New (to me) Banner Mauser Luger - Some questions...

[Edward Tinker]

I can answer a few questions, there are Mauser experts here. When I said search, I meant here on the forum, the FAQ, etc.

It is two digit date marked "42" on the receiver: Why did Mauser vary the date coding between 4 digit "1942" and the "42" on my gun? UNKNOWN, IT IS A VARIATION, BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHY FOR CERTAIN.

The pistol has E/135 proof marks and E/Swastika marks in multiple places
YES, THE EAGLE 135 IS THE ACCEPTANCE MARKING BY AN INSPECTOR.


There are no apparent foreign proof marks. Was this most likely a German Military pistol? STARTED AS A COMMERICIAL; AS ITS A BANNER, THEN WAS TAKEN INTO MILITARY SERVICE.

It has a 3 digit plus cursive "g" serial number. Is it possible to estimate a manufacture date from this?
YES, BUT ONLY LOOSELY


Why did Mauser mark Lugers with the different codes "42" "byf" and the banner? Were there any manufacturing or marketing differences? YES, THIS IS ANSWERED IN A COUPLE OF THE SEARCHES I DID ON THIS FORUM, BUT SHORT ANSWER IS;

BYF IS A CODE NAME FOR MAUSER
42 WAS A CODE NAME FOR MAUSER
MAUSER BANNER IS A COMMERICAL MARKING


It also came with an aluminum base FXO extruded magazine with E/37 proof markings. There is no serial number on the magazine base. Is this correct for this manufacturing period? I THINK YES FOR A COMMERICIAL, BUT A MILITARY ACCEPTED WOULD PROBABLY HAVE THE NUMBER STAMPED ON IT.