Newbie Introduction and 1937 S-42 pics

[Sapper]

mrerick,

Thanks for replying so quickly. I believe there is very little original finish left on this pistol. I'm more interested in making this a family heirloom than ever selling it, so would I be "ruining" this pistol by having it refinished? And thanks for the tip about the ammo. I'm pretty sure I've never fired high-powered loads though it, but I'll look for low-power rounds from now on.

Anyone have any thoughts about the grips? My luck has never been that good, so I expect they are reproductions. And are there any parts that should be marked that I didn't get pictures of? The broken Bolt Hold-Open Spring was not numbered so replacing it shouldn't detract from the pistol should it? Thanks.

Regards,

Sapper

[suum cuique]

Originally Posted by Sapper

mrerick,

Thanks for replying so quickly. I believe there is very little original finish left on this pistol. I'm more interested in making this a family heirloom than ever selling it, so would I be "ruining" this pistol by having it refinished? And thanks for the tip about the ammo. I'm pretty sure I've never fired high-powered loads though it, but I'll look for low-power rounds from now on.

Anyone have any thoughts about the grips? My luck has never been that good, so I expect they are reproductions. And are there any parts that should be marked that I didn't get pictures of? The broken Bolt Hold-Open Spring was not numbered so replacing it shouldn't detract from the pistol should it? Thanks.

Regards,

Sapper

Hi sapper, welcome to the forum.
I own a 1937 S/42, too.
The black grips do not belong to your gun. The black bakelite grips were used on the so called "black widdow"-Lugers 1941, 1942 byf models.
I have no idea if they are originals or reproduction parts. More experienced members will tell you that.
I guess the 1937 S/ 42 Lugers whithin the r # block should still have strawed parts. Your small parts look like they were blued.
http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=3206