Introduction and help with suffix identification

[Geladen]

Hello All,

I'm a 34 year old gun enthusiast/collector based out of Florida. I only collect military firearms with a focus on WW2. I recently acquired my first Luger. It's a byf 41 with a properly stamped fxo magazine with nonserialized black bakelite bottom. I bought it from the grandson of a US Army officer that graduated West Point in 1944 (would finish his military career a Captain), immediately was sent to Europe, and returned in 1945. Along the way, he acquired this Luger and brought it back to the states, so the story goes. It came with a holster and a second magazine that doesn't match the gun, but may belong with the holster, which I don't believe matches the gun based on my limited knowledge and research (will make another post for that). The gun, including the grips, shows up a little darker in these pictures than they really are.

I haven't fully stripped it down to check the serial numbers on internal parts, but all numbers on exterior match. I am having trouble confidently identifying the serial number suffix. I have included some pictures for reference. I originally thought it was a "f", but upon further research, I now believe it to be a "t".

Already planning on my next Luger purchase, which I would like to be a S/42 version.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[gunnertwo]

Link to the different types of suffix letters:

https://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=34813

[Geladen]

Originally Posted by gunnertwo

Link to the different types of suffix letters:

https://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=34813

Thank you for the link. I had come across some of that info on a page but couldn't navigate to the letters I needed to look at. I saw it mentioned that they are working on fixing the buttons on that page, which is a great resource.

[tharpo]

Yes that is a "t".

[Geladen]

Originally Posted by tharpo

Yes that is a "t".

Thanks for confirming. Once I saw the info at the link that gunnertwo posted, I realized it was definitely a "t". Just want to make sure I have my details correct.

[Geladen]

Slightly better picture of the left side of the gun. More to come.

[Kiwi]

Check out the FAQ's - a good reference start

https://forum.lugerforum.com/showpos...75&postcount=2

[Geladen]

Finally did a partial takedown of the gun. Wanted to get s look at the inside and verify some more matching numbers. Looks to be all matching from what I've seen. More to come.

[Dave Sanders]

Those are really great close up pictures and so clear. How did you get such good pictures if you don't mind me asking?
Dave

[Geladen]

Originally Posted by Dave Sanders

Those are really great close up pictures and so clear. How did you get such good pictures if you don't mind me asking?
Dave

Hey Dave,

I was using the camera on my phone, a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. They take pretty high quality pictures so you can zoom in quite a bit without losing much quality. Phones these days have some pretty decent cameras on them.

[Dave Sanders]

Wow, that is impressive for a phone camera. I wouldn't have believed it. Thanks.
Dave