1938 s/42

wlyon · 10-10-2012, 07:56 PM

The change from rust bluing to salt bluing was in 1937. Apparently there are some early 1937 S42's that have rust blue and streawed small parts. However I believe all the 1938 lugers were salt blued and no straw.According to Hallock and van de Kants Mauser book all the 1938's were salt blued and therefore no strawed parts. I am sure our Mauser experts will be on here. Bill

swampsavage · 10-10-2012, 08:27 PM

As I stated in my post. The parts indicated are all strawed. Also the toggle link pins. They have matching numbers as well. The Type 5 magazine is the only non-matching part. There is no evidence they were ever blued. I live about 30 miles NE of Atlanta and am retired. If anyone over this way cares to see it contact me.

Since posting the above I have been browsing various other posts about strawing. In the process I discovered that my weapon was re-blued at some point in time. The tiny pin in the left toggle is the giveaway. Apparently the previous owner had the mentioned parts strawed at that time. None of this matters much to me as all my firearms are shooters.

John17427 · 10-15-2012, 06:23 PM

OK. After consulting with local experts and a forum member, the consensus opinion on this Luger is that while it is matching and mostly original finish, it appears that the high spots (where there should be wear) may have been touched up. In addition, even if not touched up, with the amount of patina on the gun there is not enough clear original finish to make it a high end collector piece. The mag is not matching and is believed to be a G date magazine.

It'll likely spend the rest of its days with me for as long as I'm around. Thanks to all of the posters with special thanks to MFC. I'm sure I'll be back before long with another P.08 seeking advice. Thanks!

10-10-2012, 07:56 PM	#1
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,652 Thanks: 3,210 Thanked 2,613 Times in 969 Posts	The change from rust bluing to salt bluing was in 1937. Apparently there are some early 1937 S42's that have rust blue and streawed small parts. However I believe all the 1938 lugers were salt blued and no straw.According to Hallock and van de Kants Mauser book all the 1938's were salt blued and therefore no strawed parts. I am sure our Mauser experts will be on here. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

10-10-2012, 08:27 PM	#2
swampsavage User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Jackson County, GA Posts: 43 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	As I stated in my post. The parts indicated are all strawed. Also the toggle link pins. They have matching numbers as well. The Type 5 magazine is the only non-matching part. There is no evidence they were ever blued. I live about 30 miles NE of Atlanta and am retired. If anyone over this way cares to see it contact me. Since posting the above I have been browsing various other posts about strawing. In the process I discovered that my weapon was re-blued at some point in time. The tiny pin in the left toggle is the giveaway. Apparently the previous owner had the mentioned parts strawed at that time. None of this matters much to me as all my firearms are shooters. __________________ John Last edited by swampsavage; 10-11-2012 at 05:25 AM. Reason: added info

10-15-2012, 06:23 PM	#3
John17427 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20 Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	OK. After consulting with local experts and a forum member, the consensus opinion on this Luger is that while it is matching and mostly original finish, it appears that the high spots (where there should be wear) may have been touched up. In addition, even if not touched up, with the amount of patina on the gun there is not enough clear original finish to make it a high end collector piece. The mag is not matching and is believed to be a G date magazine. It'll likely spend the rest of its days with me for as long as I'm around. Thanks to all of the posters with special thanks to MFC. I'm sure I'll be back before long with another P.08 seeking advice. Thanks!