Plum color

jamese · 03-07-2003, 06:44 AM

Just some thoughts and ideas

I saw at a gun the other day in a local gun shop, it was a 1939 42 code...8788 u, all matching numbers including the firing pin, but the receiver had that brown plum color and the rest of the gun was the normal darker bluing color.

Large Stick E/63 and the late military acceptance mark on receiver,
small Stick E/63 and late military acceptance mark on barrel

I checked the barrel alignment mark and the ser# and it all looks right ,except for the stark contrast, between the receiver and the rest of the gun.

I've seen that brown plum color on other guns and on some small parts of
guns, but never quite like this before where just the receiver was plum.

Have any of you guys seen this before and what do you think ?

I'll try and get some photos if there is any interest

Thor · 03-07-2003, 10:06 AM

jamese, yes, it is found occasionally, comes from the harder parts not taking the salt bluing correctly due to hardness, time of immersion in the salts bath, temperature of the salt bath, etc. Here is a picture of a Luger I used to own. It was not only plum on the receiver but other parts as well. Mine was a 1938 S/42 next to a 1939 Mauser you can see the color difference. I find these an interesting historical "mistake" by the bluer. It is very common to see EJECTORS and EXTRACTORS of Mauser Luger made after 1937 this color.

CLICK HERE for larger image

Lugerdoc · 03-07-2003, 10:08 AM

Jamese, It's not uncommon to see some of the harder parts (receiver, extractor and ejector) of later Mauser production salt blued PO8s come out with a Plum colored tint, due to poor tempeture control of the salt bath. Tom H.

Vonflak · 03-07-2003, 10:49 AM

I have a byf 42 that has the same pattern, kinda fond of the plum myself.

jamese · 03-08-2003, 05:08 AM

Thanks for the info,
the gun is priced right and I think it would like a new home in my safe

Lyn Islaub · 03-17-2003, 08:30 PM

Jamese,
Isn't life interesting. I have 4606u, Code 42, dated 1939 with a plum colored receiver. Guess the same guy was running the blueing process or running the heat treat ovens as yours. Mine is about 98% blue with a matching mag (#1) that I picked up at a Phoenix gun show 2 years ago for about what you'd pay for a 1920 commercial today.
I like the plum color a lot too and this piece is one of my keepers.
Lyn

03-07-2003, 10:06 AM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 971 Times in 277 Posts	jamese, yes, it is found occasionally, comes from the harder parts not taking the salt bluing correctly due to hardness, time of immersion in the salts bath, temperature of the salt bath, etc. Here is a picture of a Luger I used to own. It was not only plum on the receiver but other parts as well. Mine was a 1938 S/42 next to a 1939 Mauser you can see the color difference. I find these an interesting historical "mistake" by the bluer. It is very common to see EJECTORS and EXTRACTORS of Mauser Luger made after 1937 this color. CLICK HERE for larger image __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

03-07-2003, 10:08 AM	#3
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Jamese, It's not uncommon to see some of the harder parts (receiver, extractor and ejector) of later Mauser production salt blued PO8s come out with a Plum colored tint, due to poor tempeture control of the salt bath. Tom H. __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

03-08-2003, 05:08 AM	#5
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts	Thanks for the info, the gun is priced right and I think it would like a new home in my safe __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

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03-07-2003, 06:44 AM	#1
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts	Plum color Just some thoughts and ideas I saw at a gun the other day in a local gun shop, it was a 1939 42 code...8788 u, all matching numbers including the firing pin, but the receiver had that brown plum color and the rest of the gun was the normal darker bluing color. Large Stick E/63 and the late military acceptance mark on receiver, small Stick E/63 and late military acceptance mark on barrel I checked the barrel alignment mark and the ser# and it all looks right ,except for the stark contrast, between the receiver and the rest of the gun. I've seen that brown plum color on other guns and on some small parts of guns, but never quite like this before where just the receiver was plum. Have any of you guys seen this before and what do you think ? I'll try and get some photos if there is any interest __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

03-07-2003, 10:49 AM	#4
Vonflak User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: "Stonewall" Jackson Michigan Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a byf 42 that has the same pattern, kinda fond of the plum myself.

03-17-2003, 08:30 PM	#6
Lyn Islaub Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 435 Thanks: 3 Thanked 152 Times in 72 Posts	Jamese, Isn't life interesting. I have 4606u, Code 42, dated 1939 with a plum colored receiver. Guess the same guy was running the blueing process or running the heat treat ovens as yours. Mine is about 98% blue with a matching mag (#1) that I picked up at a Phoenix gun show 2 years ago for about what you'd pay for a 1920 commercial today. I like the plum color a lot too and this piece is one of my keepers. Lyn