S/42 1938 Commercial??

usmc69 · 05-03-2009, 10:21 AM

I have posted this on other boards, but thought I'd post it here also. My main reason to post this here is I think it may be a commercial model. Being a Newbie to Luger's, am feeling kind of befuddled. Any and all answers are greatfully appreciated.

Picked up an S/42 Luger today. Not sure why..... It has been nickled. All matching parts, the S/N is XX92 and all the parts I can see are marked 92. The chamber is dated 1938. On the right side of the receiver near the chamber is an eagle over an 63. The grips have a 2 digit number on the insides that is either a 75 or a 92 not really sure which it is.

The magazine is marked P.08 on the lower left side to the rear. Also above the gripping recesses is an eagle over 37 below a fxo on the front edge of the lower left side. Up towards the feed lip on the left side is another eagle over a 37. Mag is blued.

The gun is all matching. There is a 92 on all the parts I see, which is the end of the serial number of the gun on the front of the frame below the barrel. Is there a website with pictures to compare it to?

All of the NAZI era guns I have owned are marked with a Eagle over a Swastika. This one is an Eagle over the 63, why? Is this a a commercial gun? The eagle sort of looks like a line drawing (stick figure)over the 63. The Blue Books mentions commercial pieces dated 1938. Guess this is a whole new world for me to explore.

The grips are almost a black color. They appear to be original. What color are they supposed to be?

The nickle I can live with. After all the price was reasonable. Wouldn't mind having it blued as that is more the proper look. However, it would still be a restored piece. Cost? Website for the restorer? Other that a abomination shooter what have I got? Paid $400 for it. Screwed up or not? Wanted a shooter....

Edward Tinker · 05-03-2009, 06:51 PM

S42 is the code for mauser, which is a military marking, in addition, the 1938 was for military also. the eagle 63 is a the army acceptance.

the military (nor commericial banner lugers) were never made in nickle.

I would pick up a nickle luger and figure it is worth $550 or so as a shooter piece.

ed

05-03-2009, 10:21 AM	#1
usmc69 User Join Date: May 2009 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 28 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	S/42 1938 Commercial?? I have posted this on other boards, but thought I'd post it here also. My main reason to post this here is I think it may be a commercial model. Being a Newbie to Luger's, am feeling kind of befuddled. Any and all answers are greatfully appreciated. Picked up an S/42 Luger today. Not sure why..... It has been nickled. All matching parts, the S/N is XX92 and all the parts I can see are marked 92. The chamber is dated 1938. On the right side of the receiver near the chamber is an eagle over an 63. The grips have a 2 digit number on the insides that is either a 75 or a 92 not really sure which it is. The magazine is marked P.08 on the lower left side to the rear. Also above the gripping recesses is an eagle over 37 below a fxo on the front edge of the lower left side. Up towards the feed lip on the left side is another eagle over a 37. Mag is blued. The gun is all matching. There is a 92 on all the parts I see, which is the end of the serial number of the gun on the front of the frame below the barrel. Is there a website with pictures to compare it to? All of the NAZI era guns I have owned are marked with a Eagle over a Swastika. This one is an Eagle over the 63, why? Is this a a commercial gun? The eagle sort of looks like a line drawing (stick figure)over the 63. The Blue Books mentions commercial pieces dated 1938. Guess this is a whole new world for me to explore. The grips are almost a black color. They appear to be original. What color are they supposed to be? The nickle I can live with. After all the price was reasonable. Wouldn't mind having it blued as that is more the proper look. However, it would still be a restored piece. Cost? Website for the restorer? Other that a abomination shooter what have I got? Paid $400 for it. Screwed up or not? Wanted a shooter....

05-03-2009, 06:51 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,941 Thanks: 2,039 Thanked 4,547 Times in 2,100 Posts	S42 is the code for mauser, which is a military marking, in addition, the 1938 was for military also. the eagle 63 is a the army acceptance. the military (nor commericial banner lugers) were never made in nickle. I would pick up a nickle luger and figure it is worth $550 or so as a shooter piece. ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV