Narrowing it down...(the first purchase, that is...)

[Bart]

Hugh, what you are saying is that if I see a 1939 Chamber dated Luger with a "42" on the toggle, no byf mark, with plastic (bakelite) grips, it isn't a "true" Black Widow?

Also, being a newbie/rookie/wet-behind-the-ears Lugerhead, why were these particular Lugars issued with black plastic grips in the first place? Is there any books dealing with Black Widows I can check out? Many people have told me that it was a marketing ploy for an arms dealer to call it a Black Widow, but there must have been some reason these were made with the black plastic grips in the first place, right? I am curious to know what the reason(s) were.

Thanks,

Bart