1937 Marked S/42 Just Purchased Please Review and Comment

Lugermeister · 02-09-2018, 12:34 AM

Well, I've waited a long time to purchase my first Luger. The one in the pictures attached is a 1937 marked S/42. I just took it out of the box, along with four other Mauser Pocket Pistols I purchased from an elderly gentleman in his 80's. He's had these 5 guns and many more, for 40 plus years. I'll post a picture of the 5 and then pics of the Luger, for which I would like some help.

I searched here http://www.lugerforum.com/index.html, but still need some help. Even with my magnifying glass, some of the symbols etc were hard for me to see.

A few pictures to start, as my picture size is too large I guess. I'll reply to the post with more pictures.

I look forward to comments, thoughts and a good education.

Thanks all in advance for helping me out.

Lugermeister · 02-09-2018, 12:48 AM

More Pics. All external numbers match, to include magazine and grips.

Lugermeister · 02-09-2018, 12:55 AM

More pics.

ithacaartist · 02-09-2018, 01:28 AM

Lou,

With all these old pistols, you're now a steward of history!

Nice that the Luger totally matches, even the mag, but I can see what you mean about the markings. The fairly heavy buffing that was applied at some time has obscured the proofs, etc., somewhat. The pistol also appears to have been reblued in the hot dip process. which is not contemporaneous with strawed small parts.

The good news is that all matching guns make fine, dependable shooters way more often than not. And it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser at the range. Enjoy!

DonVoigt · 02-09-2018, 08:21 AM

Hi and welcome.

Just a note on the holster, it is for a M1896 Mauser "broomhandle" and is not a luger holster.
I note it has the luger serial number stamped on the back, I doubt this marking is original, and the holster itself may be a reproduction.

Enjoy your luger and the other pistols, the luger should be a good shooter.

mrerick · 02-09-2018, 11:01 AM

You'll probably enjoy our FAQ document, available through the FAQ link at the top of each forum page.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121

rhuff · 02-09-2018, 01:10 PM

As noted above, there are some areas where it has been buffed significantly. Perhaps that was done to remove some rust pitting, or someone that had no idea how to buff correctly. Definitely a reblue, but it looks pretty good from the photos. Should be a good shooter for you. Enjoy!!

pursihei · 02-11-2018, 05:13 AM

The grips and the clip seem original and are collectible. I personally would replace them with repros and use the gun as a shooter.

HerrKaiser · 02-18-2018, 08:20 PM

Also one thing I did note, side plate numbered 69 so not a complete match. Either way its a very nice looking gun, ought to make a fine shooter.

Sergio Natali · 02-19-2018, 12:27 PM

Very nice Luger, it's a shame that it got refinished, as normally any restoration kills the value of the pistol.

02-09-2018, 12:34 AM	#1
Lugermeister User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	1937 Marked S/42 Just Purchased Please Review and Comment Well, I've waited a long time to purchase my first Luger. The one in the pictures attached is a 1937 marked S/42. I just took it out of the box, along with four other Mauser Pocket Pistols I purchased from an elderly gentleman in his 80's. He's had these 5 guns and many more, for 40 plus years. I'll post a picture of the 5 and then pics of the Luger, for which I would like some help. I searched here http://www.lugerforum.com/index.html, but still need some help. Even with my magnifying glass, some of the symbols etc were hard for me to see. A few pictures to start, as my picture size is too large I guess. I'll reply to the post with more pictures. I look forward to comments, thoughts and a good education. Thanks all in advance for helping me out. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Lugermeister

02-09-2018, 12:48 AM	#2
Lugermeister User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	More Pics. All external numbers match, to include magazine and grips. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Lugermeister

02-09-2018, 12:55 AM	#3
Lugermeister User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	More pics. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Lugermeister

02-09-2018, 01:28 AM	#4
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,373 Thanks: 7,446 Thanked 2,613 Times in 1,380 Posts	Lou, With all these old pistols, you're now a steward of history! Nice that the Luger totally matches, even the mag, but I can see what you mean about the markings. The fairly heavy buffing that was applied at some time has obscured the proofs, etc., somewhat. The pistol also appears to have been reblued in the hot dip process. which is not contemporaneous with strawed small parts. The good news is that all matching guns make fine, dependable shooters way more often than not. And it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser at the range. Enjoy! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

02-09-2018, 08:21 AM	#5
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,355 Times in 2,041 Posts	Hi and welcome. Just a note on the holster, it is for a M1896 Mauser "broomhandle" and is not a luger holster. I note it has the luger serial number stamped on the back, I doubt this marking is original, and the holster itself may be a reproduction. Enjoy your luger and the other pistols, the luger should be a good shooter. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

02-09-2018, 11:01 AM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	You'll probably enjoy our FAQ document, available through the FAQ link at the top of each forum page. http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121 __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

02-09-2018, 01:10 PM	#7
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,307 Thanks: 2,737 Thanked 993 Times in 729 Posts	As noted above, there are some areas where it has been buffed significantly. Perhaps that was done to remove some rust pitting, or someone that had no idea how to buff correctly. Definitely a reblue, but it looks pretty good from the photos. Should be a good shooter for you. Enjoy!! __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

02-11-2018, 05:13 AM	#8
pursihei User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	The grips and the clip seem original and are collectible. I personally would replace them with repros and use the gun as a shooter. __________________ JPu

02-18-2018, 08:20 PM	#9
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 868 Thanks: 816 Thanked 882 Times in 424 Posts	Also one thing I did note, side plate numbered 69 so not a complete match. Either way its a very nice looking gun, ought to make a fine shooter.

02-19-2018, 12:27 PM	#10
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	Very nice Luger, it's a shame that it got refinished, as normally any restoration kills the value of the pistol. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.