Help to ID a real "Black Widow" Luger

wdavid431 · 02-06-2006, 10:49 PM

How can a real Mauser German Luger, 1941-1942, be identified as a true "Black Widow" instead of one dipped or blued to look like one? I read somewhere of the items to look for but cannot remember what they were or where I saw it.
This is a new area for me and I need any help I can get. This forum has members whose knowledge of Lugers is great. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

02-06-2006, 11:13 PM

A byf code 41 or 42 with black plastic grips and a black base on the magazine. There are no strawed parts at this time in the war. So it is really just the grips and mag that cause it to be called a Black Widow.

02-06-2006, 11:15 PM

Also be aware of repro black grips. You need to see some greal grips and the repros side by side. My experience is the repros don't fit as well as original grips.

Edward Tinker · 02-06-2006, 11:22 PM

also look under the FAQ, New collectors area; there is information there...

wdavid431 · 02-09-2006, 06:37 AM

Thanks for the help.

Pete Ebbink · 02-09-2006, 06:53 AM

Warren,

The Mauser folks here in the past have indicated the true "Black Widows" started in the "t" suffix block of the '41 byf production. Any earlier would indicate someone just added the black grips and magazine to enhance a luger's value.

The term Black Widow is just a USA marketing ploy started by sellers to get folks thinking they were solely SS lugers...hoping folks would pay more for them. It is sort of worked...

Gun show lore is that Shattuck out of Peoria, AZ started the Black Widow buzz and I am sure it has brought in monies for him and others.

02-06-2006, 10:49 PM	#1
wdavid431 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 135 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Help to ID a real "Black Widow" Luger How can a real Mauser German Luger, 1941-1942, be identified as a true "Black Widow" instead of one dipped or blued to look like one? I read somewhere of the items to look for but cannot remember what they were or where I saw it. This is a new area for me and I need any help I can get. This forum has members whose knowledge of Lugers is great. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks. __________________ W David

02-09-2006, 06:37 AM	#5
wdavid431 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 135 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks for the help. __________________ W David

02-06-2006, 11:13 PM	#2
RGARRETT Guest Posts: n/a	A byf code 41 or 42 with black plastic grips and a black base on the magazine. There are no strawed parts at this time in the war. So it is really just the grips and mag that cause it to be called a Black Widow.

02-06-2006, 11:15 PM	#3
RGARRETT Guest Posts: n/a	Also be aware of repro black grips. You need to see some greal grips and the repros side by side. My experience is the repros don't fit as well as original grips.

02-06-2006, 11:22 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	also look under the FAQ, New collectors area; there is information there...

02-09-2006, 06:53 AM	#6
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Warren, The Mauser folks here in the past have indicated the true "Black Widows" started in the "t" suffix block of the '41 byf production. Any earlier would indicate someone just added the black grips and magazine to enhance a luger's value. The term Black Widow is just a USA marketing ploy started by sellers to get folks thinking they were solely SS lugers...hoping folks would pay more for them. It is sort of worked... Gun show lore is that Shattuck out of Peoria, AZ started the Black Widow buzz and I am sure it has brought in monies for him and others.