New member with a First Luger - Indiana

Wilson1937/42 · 01-20-2015, 09:36 PM

Hello fellow gun nuts!
I am a newbie to the forum and also a newbie Luger owner.
I have been looking for a while and ended up getting one today. Just not totally sure what variation I have.
1937 with 42 on the toggle but no "s/" in front of the 42.
All matching.
Looks like it has the Black Widow grips on it though.

I'll post some pics once I figure that out.

Thanks!

Edward Tinker · 01-20-2015, 10:17 PM

welcome to the forum - using an IPad with auto correct

Pictures, serial number with suffix are needed to help

Otherwise, we can say, you have a Mauser made in 1937 and we assume its all matching

Ed

MFC · 01-20-2015, 10:33 PM

The '42' code didn't start until 1939. The numbers may match but the toggle is for a later made Luger.

wlyon · 01-20-2015, 11:43 PM

Correct. Also to early for black grips. Bill

Wilson1937/42 · 01-21-2015, 04:58 PM

mrerick · 01-21-2015, 09:05 PM

HI Russ, and welcome to the forum.

Your picture is sized too small to see any detail. Try posting with about 1024 pixels across.

As already mentioned, your Luger was assembled from parts that are not installed by the factory for that year of production. It is considered a shooter grade Luger regardless of the numbers you see on the parts.

Marc

Wilson1937/42 · 01-23-2015, 06:55 PM

I think I have the photos figured out.

DavidJayUden · 01-23-2015, 07:13 PM

W:
Congratulations, looks like a great shooter! It has been switched around over the years, but it looks good. How does it shoot?
dju

Wilson1937/42 · 01-23-2015, 07:19 PM

Thanks!

As far as a 'switched around' what exactly do you see? (Just learning) I know the grips are incorrect and I will be looking for period correct wood grips.

I have not shot it yet. Picked it up this past Tuesday and have been too busy with fire investigations to have any daylight left when I return home.

mrerick · 01-23-2015, 08:23 PM

Don't pour money into changing your new Luger. It has been refinished as well (the WaffenAmt inspection marks are scrubbed off the right front of the receiver).

The Crown/U inspection mark on the left is likely a VoPo rework inspection mark. It's possible that the twenty in a box was applied at that time also (I have not seen that mark before).

You have a very nice shooter, and it should function well...

Is there a "69" stamped inside the trigger plate? If so, the grips and magazine may be the only parts substituted.

It's unusual to find the sear safety block blued. They normally stayed in the white. This makes me wonder if this Luger was dip refinished, which was often done by the Russians and VoPo.

Is there an "X" stamped anywhere - perhaps on the rear axle pin?

Marc

Wilson1937/42 · 01-23-2015, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the info and kind words Mark.

I thought the right side had been scrubbed too. I thought the "20" was really odd. The only reason for the "new" grips would be because the left side is broken where the web of my hand goes and it kinda cuts into the skin.

DavidJayUden · 01-23-2015, 09:11 PM

You asked about my "switched around" remark. I am referring to the black grips, probably the magazine, the black finish, and the "42" center toggle link. These guns were reworked to function, not be original. That is why I say you have a fine shooter.
dju

Lugerdoc · 01-23-2015, 11:25 PM

The double crown over U is the correct commercial proofing for 1939, but I would have expected it to have a Mauser Banner center toggle link, vise the military code 42. The grips are Portugese replacements. if they also reworked the pistol, there may be some Portugese proof under the barrel. Check it out. Tom

alanint · 01-24-2015, 06:30 AM

Your grips are also not original, but poorly made castings.

Wilson1937/42 · 01-28-2015, 01:00 PM

Marc- the number stamped inside the trigger plate is "68" and I do not see an "X" anywhere on the gun.

Lugerdoc- I find no proof stamp under the barrel that you are referring to. (Portuguese)

DJU- thank you.

01-20-2015, 09:36 PM	#1
Wilson1937/42 User Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New member with a First Luger - Indiana Hello fellow gun nuts! I am a newbie to the forum and also a newbie Luger owner. I have been looking for a while and ended up getting one today. Just not totally sure what variation I have. 1937 with 42 on the toggle but no "s/" in front of the 42. All matching. Looks like it has the Black Widow grips on it though. I'll post some pics once I figure that out. Thanks! Last edited by Wilson1937/42; 01-20-2015 at 10:50 PM. Reason: Typo - dang auto correct!

01-20-2015, 10:17 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	welcome to the forum - using an IPad with auto correct Pictures, serial number with suffix are needed to help Otherwise, we can say, you have a Mauser made in 1937 and we assume its all matching 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

01-20-2015, 10:33 PM	#3
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	The '42' code didn't start until 1939. The numbers may match but the toggle is for a later made Luger. __________________ Mike C.

01-20-2015, 11:43 PM	#4
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,656 Thanks: 3,212 Thanked 2,620 Times in 972 Posts	Correct. Also to early for black grips. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

01-21-2015, 09:05 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	HI Russ, and welcome to the forum. Your picture is sized too small to see any detail. Try posting with about 1024 pixels across. As already mentioned, your Luger was assembled from parts that are not installed by the factory for that year of production. It is considered a shooter grade Luger regardless of the numbers you see on the parts. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-21-2015, 04:58 PM	#5
Wilson1937/42 User Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

01-23-2015, 06:55 PM	#7
Wilson1937/42 User Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Better pics of the Luger 1937 I think I have the photos figured out. Attached Thumbnails

01-23-2015, 07:13 PM	#8
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	W: Congratulations, looks like a great shooter! It has been switched around over the years, but it looks good. How does it shoot? dju

01-23-2015, 07:19 PM	#9
Wilson1937/42 User Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks! As far as a 'switched around' what exactly do you see? (Just learning) I know the grips are incorrect and I will be looking for period correct wood grips. I have not shot it yet. Picked it up this past Tuesday and have been too busy with fire investigations to have any daylight left when I return home.

01-23-2015, 08:23 PM	#10
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Don't pour money into changing your new Luger. It has been refinished as well (the WaffenAmt inspection marks are scrubbed off the right front of the receiver). The Crown/U inspection mark on the left is likely a VoPo rework inspection mark. It's possible that the twenty in a box was applied at that time also (I have not seen that mark before). You have a very nice shooter, and it should function well... Is there a "69" stamped inside the trigger plate? If so, the grips and magazine may be the only parts substituted. It's unusual to find the sear safety block blued. They normally stayed in the white. This makes me wonder if this Luger was dip refinished, which was often done by the Russians and VoPo. Is there an "X" stamped anywhere - perhaps on the rear axle pin? Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-23-2015, 08:29 PM	#11
Wilson1937/42 User Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the info and kind words Mark. I thought the right side had been scrubbed too. I thought the "20" was really odd. The only reason for the "new" grips would be because the left side is broken where the web of my hand goes and it kinda cuts into the skin.

01-23-2015, 09:11 PM	#12
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	You asked about my "switched around" remark. I am referring to the black grips, probably the magazine, the black finish, and the "42" center toggle link. These guns were reworked to function, not be original. That is why I say you have a fine shooter. dju

01-23-2015, 11:25 PM	#13
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	The double crown over U is the correct commercial proofing for 1939, but I would have expected it to have a Mauser Banner center toggle link, vise the military code 42. The grips are Portugese replacements. if they also reworked the pistol, there may be some Portugese proof under the barrel. Check it out. Tom __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-24-2015, 06:30 AM	#14
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Your grips are also not original, but poorly made castings.

01-28-2015, 01:00 PM	#15
Wilson1937/42 User Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Marc- the number stamped inside the trigger plate is "68" and I do not see an "X" anywhere on the gun. Lugerdoc- I find no proof stamp under the barrel that you are referring to. (Portuguese) DJU- thank you.