Mauser in 1942.

11-07-2013, 06:40 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,608 Times in 2,123 Posts	this is a byf (Mauser) 42 (1942) - if it had black grips, folks would call it a 'black widow' which was a USA term btw. 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

11-07-2013, 07:27 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,139 Times in 1,520 Posts	Is there anything stamped inside the trigger plate? If so, it should be the number "53". It might be blank inside. If all matching, and in original finish this is a collectable Luger. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-07-2013, 07:38 PM	#7
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,051 Thanks: 1,120 Thanked 5,287 Times in 1,728 Posts	ricusa, I agree with the other folks that your gun and holster appear to be in very nice condition. However, there is an odd machined indentation on the frame around the right side of the take down lever. It is not factory original and I am puzzled what it may be. Hopefully other members can comment on this. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-08-2013, 07:33 AM	#12
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	First of all welcome to our Forum made of LUGER enthusiasts. Congratulations as to me it's quite a nice rig, and good things to keep as a memory of your father in law. The "byf 42" and the "P08" stamped tell us that probably it is what some US collectors called a "black widow" originally with black bakelite grips and un-numbered black plastic magazine bottoms, and if I'm not wrong these were the very last Lugers produced by Mauser in 1942. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

11-07-2013, 06:37 PM	#3
Arizona Slim Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 706 Thanks: 1,026 Thanked 409 Times in 225 Posts	Hi Richard and welcome to the forum, be patient and the real experts will way in shortly but this information may help until they do. first let me say your pistol and holster look to be in great condition. your Luger is a byf (Mauser) manufactured in 1942, the mag is a desirable fxo Haenel which I believe is correct for that pistol. Your holster Was manufactured by Otto Graf in Leipzig in 1940 also correct for your Luger. Lon

11-07-2013, 07:15 PM	#5
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 165 Times in 87 Posts	ricusa, welcome to the Luger Forum. Your Luger 42 byf, S/N 5221c was completed in Februry 1942 (approximately). Nice looking pistol!

11-07-2013, 07:52 PM	#9
rolandtg User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 480 Thanks: 394 Thanked 266 Times in 115 Posts	That "indentation" looks like scratches to me. I think it's the camera angle. Very nice example! I'll add the obligatory don't store it in the holster.

11-07-2013, 09:26 PM	#10
ricusa New User Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes it looks like scratches around the take down lever. Someone most likely tried to drive it out. Can just this area be repaired and not hurt the value too much? Also there is a # 53 on the backside of the side plate. Thanks for all your help!

11-07-2013, 09:40 PM	#11
Tony Min User Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 169 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 14 Posts	Your Luger is beautiful. I wouldn't attempt any repairs or changes. For all we know the scratches might have been made by a soldier in the field.