BYF 42 vet bring back?

LP08 · 08-17-2002, 10:13 PM

Look very closely at the backs of those grips as there is a good chance there is a faint Eagle/135 inspection stamp AND the last two digits of the pistol serial number--these grips were fitted uniquely to each pistol and you don't want to switch original grips.

The black plastic grips were not issued to special units. In fact, the nickname "black widow" is an American marketing invention I am told originated in the 1960s. To the Germans, these were good manufacturing replacements for wood grips and probably saved money. Shortcuts in mag bottoms and grips as well as metal finishing were pursued to speed and cheapen production.

The very last lugers from regular production (byf42's) were delivered to Portugal as best as anyone can tell--about 4000 of the very last lugers.

Actual use of lugers was usually by front-line personnel (9mm is a combat caliber) for whom rifles were too cumbersome to carry--motorcycle messengers, combat police, machine gunners, anti-tank gunners, group leaders, and paratroopers. Officers carried them but if not in front line duty most officers appear in photos with 7.65 pistols.

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08-17-2002, 10:13 PM	#14
LP08 User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Look very closely at the backs of those grips as there is a good chance there is a faint Eagle/135 inspection stamp AND the last two digits of the pistol serial number--these grips were fitted uniquely to each pistol and you don't want to switch original grips. The black plastic grips were not issued to special units. In fact, the nickname "black widow" is an American marketing invention I am told originated in the 1960s. To the Germans, these were good manufacturing replacements for wood grips and probably saved money. Shortcuts in mag bottoms and grips as well as metal finishing were pursued to speed and cheapen production. The very last lugers from regular production (byf42's) were delivered to Portugal as best as anyone can tell--about 4000 of the very last lugers. Actual use of lugers was usually by front-line personnel (9mm is a combat caliber) for whom rifles were too cumbersome to carry--motorcycle messengers, combat police, machine gunners, anti-tank gunners, group leaders, and paratroopers. Officers carried them but if not in front line duty most officers appear in photos with 7.65 pistols.