byfs worth more?

RockinWR · 05-23-2007, 10:57 PM

Hi Matt,
* Not that I believe or offer a premium for each item below, let me add a few other points beyond the grip considerations offered above:
- Other than the few '41-42 code Lugers assembled, which command a premium onto themselves, the byf's are the only Luger to display a "P.08" on the frame.
- Based on Gibson and some antecdotal reports, the metal composition, metal formation, heat treatment and finishing processes had evolved to a high art by the end of Luger production. A "bright salt blue" byf P.08 displays a wonderful, rich, Mauser unique, military finish which can be a joy to behold.
- The byf's were made later than the S/42 & 42 codes; hence, they had less time to be used/abused in the War and succeeding years.
- These were the last "hand fitted" Army accepted 9mmP design. The P.38's contained more sheet metal parts, were assembled using more mass production methods, more stringent interchangeability requirements(looser tolerances), more distributed detail part manufacturing, and under more war time duress (quantity, bombing, stategic metals availability, shortages, etc).
- Other than the '40-42 code & '41-42 code Lugers, the byf's were issued with the best P.08 magazines (122/fxo coded mags) ever produced.

* I'm sure Frank can think of a few more I've missed; but, I think the grips are only one factor in the "byf" mystique. Besides, what other manufacturing code can you have both a P.08 & P.38 made in the same year for the German Army??

05-23-2007, 10:57 PM	#5
RockinWR User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: D/FW, Tx Posts: 279 Thanks: 109 Thanked 31 Times in 16 Posts	Hi Matt, * Not that I believe or offer a premium for each item below, let me add a few other points beyond the grip considerations offered above: - Other than the few '41-42 code Lugers assembled, which command a premium onto themselves, the byf's are the only Luger to display a "P.08" on the frame. - Based on Gibson and some antecdotal reports, the metal composition, metal formation, heat treatment and finishing processes had evolved to a high art by the end of Luger production. A "bright salt blue" byf P.08 displays a wonderful, rich, Mauser unique, military finish which can be a joy to behold. - The byf's were made later than the S/42 & 42 codes; hence, they had less time to be used/abused in the War and succeeding years. - These were the last "hand fitted" Army accepted 9mmP design. The P.38's contained more sheet metal parts, were assembled using more mass production methods, more stringent interchangeability requirements(looser tolerances), more distributed detail part manufacturing, and under more war time duress (quantity, bombing, stategic metals availability, shortages, etc). - Other than the '40-42 code & '41-42 code Lugers, the byf's were issued with the best P.08 magazines (122/fxo coded mags) ever produced. * I'm sure Frank can think of a few more I've missed; but, I think the grips are only one factor in the "byf" mystique. Besides, what other manufacturing code can you have both a P.08 & P.38 made in the same year for the German Army??