Brown bakelite grips on 1941 byf?

[Lugerdoc]

Eugene, I question the opinion that Mauser installed the brown plastic grips as originals at the factory. Rather, I feel that they are probably wartime replacements. I've even seen these on GI captured (in WW2) WW1 dated P08s. TH

[George Anderson]

Originally Posted by Lugerdoc

Eugene, I question the opinion that Mauser installed the brown plastic grips as originals at the factory. Rather, I feel that they are probably wartime replacements. I've even seen these on GI captured (in WW2) WW1 dated P08s. TH

According to Jan Still in "Third Reich Lugers" Mauser was authorized to start using bakelite grips in place of wood grips in 1939 as the supply of scrap wood from rifle manufacture began to dry up. This is the same time frame when laminated rifle stocks appear.

[Rick W.]

Left grip (moulded laminated paper plastics) blueprint no. 1 MD 06-61 drafted on 29 June 1939, drawing checked/approved 1 December 1939

Right grip (moulded laminated paper plastics) blueprint no. 1 MD 06-62 drafted on 27 June 1939, drawing checked/approved 1 December 1939