Luger Serial Number, etc.

jim haycraft · 11-30-2001, 05:31 PM

I have a Mauser (code 42) Luger, manufactured in 1940. I acquired it in the late 1940s from a neighbor in Philadelphia, who brought it back from Europe (Austria) after the end of WWII. The pistol was in generally good or better condition, with some blueing wear; the bore showed some evidence of slight pitting. It was fitted with the original wooden hand grips and the typical leather Luger holster, with loading tool and a spare magazine. All of the major parts are stamped with the identical number (5) and I assume it was not manufactured from various spare parts. On the right side of the receiver, there are 3 stamped markings; what appear to be 3 parallel bars, with the number "655" beneath, an identical marking forward of that marking, and an eagle & swastika. A smaller version of the eagle and swastika is stamped on the right side of the barrel. On the forward end of the main frame, beneath the number "5," is a lower case script "a."

Despite occasional, but continuing examination over the years, I cannot find what I would consider a proper serial number on this weapon! One of the magazines included with the pistol, has the 3-bar symbol and the number "655" stamped into the aluminum floorplate or base, along with the number "1291" and the lower case script "a." The other magazine has the 3-bar symbol, with the number "37," along with the number "8611" and the lower case script "a." Although the magazines are basically identical and function properly, the second magazine described has some different contstruction features, namely evidence of considerable machining (the other mag appears to be mostly stampings), and the aluminum floorplate is pinned through the center.

I foolishly had the pistol re-blued many years ago and replaced the wooden grips with plastic "Franzite" grips, which rather spoils its collector value. It has not been fired very often through the years; perhaps several hundred rounds, including some original cartridges from WWI! Can anyone explain what apparently is the omission of a serial number or any other pertinent information about this particular pistol, which I cherish as the first handgun I ever owned? Any help will be much appreciated.

11-30-2001, 05:31 PM	#1
jim haycraft User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger Serial Number, etc. I have a Mauser (code 42) Luger, manufactured in 1940. I acquired it in the late 1940s from a neighbor in Philadelphia, who brought it back from Europe (Austria) after the end of WWII. The pistol was in generally good or better condition, with some blueing wear; the bore showed some evidence of slight pitting. It was fitted with the original wooden hand grips and the typical leather Luger holster, with loading tool and a spare magazine. All of the major parts are stamped with the identical number (5) and I assume it was not manufactured from various spare parts. On the right side of the receiver, there are 3 stamped markings; what appear to be 3 parallel bars, with the number "655" beneath, an identical marking forward of that marking, and an eagle & swastika. A smaller version of the eagle and swastika is stamped on the right side of the barrel. On the forward end of the main frame, beneath the number "5," is a lower case script "a." Despite occasional, but continuing examination over the years, I cannot find what I would consider a proper serial number on this weapon! One of the magazines included with the pistol, has the 3-bar symbol and the number "655" stamped into the aluminum floorplate or base, along with the number "1291" and the lower case script "a." The other magazine has the 3-bar symbol, with the number "37," along with the number "8611" and the lower case script "a." Although the magazines are basically identical and function properly, the second magazine described has some different contstruction features, namely evidence of considerable machining (the other mag appears to be mostly stampings), and the aluminum floorplate is pinned through the center. I foolishly had the pistol re-blued many years ago and replaced the wooden grips with plastic "Franzite" grips, which rather spoils its collector value. It has not been fired very often through the years; perhaps several hundred rounds, including some original cartridges from WWI! Can anyone explain what apparently is the omission of a serial number or any other pertinent information about this particular pistol, which I cherish as the first handgun I ever owned? Any help will be much appreciated.