Need ID help

[B40]

Originally Posted by B40

Ran across a Luger being sold as a "Black Widow". No picture, unfortunately, but all parts are blue-black, grips are checkered walnut marked "655" inside and are slightly oversized on the front, chamber marked "41", toggle "42", barleycorn front sight. Can anyone help me determine what this all says?

Thanks, Gents. What flummoxed me was the wood grips and the "Black Widow" description, which I thought meant black plastic grips.

Also the "655" inspector mark on the inside of the slightly oversized grips - did inspectors typically mark grips and does this number resonate with anyone? I did see from "The Luger Story" that John Walter thought that only 7000 of the 41/42 were produced. The gun is purportedly in very good condition, fully matched including magazine, and has SN 6XXo.

I suppose that the gun could have been called Black Widow by mistake, and is in reality a 41/42.......or it could be some kind of mismatch. I'll get to see it next week. Is there anything particular I should be looking for?