Mauser 42 code 1940 Grips Question

[guns3545]

Originally Posted by cmp9401

Another new collector question: Does the Waffenamts on the grips have to match the gun's Waffenamts? (Eg. E/655 etc)

Brian.

The short answer is "yes" if there is to be any claim that the gun is correct and/or original.

The presence of the last two digits of the serial number is of course most definitive of originality, especially on early Mauser production when serialization was the norm. Later, things changed as serialization of grips became sporadic. And of course, it is always good to just use your eyes and insure that the grips and the condition of the gun are consistent.

But there is also a long answer because on some occasions there were multiple Waffenampts in use at Mauser at the same time. In which case that answer could be "no" or"maybe".

Wooden grips are thin and fragile and these were war guns not museum or collector pieces. Grips were often broken and replaced with spare grips which like armorer replacement magazines had only a Waffenampt on them. Or if a later replacement, even plastic which have no markings at all.

I would take the short answer.

John