I might be able to undo this if I overpaid, if I act soon

[tudorbug]

Archer, for comparison, I have been offered a byf 42 in seemingly (I'm not an expert) new condition with a single black plastic bottomed fxo magazine and no holster or loading tool. I can't believe that a WWII era pistol could look so nice, particularly when the bore shows some signs of wear (and I am not an expert in bores of gun barrels either).

Asking price was $1750. Whew!

On the right side of the receiver, that mark under the right most eagle is the Nazi swastika inside a circle. The marks under the eagles on the barrel should also be swastika's, if my aged memory is not failing me.

Inside the grips, I am told, there will not be numbers matching the last two digits of your pistol serial number.

In this year of manufacture, I also am under the impression that there will not be a barrel gauge number stamped, right in front of the receiver on the underside of the barrel. Earlier pistols have this and one might read 8.83, 8.84, 8.82 or etc.

The holster number that you noted is probably the year of its manufacture, 1939, which does not agree with the year of manufacture of the pistol. Nevertheless, if there is a chance that the holster came back with this pistol from World War II, I would be included to keep the two togther with the two mismatched magazines.

Holsters in top condition will bring $250 to $350 on eBay. I recently bought a very nice one dated 1936 for $305 on eBay. There is a gentleman on this forum who does superior holster repair who might be able to repair the torn strap on yours.

If you want to match the pistol up with correct magazines, then correct fxo black plastic bottomed magazine are on parade on eBay. Look very carefully for one that also has the 135 stamp on its side, which matches the WaA stamps on your right side of the receiver of you pistol.

Some of the cost of replacing magazines can be recouped by selling the two that came with your pistol which are correct for one made earlier.

As Bob noted, there is a mark that could be a retouch of the metal just to the left and below the level on the "PO8" stamp on the left side above the grip. It could also be a finger print that has been rubbed. Or, it could also be a ........yada, yada, yada, ....... and there is no end of comments to make on some one else's pistol, I find.

Finally, Ed's helpful links to the Simpson site will show pictures of lugers, less detailed than yours, that are expensive. Nevertheless, these pistols are listed by a major dealer in these weapons, a firm that makes a living selling them so they ought to be considered as an authority in their value. When I view that site, I find myself thinking, "Gosh, I hope I don't have to pay that much." :-)) In the end, I probably will.

This looks like a really nice pistol and I would be happy to own it myself. I offer my congratulations on your purchase, if you keep it. I wish I could find one that suits my needs as well.

Others may find errors in my information and their corrections and amendments to my thoughts would be most welcome.

David