New to the group.

Hello, all.

I just found this site last night. Very nice place.


To the point...

I purchased a Mauser Luger this weekend. I have never studied them (which may have been a mistake), but I feel a paid a fair price for the one I bought. It is numbers matching, and the bluing is in really good shape, save the muzzle and some areas on the side because of possible holster wearing.

I do have a question. On the right side of the frame, there are visible markings (number 46 I believe on the 'Proofs' page). Below the two eagles on the left, there is a number; 655. It does not appear anywhere else on the weapon. It is a byf 41 Luger, with the serial number of 89xx. There is no alpha character following the serial, but the last two digits appear all over the rest of the weapon. I have disassembled it, and it is in super shape. I did not pay that much for it (around $500) so I feel I have a great collector. I guess I am just looking for some reinforcement on that issue.


I just started collecting weapons from the WWII era. So far, I have this Luger, and the venerable M1 Garand. I love them both, and I am looking forward to obtaining more.


Any help is appreciated.


Thanks in advance....

Schu

[John Sabato]

Is generally found on the frame as the lowercase "i" shown in the photo illustration. This location may vary slightly for each Luger encountered. As a rule of thumb, it generally appears only in this location and not anywhere else.


So revisit the front of the frame and please tell us what you find...


-john




http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/suffixlocation.jpg

Thanks for your reply, John.

I have a very fancy looking 'y' in that spot. So I am guessing that the serial number would be 8960y?


Under the two eagles on the right side of the frame appears the number 655. I am also trying to determine what that represents. Any ideas? Do you know where I can go to determine that? I plan on making a trip to the library today to see what I can find (if I can get there before they close).


Thanks again.

[Bart]

HI Chuck...

I may be able to save you a trip to the library, at least for the moment anyhow. If you check the "Technical Information" area to the left of the screen, you will see all the markings you have found on your Luger. Take a moment to look at these and the other Technical and General information, and you will find a treasure of information, thanks to the good folks here and "Dok" the webmaster.

Have fun...

Bart

[Lonnie Zimmerman]

Schu; welcome. 655 is a Mauser ID mark. I believe y marked Mausers have a little more prep work than the others because they were used for Police and commercial models. Just my opinion. You got a hell of a deal for $500!!


Lonnie

Thanks to all of you for the comments.


I really like this pistol. It feels wonderful in the hand, like it belongs there.


I am looking forward to watching this forum, and hopefully being able to contribute one day soon.


Thanks again for all of your help!


Regards,

Chuck

I suggest that you try to find Third Reich Lugers by Jan Still. If your library does not have it---thay can sometimes get it from another library. Welcome to the Luger habit.