Newbie Introduction and 1937 S-42 pics

[Sapper]

tau-delt, Thanks for the link. I'd love to know how these grips (rather rare from what I gather) got matched with this pistol (relatively common?). I'll be sure to take them off and put them somewhere safe until I decide whether or not to trade them.

mrerick, Thanks for clearing up the sideplate issue. If I read your post correctly, I guess that means that I'm back to having a sorta matching pistol (minus the grips and magazine of course). Certain parts of the pistol definitely look white while the barrel retains quite a bit of blue. I think your scenario fits the situation quite well. I think my uncle tried to clean the rust off certain parts and ended up stripping the finishing. Now that he knows what these pistols can be worth, he's too embarrassed to admit his mistake. Ha!

Regards,

Sapper

[tau-delt]

Sapper..... I agree about it being the correct sideplate.

I took another look at your great pictues and believe I see an Eagle over 6 stamp on your hold open. IMO this is a replacement part originally made by Simson and again could have been a replacement during the war. Simson stamped parts show up on 1939 Mauser Banner guns and many believe that left over parts from Simson went to Mauser.

The original hold open would have had the last 2 digits stamped like the rest of the parts.

If it were mine, I would leave it just like it is.....