I'm new to Lugers but

[guns3545]

Originally Posted by S.B.

Yes. The designation on the toggle link. What's this mean or represent? I've tried to look through several books I've collected over the years but, no explanation in there either. Code, code for what and why? I own a P.38 from WWII and have learned the Germans used codes on them to disguise factories but, I'm new to P.08s and am wondering if this is the same case? While we're at this, how about the letter with the serial number, what does this represent?
Steve

Steve,

You are right on with the above.. The "42" marked on the toggle is the factory code that preceded "byf" which you find on 1941 and 1942 Mauser P.08 production as well as their P.38 production with which you are familiar

Just FYI, the code that preceded 42 was S/42.

That's it.

Mauser made their gun in blocks of 10,000 guns. Each block had "no suffix" or a cursive letter of the alphabet as a suffix to the number..

So the first block had no suffix, the second a, the third b and so forth. When they got to z, they started over again.

BTW, the same system was used for P.38 production.

Hope this helps.



John