I don't understand these Markings on the S/42 G

Britton · 02-09-2015, 01:41 PM

The Serial number is 64 and it is all matching except for the magazine, there is some kind of letter under the serial number in front of the frame, but I can't tell what it is, maybe a "b". I am trying to figure out the marks on the right side of the frame just above of the trigger, they look to be proof marks and a serial number"2222". I can't find any import markings anywhere. Any info would be appreciated. Yes, I shot it and I like it!

mrerick · 02-09-2015, 01:51 PM

Luger serial numbers generally have a suffix letter, which is the letter under the numeric digits on the front of the frame.

I can't see detail in the photo you posted. It's either soft focus or not a high enough resolution. Post some more detailed photos.

The finish on your Luger looks redone and not original in the photo. Might be the lighting.

Sergio Natali · 02-09-2015, 02:42 PM

Personally I can't tell fro that photo, but it would be interesting to have a better look at your Luger that's why close and detailed pictures are absolutely crucial.

Sergio

Britton · 02-09-2015, 02:57 PM

I'll get some detailed photos up tomorrow. Thanks!

Britton · 02-10-2015, 10:33 AM

I am not sure if it has been re-blued or not. I owned a large gun shop for 8 years and could always tell. The markings are crisp and there is normal wear on the blueing. Maybe 30 or 40 years ago it was refinish, don't really know. I don't really care what it is worth, I wanted it so I got it, always wanted one. Here are two more pictures, and yes I am not that good of a camera man. I really appreciate the help on this, I just want to know more about it. I really enjoy shooting it, although for some reason it likes hollow points more than 115 grain ball, going to try some 124 grain this weekend.

Geo99 · 02-13-2015, 12:57 AM

You should shoot it - it's reblued. Rust blued Lugers do not shine like that, unless they are wet, and the small parts were originally strawed on G date Lugers - yours are blue.

Still a handsome shooter!

- Geo

alanint · 02-13-2015, 06:28 AM

I agree that it is buffed and reblued. The proofs and number above the trigger are intriguing. A closer look at these would help determine their origin and perhaps shed some light as to why these proofs and the number were added. They are not factory original to the gun.

Britton · 02-16-2015, 03:13 PM

Thank you. I do enjoy shooting it. Any recommendations on magazines?

alanint · 02-16-2015, 03:27 PM

Modern Mec-Gar magazines made in Italy are the way to go.

DavidJayUden · 02-16-2015, 03:27 PM

Often the best magazine is the one that works well in the gun, so don't discount any until you try it. However the brand Mec-Gar is a pretty safe bet.
And we have a mag. expert here, G. T., who can rework Mec-Gars and others with better springs, etc.
dju

Geo99 · 02-17-2015, 02:10 AM

What's wrong with the magazine you have in it?

I like to use original aluminum bottom magazine to shoot with. I find they feed better than the Mecgar and they are very tough - don't need to worry about breaking it like you do with a wood bottom mag.

Yes they do run $100-$150 each, but if you have one or two lying around anyway, why not use them?

- Geo

02-09-2015, 01:41 PM	#1
Britton New User Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I don't understand these Markings on the S/42 G The Serial number is 64 and it is all matching except for the magazine, there is some kind of letter under the serial number in front of the frame, but I can't tell what it is, maybe a "b". I am trying to figure out the marks on the right side of the frame just above of the trigger, they look to be proof marks and a serial number"2222". I can't find any import markings anywhere. Any info would be appreciated. Yes, I shot it and I like it!

02-09-2015, 01:51 PM	#2
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	Luger serial numbers generally have a suffix letter, which is the letter under the numeric digits on the front of the frame. I can't see detail in the photo you posted. It's either soft focus or not a high enough resolution. Post some more detailed photos. The finish on your Luger looks redone and not original in the photo. Might be the lighting. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

02-09-2015, 02:42 PM	#3
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Personally I can't tell fro that photo, but it would be interesting to have a better look at your Luger that's why close and detailed pictures are absolutely crucial. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

02-13-2015, 12:57 AM	#6
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 398 Thanks: 102 Thanked 125 Times in 74 Posts	You should shoot it - it's reblued. Rust blued Lugers do not shine like that, unless they are wet, and the small parts were originally strawed on G date Lugers - yours are blue. Still a handsome shooter! - Geo __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

02-17-2015, 02:10 AM	#11
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 398 Thanks: 102 Thanked 125 Times in 74 Posts	What's wrong with the magazine you have in it? I like to use original aluminum bottom magazine to shoot with. I find they feed better than the Mecgar and they are very tough - don't need to worry about breaking it like you do with a wood bottom mag. Yes they do run $100-$150 each, but if you have one or two lying around anyway, why not use them? - Geo __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

02-09-2015, 02:57 PM	#4
Britton New User Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'll get some detailed photos up tomorrow. Thanks!

02-10-2015, 10:33 AM	#5
Britton New User Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I am not sure if it has been re-blued or not. I owned a large gun shop for 8 years and could always tell. The markings are crisp and there is normal wear on the blueing. Maybe 30 or 40 years ago it was refinish, don't really know. I don't really care what it is worth, I wanted it so I got it, always wanted one. Here are two more pictures, and yes I am not that good of a camera man. I really appreciate the help on this, I just want to know more about it. I really enjoy shooting it, although for some reason it likes hollow points more than 115 grain ball, going to try some 124 grain this weekend.

02-13-2015, 06:28 AM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I agree that it is buffed and reblued. The proofs and number above the trigger are intriguing. A closer look at these would help determine their origin and perhaps shed some light as to why these proofs and the number were added. They are not factory original to the gun.

02-16-2015, 03:13 PM	#8
Britton New User Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you. I do enjoy shooting it. Any recommendations on magazines?

02-16-2015, 03:27 PM	#9
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Modern Mec-Gar magazines made in Italy are the way to go.

02-16-2015, 03:27 PM	#10
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Often the best magazine is the one that works well in the gun, so don't discount any until you try it. However the brand Mec-Gar is a pretty safe bet. And we have a mag. expert here, G. T., who can rework Mec-Gars and others with better springs, etc. dju