New Luger owner pistol question

kruuth · 06-23-2017, 01:58 PM

Hello everyone. I joined this forum because I have come into possession of a Luger pistol and I don't really know anything about it. It's marked 1938 on the barrel, and has S/42 on what I am guessing is the extractor. Everything is marked 8689 or 89 and there are three little stampings on the side of the barrel, what looks like two sets of wings and an upside down pentagon. The grips look really odd, they're not wood and have funny vertical lines on them. Are there some resources I should go to?

SIGP2101 · 06-23-2017, 02:21 PM

Resources are right here, post as many pics as you can and this fine bunch will educate you like no other.

SIGP2101

Edward Tinker · 06-23-2017, 02:41 PM

Welcome to the forum!

Is it import marked on the underside of the barrel? As the grips sound like Russian replacement grips.

The S/42 would be on the middle toggle of the toggle and is the code for Mauser at that time.
Other codes are S/42 - 42 - byf

mrerick · 06-23-2017, 05:00 PM

Our FAQ will answer many of your questions. Download the PDF and read through it.

sheepherder · 06-23-2017, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kruuth

The grips look really odd, they're not wood and have funny vertical lines on them.

You should be aware that if they are the black plastic [possibly Bakelite] Russian grips with the vertical grooves, some members here have paid as much as $200 for a pair in very-good condition.

Don't ask me how I know...

DonVoigt · 06-23-2017, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

You should be aware that if they are the black plastic [possibly Bakelite] Russian grips with the vertical grooves, some members here have paid as much as $200 for a pair in very-good condition.

Don't ask me how I know...

And others have paid as little as $35 for an excellent pair- twice.

sheepherder · 06-23-2017, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

And others have paid as little as $35 for an excellent pair- twice.

Like they say in real estate, it's all location, location, location...

kruuth · 06-26-2017, 03:14 PM

OK snapped a picture of the marks on the side of the barrel:

mrerick · 06-26-2017, 03:51 PM

Download our FAQ document. It has answers to many questions.

Those are the Waffenamt acceptance marks and the record that the pistol was proofed prior to shipment to the military.

As mentioned, the grips are likely VoPo / Russian replacement grips. This also means that there is a good likelihood that your Luger was a Russian Capture during WW-II, and rebuilt by the East Germans or Russians after the war for police or military usage.

Marc

kruuth · 06-26-2017, 05:44 PM

Ok, so it looks like I have a Mauser model with german military proof marks and all matching serial numbers that was captured and then used in the Volkspolizei.

kurusu · 06-26-2017, 06:33 PM

Since any one can change a set of grips more photos of the pistol would be in order.

I use replacement VoPo grips in my shooters to avoid damage to the originals. That doesn't make them VoPo pistols.

06-23-2017, 01:58 PM	#1
kruuth New User Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Luger owner pistol question Hello everyone. I joined this forum because I have come into possession of a Luger pistol and I don't really know anything about it. It's marked 1938 on the barrel, and has S/42 on what I am guessing is the extractor. Everything is marked 8689 or 89 and there are three little stampings on the side of the barrel, what looks like two sets of wings and an upside down pentagon. The grips look really odd, they're not wood and have funny vertical lines on them. Are there some resources I should go to?

06-23-2017, 02:41 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	Welcome to the forum! Is it import marked on the underside of the barrel? As the grips sound like Russian replacement grips. The S/42 would be on the middle toggle of the toggle and is the code for Mauser at that time. Other codes are S/42 - 42 - byf __________________ 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

06-23-2017, 05:00 PM	#4
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	Our FAQ will answer many of your questions. Download the PDF and read through it. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

06-26-2017, 03:51 PM	#9
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	Download our FAQ document. It has answers to many questions. Those are the Waffenamt acceptance marks and the record that the pistol was proofed prior to shipment to the military. As mentioned, the grips are likely VoPo / Russian replacement grips. This also means that there is a good likelihood that your Luger was a Russian Capture during WW-II, and rebuilt by the East Germans or Russians after the war for police or military usage. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

06-23-2017, 02:21 PM	#2
SIGP2101 User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 256 Thanks: 74 Thanked 67 Times in 32 Posts	Resources are right here, post as many pics as you can and this fine bunch will educate you like no other. SIGP2101

06-26-2017, 03:14 PM	#8
kruuth New User Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OK snapped a picture of the marks on the side of the barrel:

06-26-2017, 05:44 PM	#10
kruuth New User Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ok, so it looks like I have a Mauser model with german military proof marks and all matching serial numbers that was captured and then used in the Volkspolizei.

06-26-2017, 06:33 PM	#11
kurusu User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 2,679 Thanked 930 Times in 509 Posts	Since any one can change a set of grips more photos of the pistol would be in order. I use replacement VoPo grips in my shooters to avoid damage to the originals. That doesn't make them VoPo pistols.