New guy with a 41 byf marking question.

joew · 11-22-2009, 11:01 PM

Hello, I'm Joe. I just picked up my first Luger at Tulsa last weekend, it's import marked and mostly matching except for the firing pin and mag. If anyone would care to point out anything about it please do; as I know next to nothing.
There is a strange marking just forward of the trigger guard, under the take down lever. Would anyone be familiar with it? It looks like a star burst with maybe a shield, inside.
Nice Board and Thank You,
Joe

11-23-2009, 12:19 AM

Could be Russian capture put into E. German service. A VOPO?

Lugerdoc · 11-23-2009, 10:16 AM

The marking in question appear to be post WW2 DDR proof marks, which are usually stamped on the left receiver above the serial #. There appears to be another marking in that area aft of the serial. Clear close-ups of both areas would be helpful. If your barrel has a C/N proof and perhaps a 3 digit date below the C/N, this could be the reason for the E.German reproofing. TH

Ron Smith · 11-23-2009, 11:15 AM

Hi Joe,

Welcome to the forum.

The mark following the SN is a Russian stamped X. It's a Russian Capture, issued to East German police,(DDR VOPO). The DDR police property stamp isn't commonly found on VOPOs. Not rare, but not common, and would add some desirability to VOPO collectors. Not a bad "first" Luger.

Ron

alanint · 11-23-2009, 11:29 AM

Not bad also considering it appears to have original "Black Widow" grips on it as well.

joew · 11-23-2009, 01:12 PM

Hi thank you for the replies. The barrel is original. No crown n markings, how do you tell if the grips are original? So is it a VOPO?

Ron Smith · 11-23-2009, 01:18 PM

"So is it a VOPO?"

Joe,

Without a doubt...yes it is. A nice one to have.

Ron

alanint · 11-23-2009, 02:15 PM

Send close up photos of the reverse side of the grips for board members to determine authenticity..

joew · 11-24-2009, 12:32 AM

Grip pics.

11-22-2009, 11:01 PM	#1
joew New User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New guy with a 41 byf marking question. Hello, I'm Joe. I just picked up my first Luger at Tulsa last weekend, it's import marked and mostly matching except for the firing pin and mag. If anyone would care to point out anything about it please do; as I know next to nothing. There is a strange marking just forward of the trigger guard, under the take down lever. Would anyone be familiar with it? It looks like a star burst with maybe a shield, inside. Nice Board and Thank You, Joe Attached Thumbnails

11-23-2009, 10:16 AM	#3
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	The marking in question appear to be post WW2 DDR proof marks, which are usually stamped on the left receiver above the serial #. There appears to be another marking in that area aft of the serial. Clear close-ups of both areas would be helpful. If your barrel has a C/N proof and perhaps a 3 digit date below the C/N, this could be the reason for the E.German reproofing. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

11-23-2009, 11:15 AM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Joe, Welcome to the forum. The mark following the SN is a Russian stamped X. It's a Russian Capture, issued to East German police,(DDR VOPO). The DDR police property stamp isn't commonly found on VOPOs. Not rare, but not common, and would add some desirability to VOPO collectors. Not a bad "first" Luger. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

11-23-2009, 01:18 PM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	"So is it a VOPO?" Joe, Without a doubt...yes it is. A nice one to have. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

11-24-2009, 12:32 AM	#9
joew New User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Grip pics. Attached Thumbnails

11-23-2009, 12:19 AM	#2
Brad Guest Posts: n/a	Could be Russian capture put into E. German service. A VOPO?

11-23-2009, 11:29 AM	#5
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Not bad also considering it appears to have original "Black Widow" grips on it as well.

11-23-2009, 01:12 PM	#6
joew New User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi thank you for the replies. The barrel is original. No crown n markings, how do you tell if the grips are original? So is it a VOPO?

11-23-2009, 02:15 PM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Send close up photos of the reverse side of the grips for board members to determine authenticity..