Help Information for 42 1939 Mauser Luger

[Chet]

I recently acquired a Luger which I need some help with, I have been put in charge of selling this for a friend whoâ??s husband has recently passed away, the history on the gun is very limited, she knows it has been in his possession for about the past 30 years or so, they were married for 26 years, other than that I donâ??t know where or whom he acquired it from. I will be the first to admit I know very little about German Lugers, and I must say I have learned quite a bit from your site so far. Please review the photoâ??s and provide me with as much information as possible. What I have determined so far is 1939 Mauser Luger Toggle marking 42 â?? Serial Number 7698 â?? All the external parts have the same matching last two digits of the serial number 98 â?? The numbers 8.81 are marked under the serial number on the underside of the barrel â?? I believe these to be the Military Proof Marks on the Right Hand side of the weapon right before the barrel on the Frame? â?? Two Eagle Looking Proofs with the 63 under them, another Eagle Looking Proof, canâ??t quite make out whats under that one. I have removed the grips and the only thing I found on the grip was the letter Q on the left hand grip. The description of the magazines are as follows â?? Magazine Number #1 - Aluminum butt plate bottom markings 571 / 633 / 2 Eagle â?? Haenel Schmeisser Pat. On the side of magazine / Magazine Number #2 - Aluminum butt plate bottom markings 6313 what looks like a cursive U â?? fXO Eagle number 37 Bottom Left â?? PO8 in the corner Bottom Right - Eagle number 37 Top of Magazine. Holster is stamped on the back Top Right Corner large block letters PO8 â?? Top Left Corner E.G LEUNERG mbh (Eagle with what looks like its sitting on a swastika) â?? BATZEN (I think the spelling on this is correct, its not extremely legible and I have be a letter or two off. â?? I have been told by a local gunsmith that the gun has been re-blued at some point in time, to me it looks good, letters and markings are crisp and not washed out, wear is typically for high points and tip of barrel, backstrap and forestrap show signs of discoloration as they should, so I am having doubts about the re-bluing question â?? I know without having the gun in hand it would be near impossible for anyone to tell me whether or not it has been re-blued, but can anyone offer an opinion based on the pictures that is obvious to a more trained eye. I am also curious about the 8.81 stamp on the underside of the barrel, Also should the grips be numbers 98 on the inside, was this standard as they left the factory, or perhaps are these a later replacement? Commercial or Military? Any information on the holster and the maker, I know the magazines are not original to the gun but doe they add or detract from the value, and last but not least a conservative ball park value, I know this is very touchy, but I am just trying to get an idea. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. Sincerely Chet.

















(Photo layout edited by John Sabato for easier viewing 08-22-2002)