Luger Pin Numbering

steven c · 10-09-2010, 02:28 PM

I am still a novice with regard to Lugers. This is a very expansive area with multiple changes over the years. My question is to some of you long-term collectors who have had many examples to examine.

These are two firing pins, one from a 1938 S/42 and the other is from a 1939 S/42. The '39 is numbered to the gun. The '38 is not stamped with a number, but appears to be an electric pencil style engraving of a number that looks like 48. Is this an older style type pin that was replaced, or was it just an armorer replacement?

My '39 matches everything down but the clip. The '38 has the same number on the side cover as the rest of the gun, but wasn't fitted to it originally (from another gun?).

On the attached pic, the leftmost pin is the one that's in question. For a '38 and a '39 to be so different, please fill me in. I look forward to acquiring my next Luger. And you guys are right, these are addicting - I've loved them since I was a kid.

wlyon · 10-09-2010, 02:36 PM

Hard to tell when the firing pin was replaced. However the one with electric pencil marking was not done by the Germans. Probably some past owner keeping track of pins. Bill

Vlim · 10-09-2010, 02:41 PM

Electro-pencil engraved serial numbers are often encountered on DDR VoPo guns where the original firing pin has been replaced.

steven c · 10-09-2010, 11:07 PM

Thank you Bill and Vlim. I've never posted my '38, it was a bit of a shooter when I found it. The price was right. Maybe in the future I'll post some pictures of it. But when I saw it at the time all matched for numbers I think it's a bit off though. I've enjoyed it nonetheless. Everybody's got to start somewhere with a Luger.

I can honestly respect the guys who collect the unit marked imperial Lugers. I'm just as bad, I collect the dress bayonets the same way.

Later, I'll post some pics of the '38. It may be of interest, but it has discrepancies. I know you guys like Luger porn, sorry I didn't take pics of the whole gun.

Vlim - I see your point, that's possible. What's odd is that I don't see a import mark on the gun. That's what is confusing to me. I thought it was an earlier pin, like the side plate.

Regards,
Steve

Lugerdoc · 10-13-2010, 11:25 AM

Steve, It's possible that an earier non-relieved DWM unnumbered FP could have been installed in your 1938 Mauser by a field armourer, but I agree with the above, that the etched number is probably of DDR origin. TH

steven c · 10-16-2010, 03:07 PM

Tom,
Thanks. Could you explain the unrelieved pin type .

Maybe in a week or two I'll post that pistol. It has a few discrepancies but I wouldn't mind getting a few opinions on it. It appears to have the original finish on it, although it isn't in the best of shape. I'll get into more detail if I post it.

Regards,
Steve

10-09-2010, 02:28 PM	#1
steven c User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Luger Pin Numbering I am still a novice with regard to Lugers. This is a very expansive area with multiple changes over the years. My question is to some of you long-term collectors who have had many examples to examine. These are two firing pins, one from a 1938 S/42 and the other is from a 1939 S/42. The '39 is numbered to the gun. The '38 is not stamped with a number, but appears to be an electric pencil style engraving of a number that looks like 48. Is this an older style type pin that was replaced, or was it just an armorer replacement? My '39 matches everything down but the clip. The '38 has the same number on the side cover as the rest of the gun, but wasn't fitted to it originally (from another gun?). On the attached pic, the leftmost pin is the one that's in question. For a '38 and a '39 to be so different, please fill me in. I look forward to acquiring my next Luger. And you guys are right, these are addicting - I've loved them since I was a kid. Attached Thumbnails

10-09-2010, 02:36 PM	#2
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,633 Thanks: 3,173 Thanked 2,555 Times in 954 Posts	Hard to tell when the firing pin was replaced. However the one with electric pencil marking was not done by the Germans. Probably some past owner keeping track of pins. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

10-13-2010, 11:25 AM	#5
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Steve, It's possible that an earier non-relieved DWM unnumbered FP could have been installed in your 1938 Mauser by a field armourer, but I agree with the above, that the etched number is probably of DDR origin. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

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10-09-2010, 02:41 PM	#3
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Electro-pencil engraved serial numbers are often encountered on DDR VoPo guns where the original firing pin has been replaced.

10-09-2010, 11:07 PM	#4
steven c User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Thank you Bill and Vlim. I've never posted my '38, it was a bit of a shooter when I found it. The price was right. Maybe in the future I'll post some pictures of it. But when I saw it at the time all matched for numbers I think it's a bit off though. I've enjoyed it nonetheless. Everybody's got to start somewhere with a Luger. I can honestly respect the guys who collect the unit marked imperial Lugers. I'm just as bad, I collect the dress bayonets the same way. Later, I'll post some pics of the '38. It may be of interest, but it has discrepancies. I know you guys like Luger porn, sorry I didn't take pics of the whole gun. Vlim - I see your point, that's possible. What's odd is that I don't see a import mark on the gun. That's what is confusing to me. I thought it was an earlier pin, like the side plate. Regards, Steve

10-16-2010, 03:07 PM	#6
steven c User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Tom, Thanks. Could you explain the unrelieved pin type . Maybe in a week or two I'll post that pistol. It has a few discrepancies but I wouldn't mind getting a few opinions on it. It appears to have the original finish on it, although it isn't in the best of shape. I'll get into more detail if I post it. Regards, Steve