Straw parts

Major Tom · 03-12-2018, 10:34 AM

I have a 1939 Mauser 42 in very good condition. I have read where Mauser stopped 'strawing' parts in the early 1930's. My Mauser has strawed parts most notably the piece on the right side (thin, narrow, long). I don't remember the parts name. So, would this be correct?

ithacaartist · 03-12-2018, 10:45 AM

it is the ejector. Probably not strawed, but displaying color from heat treating. Pics would help.

Major Tom · 03-12-2018, 11:19 AM

A photo of right side of 1939 mauser 42

DonVoigt · 03-12-2018, 11:36 AM

Strawing stopped in mid 1937(on military lugers by Mauser, though they did continue to use strawing on some commercial models).
But yours is a military model and should not be strawed.

Your ejector is red in tone from the hot bluing salts, they give a red tone on some alloys and on parts with different heat treatment. Red tones are often seen on the ejector, extractor, and the receiver of Mausers made from 1937 to 1940- it took Mauser a while to get the salt bath "right".

mrerick · 03-12-2018, 11:57 AM

Strawed parts were still used on commercial Mauser Lugers after 1937. I agree with Don that the one you have is "plum" to "red" in color due to salt bluing and alloy content of the ejector.

It may be a shadow or object behind the gun, but I don't see the Mauser "hump" you would expect on a 1939 frame in your picture. The back of the ear of your frame looks straight in the photo. That change also occurred in early 1937.

Major Tom · 03-13-2018, 10:09 AM

It is stamped '1939' above the chamber. 4 digit serial number ending in 01.

03-12-2018, 10:34 AM	#1
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 229 Times in 125 Posts	Straw parts I have a 1939 Mauser 42 in very good condition. I have read where Mauser stopped 'strawing' parts in the early 1930's. My Mauser has strawed parts most notably the piece on the right side (thin, narrow, long). I don't remember the parts name. So, would this be correct? __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

03-12-2018, 10:45 AM	#2
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 7,558 Thanked 2,643 Times in 1,393 Posts	it is the ejector. Probably not strawed, but displaying color from heat treating. Pics would help. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

03-12-2018, 11:36 AM	#4
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,356 Times in 2,041 Posts	Strawing stopped in mid 1937(on military lugers by Mauser, though they did continue to use strawing on some commercial models). But yours is a military model and should not be strawed. Your ejector is red in tone from the hot bluing salts, they give a red tone on some alloys and on parts with different heat treatment. Red tones are often seen on the ejector, extractor, and the receiver of Mausers made from 1937 to 1940- it took Mauser a while to get the salt bath "right". __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

03-12-2018, 11:57 AM	#5
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	Strawed parts were still used on commercial Mauser Lugers after 1937. I agree with Don that the one you have is "plum" to "red" in color due to salt bluing and alloy content of the ejector. It may be a shadow or object behind the gun, but I don't see the Mauser "hump" you would expect on a 1939 frame in your picture. The back of the ear of your frame looks straight in the photo. That change also occurred in early 1937. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

03-13-2018, 10:09 AM	#6
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 229 Times in 125 Posts	It is stamped '1939' above the chamber. 4 digit serial number ending in 01. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes