WW2 Mauser made Luger

[Dr.Dave]

Hi everybody.

I'm new to these parts and though I have quite a few deacts I recently got my first Luger - so I'm pretty far from being expert.

It's a Mauser made '42' and according to the cert was deactivated (UK) in 2013. I took it as part of a trade I had going with a dealer.

Couple of issues - one technical and one re. identification.

Tech - to dry fire it I have to push the trigger forward before or after cocking or it won't dry fire. Does so fine once I do that. Is this normal with a deact or is it a fault ?

Identification - The '42' appears twice on the pistol. Once on the breech which I think is the date of manufacture. The other is on part of the toggle assembly which I figure means it was a stock part already stamped that was being used up , as from what I read by 1942 the byf code was in use. I'm thinking this is unusual rather than rare. Does that sound right? The pistol is all matching numbers including on the same manufactured part of the toggle that the 42 appears on so I've no reason to think it's been put together from different pistols.

Comments welcome - as I say , I'm the beginner here.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Dr.Dave

Tech - to dry fire it I have to push the trigger forward before or after cocking or it won't dry fire. Does so fine once I do that. Is this normal with a deact or is it a fault ?

Sounds like the trigger spring is shot/missing/broken. I don't know how they de-activate them, but if heat from welding is involved, the spring could have lost its temper. It may have collapsed.

[rhuff]

I agree with Rich's post....sounds like the trigger return spring is missing or has gone bad. Also, perhaps there is crud buildup in the trigger mechanism and needs a good cleaning and lube.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by rhuff

Also, perhaps there is crud buildup in the trigger mechanism and needs a good cleaning and lube.

Yes, the sear bar has a plunger that sometimes 'sticks'. It can be cleaned in lacquer thinner, gasoline, mineral spirits etc by immersing it and working the plunger back & forth...

...Or carefully disassembling it and cleaning it out...

[Mac Cat]

... and use a snap cap!

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by Mac Cat

... and use a snap cap!

l'm not sure a deactiveted pistol can chamber anything.

[mrerick]

"42" was also a concealment code used with Mauser made Lugers in 1939 and 1940. If the chamber has "42" over it, that is a date, and the toggle didn't leave the factory on the gun.

Depending on the appearance of the "42" on the toggle, it could also be an armorer's replacement part. They were marked in this way.

Marc

[Dr.Dave]

Originally Posted by mrerick

"42" was also a concealment code used with Mauser made Lugers in 1939 and 1940. If the chamber has "42" over it, that is a date, and the toggle didn't leave the factory on the gun.

Depending on the appearance of the "42" on the toggle, it could also be an armorer's replacement part. They were marked in this way.

Marc

42 is indeed on the chamber - stamped around it

The 42 on the toggle assemble is stamped along it rather than around , and on this same manufactured part of the toggle is the same serial number as the rest of the pistol. It looks pretty much the same as the other 42 in appearance.

Re. the trigger spring issue. I'll field strip it and see if I can sort it with cleaning although the whole pistol is in excellent condition and looks well maintained. I'm not confident enough to take it down any further.

BTW I have other deacts and I don't like to dry fire them , but as this is likely to get sold at some point I wanted to make sure all was well.

[DavidJayUden]

On this side of the pond we occasionally recommend YouTube to assist new owners in the disassembly/assembly process, but I'm not sure if it will cover the correct functions on a deact. Good luck to you and enjoy!
dju