Friends new Luger (Possible 1938 Mauser)

Elliot308 · 09-28-2012, 04:20 AM

Hello, I'm big into Kalashnikovs and not so knowledgeable when it comes to Lugers.

A colleague of mine just came into one and knowing that I'm into firearms asked me about it. Unfortunately I don't know the first thing about them but I told him I would look into it.

I asked on some other forums that I frequent and was referred here.

I had him take some photographs and post them on photobucket so I could pass them around and see what I could learn.

Someone on another forum said it was a Mauser and was made in 38. Is this accurate information? Is there anything else you can tell from the pics in this album?

link

I would appreciate any and all insight.

pitsword · 09-28-2012, 07:10 AM

Looks to be an all matching 1938 Mauser in super nice condition. Try to post your pics here. BTW, nice work with the photos. How about some pics of the magazine? Welcome to the forum.

SteveM · 09-28-2012, 07:15 AM

It is a Mauser S/42 code 1938 and appears to be all matching numbers and in excellent condition. If your friend is interested in selling it send me a PM.

Steve

DavidJayUden · 09-28-2012, 10:02 AM

Is there an issue on the inside number on the side plate?
A very nice gun.
dju

mrerick · 09-28-2012, 10:03 AM

It's hard to determine from your pictures, but is the extractor numbered "00" or "01".

Is the Luger s/n 1600m ? If so, your trigger plate is a mis-match. The digits "17" should be inside the trigger plate. It looks like they are "33". That would only go with a pistol numbered "3200" with some suffix.

So... unfortunately that mis-match makes the entire pistol a "shooter" grade pistol. It also make you really need to look closely at everything else. Only someone trying to make this look like a matching pistol would have done this.

Marc

Elliot308 · 09-28-2012, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitsword

Looks to be an all matching 1938 Mauser in super nice condition. Try to post your pics here. BTW, nice work with the photos. How about some pics of the magazine? Welcome to the forum.

Pics posted. They way he shared the PB with me I couldn't select all. I had to copy them one at a time, that's why I just posted the link originally.

In his email he mentioned that the magazines and leather holster do not match. There fore no pics were sent to me.

Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveM

It is a Mauser S/42 code 1938 and appears to be all matching numbers and in excellent condition. If your friend is interested in selling it send me a PM.

Steve

I don't know what his intentions with it are. But I will pass it along that you are interested. What do you think it is worth? That is one of the Q's he asked me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

Is there an issue on the inside number on the side plate?
A very nice gun.
dju

My novice apologies, what is the side plate? Can you specify the image number so I can look or have another photo taken?

Elliot308 · 09-28-2012, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

It's hard to determine from your pictures, but is the extractor numbered "00" or "01".

Is the Luger s/n 1600m ? If so, your trigger plate is a mis-match. The digits "17" should be inside the trigger plate. It looks like they are "33". That would only go with a pistol numbered "3200" with some suffix.

So... unfortunately that mis-match makes the entire pistol a "shooter" grade pistol. It also make you really need to look closely at everything else. Only someone trying to make this look like a matching pistol would have done this.

Marc

I can't quite tell from the pics either. I see what you are looking at. I will request that he takes a clear pic of that for me and add it in.

I see the 1600 but not the 1600m, can you specify by image number? I see a piece with 33 on it so I assume I'm looking at what you are but I don't know much about these so I can't say.

If that is true that would be sad indeed. I don't know what he paid for it.

SteveM · 09-28-2012, 03:32 PM

Try to find out what the number is inside:

If it isn't correct, collector value has been reduced significantly.

[QUOTE=Elliot308;220597]

lugerholsterrepair · 09-28-2012, 04:53 PM

The number inside the sideplate is VERY clear in one of the above images and it is without doubt 33.

rhuff · 09-28-2012, 05:31 PM

I agree with those above that both the extractor and the side plate are incorrect for this Luger. Also, the "famous chip' is evident on the numbered grips....which could be repaired. What do you folks feel about the bluing?

Elliot308 · 09-28-2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhuff

I agree with those above that both the extractor and the side plate are incorrect for this Luger. Also, the "famous chip' is evident on the numbered grips....which could be repaired. What do you folks feel about the bluing?

Can you point out this famous chip? I'm assuming by the phrase that this is common?

I searched the forum and see that the grip by the safety looks a little nipped.

DavidJayUden · 09-28-2012, 07:26 PM

The chip is just behind the safety lever, the result of impatience in removing the grip panel. Not at all uncommon, but it does hurt the value somewhat.
I'm starting to get a bit nervous on this one. The fact that someone has bothered to either locate or fabricate a sideplate that would pass at first blush makes me wonder what other skullduggery we should look for.
But regardless, the Luger would bring top dollar in the shooter category.
dju

mrerick · 09-29-2012, 11:58 AM

The Luger's full serial number is visible on the front of the frame, above the trigger guard. The "m" (out of focus, so difficult to read) is below the 1600 on this photo:

Again, if this was offered to you as an all matching pistol, the presence of a mis-match plate with the correct outer numbers and incorrect inner numbers should raise your suspicions about other issues like finish originality.

It looks to be in great condition. Probably valued at the higher end of a mis-matched shooter Luger. Perhaps valued at $900-1100.

Marc

tomaustin · 09-29-2012, 12:13 PM

the 33 in on the reverse side.........which would indicate this is not a serious effort to deceive, but an effort to impress his friends with an "all-matching pistol".........lugerdoc, how often do you get asked for a blank sideplate ??

DavidJayUden · 09-29-2012, 01:25 PM

"the 33 in on the reverse side.........which would indicate this is not a serious effort to deceive, but an effort to impress his friends with an "all-matching pistol"

At the least it shows an effort to impress ones friends. But it is more likely an effort to make money dishonestly. I guess it all depends on how it was marketed/disclosed to the prospective buyers. And there are a lot of sellers out there, nefarious and otherwise, who are not aware of the inside number issue.
Again I state that is a very nice shooter. But nothing more.
dju

lugerholsterrepair · 09-30-2012, 10:29 AM

The chip is just behind the safety lever, the result of impatience in removing the grip panel.

David I agree that's ONE of the ways..shooting is another. I took a pistol shooting with the grip completely intact and the grip fractured at the safety and fell out right on the firing line.

09-28-2012, 04:20 AM	#1
Elliot308 New User Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Friends new Luger (Possible 1938 Mauser) Hello, I'm big into Kalashnikovs and not so knowledgeable when it comes to Lugers. A colleague of mine just came into one and knowing that I'm into firearms asked me about it. Unfortunately I don't know the first thing about them but I told him I would look into it. I asked on some other forums that I frequent and was referred here. I had him take some photographs and post them on photobucket so I could pass them around and see what I could learn. Someone on another forum said it was a Mauser and was made in 38. Is this accurate information? Is there anything else you can tell from the pics in this album? link I would appreciate any and all insight. Last edited by Elliot308; 09-28-2012 at 03:31 PM. Reason: adding detail to title and adding pics

09-28-2012, 10:03 AM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	It's hard to determine from your pictures, but is the extractor numbered "00" or "01". Is the Luger s/n 1600m ? If so, your trigger plate is a mis-match. The digits "17" should be inside the trigger plate. It looks like they are "33". That would only go with a pistol numbered "3200" with some suffix. So... unfortunately that mis-match makes the entire pistol a "shooter" grade pistol. It also make you really need to look closely at everything else. Only someone trying to make this look like a matching pistol would have done this. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-28-2012, 04:53 PM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,766 Thanks: 4,883 Thanked 3,121 Times in 1,432 Posts	The number inside the sideplate is VERY clear in one of the above images and it is without doubt 33. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

09-29-2012, 11:58 AM	#13
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	The Luger's full serial number is visible on the front of the frame, above the trigger guard. The "m" (out of focus, so difficult to read) is below the 1600 on this photo: Again, if this was offered to you as an all matching pistol, the presence of a mis-match plate with the correct outer numbers and incorrect inner numbers should raise your suspicions about other issues like finish originality. It looks to be in great condition. Probably valued at the higher end of a mis-matched shooter Luger. Perhaps valued at $900-1100. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-29-2012, 12:13 PM	#14
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	surely someone trying to doctor a sideplate would see the 33 in on the reverse side.........which would indicate this is not a serious effort to deceive, but an effort to impress his friends with an "all-matching pistol".........lugerdoc, how often do you get asked for a blank sideplate ??

09-28-2012, 07:10 AM	#2
pitsword User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 459 Thanks: 3,952 Thanked 103 Times in 83 Posts	Looks to be an all matching 1938 Mauser in super nice condition. Try to post your pics here. BTW, nice work with the photos. How about some pics of the magazine? Welcome to the forum.

09-28-2012, 07:15 AM	#3
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	It is a Mauser S/42 code 1938 and appears to be all matching numbers and in excellent condition. If your friend is interested in selling it send me a PM. Steve

09-28-2012, 10:02 AM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Is there an issue on the inside number on the side plate? A very nice gun. dju

09-28-2012, 03:32 PM	#8
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	Try to find out what the number is inside: If it isn't correct, collector value has been reduced significantly. [QUOTE=Elliot308;220597]

09-28-2012, 05:31 PM	#10
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	I agree with those above that both the extractor and the side plate are incorrect for this Luger. Also, the "famous chip' is evident on the numbered grips....which could be repaired. What do you folks feel about the bluing?

09-28-2012, 07:26 PM	#12
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	The chip is just behind the safety lever, the result of impatience in removing the grip panel. Not at all uncommon, but it does hurt the value somewhat. I'm starting to get a bit nervous on this one. The fact that someone has bothered to either locate or fabricate a sideplate that would pass at first blush makes me wonder what other skullduggery we should look for. But regardless, the Luger would bring top dollar in the shooter category. dju

09-29-2012, 01:25 PM	#15
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	"the 33 in on the reverse side.........which would indicate this is not a serious effort to deceive, but an effort to impress his friends with an "all-matching pistol" At the least it shows an effort to impress ones friends. But it is more likely an effort to make money dishonestly. I guess it all depends on how it was marketed/disclosed to the prospective buyers. And there are a lot of sellers out there, nefarious and otherwise, who are not aware of the inside number issue. Again I state that is a very nice shooter. But nothing more. dju

09-30-2012, 10:29 AM	#16
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,766 Thanks: 4,883 Thanked 3,121 Times in 1,432 Posts	The chip is just behind the safety lever, the result of impatience in removing the grip panel. David I agree that's ONE of the ways..shooting is another. I took a pistol shooting with the grip completely intact and the grip fractured at the safety and fell out right on the firing line. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."