Luger 42 (1940) Information Please

sharpsman2002 · 07-31-2003, 05:02 AM

Hello--I'm a new member and really enjoy your Website--very informative. Wondering if you could give me some information on the following Luger:

Pictures of grips and gun are attached. Mauser 42 (1940). Serial #8499c and all numbers match (and present on all necessary parts)--good honest (non-Russian Rework Luger). Wear on the grips seem to be consistent with the wear on the gun--though this is certainly subjective. There is some wear at the top rear of the right grip panel--some tan color showing through the black bakelite in a very small area. Maybe a holster rivet created this small mark.

Grips appear to be German manufacture. Based on the angle of checkering and single screw hole on the back of each grip (versus the less steep angle of checkering and double screw holes typically seen on Russian Grips), I believe they are correct German manufacture grips.

Any thoughts/comments regarding this Luger?

Much appreciated,

Doug

sharpsman2002 · 07-31-2003, 05:05 AM

Another picture of gun.

sharpsman2002 · 07-31-2003, 05:25 AM

Back of Bakelite Grips:

sharpsman2002 · 07-31-2003, 05:31 AM

Front of Grips:

Edward Tinker · 07-31-2003, 05:33 AM

I no longer have a 1940 / 42 but the one I had was nice. Yours looks like a nice one, honest wear, but nice. Most 1940's (if not all) had wooden grips, although it is very possible (if they are real) that they were replacements later in the war.

Ed

John Sabato · 08-01-2003, 01:41 PM

I agree with Ed that if genuine these are likely late war or post war replacement grips...

Your grips appear in the photos to be covered with some type of wax or oil? When the real ones have honest wear on them they don't usually look as shiney as your photos...

The reproduction BW grips that can be found for $25 or less (or more if you are being ripped off by an auction scam artist) do not usually have such clean mold linesas yours...and the checkering seems to be the result of injection molding in a mold cast from genuine grips...

At first glance, from their construction and checkering yours appear to be genuine grips, but I need to see a sharp focus closeup with little glare on the inside of the left grip, in particular the area circled in Red... to be more certain.

BTW, Nice Luger too!

sharpsman2002 · 08-01-2003, 03:05 PM

Thanks for your input Mr. Sabato. I'm heading out for vacation (Sturgis Rally), but when I return, I will send you additional pictures of my grips. Really appreciate your help.

Doug

saxman · 08-02-2003, 02:49 AM

Does that gun look a little over-buffed, or is it just me? Judging by these pics, I'd say it was refinished, and crudely polished in the process, maybe sanded a little, particularly the trigger plate. An old job, to be sure, if it was.

Silvereagle29 · 08-03-2003, 03:04 AM

I don't believe that any 1940-42 Lugers left the factory with black plastic grips. In my opinion
these grips did not appear until June of 1941. At that point in time they were occasionally standard equipment on the 41-byf and later. If a pistol was manufactured prior to this time and has black plastic grips installed, they are most certainly replacements. As always, just an opinion.

Silvereagle29 · 08-03-2003, 03:08 AM

I don't believe that any 1940-42 Lugers left the factory with black plastic grips. In my opinion
these grips did not appear until June of 1941. At that point in time they were occasionally standard equipment on the 41-byf and later. If a pistol was manufactured prior to this time and has black plastic grips installed, they are most certainly replacements. As always, just an opinion.

John St · 08-03-2003, 07:44 AM

Mine has wood grips with some dents and stuff but is the same era pistol.
I love it.
Mine is a shooter (I shoot it a lot) and it is extremely accurate and 100% reliable. I have had NO MALFUNCTIONS of any kind, and the accuracy is better than a Woodsman Match or S and W 41 .22 using Gecco hardball ammunition!
The bore is an eyesore--extremely pitted--but the man before me shot the pistol a lot in competition and such (and now has cancer). I got a holster too from the same period with the pistol.
All I can say is that I like my only Luger and once had desires to get another; but no more. Why? It is perfect except for the ugly bore (that still shoots straight).

John Sabato · 08-06-2003, 07:02 PM

sharpsman2002

Watch that "Mr. Sabato" stuff... that's my Dad who turned 84 last month...

07-31-2003, 05:02 AM	#1
sharpsman2002 User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger 42 (1940) Information Please Hello--I'm a new member and really enjoy your Website--very informative. Wondering if you could give me some information on the following Luger: Pictures of grips and gun are attached. Mauser 42 (1940). Serial #8499c and all numbers match (and present on all necessary parts)--good honest (non-Russian Rework Luger). Wear on the grips seem to be consistent with the wear on the gun--though this is certainly subjective. There is some wear at the top rear of the right grip panel--some tan color showing through the black bakelite in a very small area. Maybe a holster rivet created this small mark. Grips appear to be German manufacture. Based on the angle of checkering and single screw hole on the back of each grip (versus the less steep angle of checkering and double screw holes typically seen on Russian Grips), I believe they are correct German manufacture grips. Any thoughts/comments regarding this Luger? Much appreciated, Doug

07-31-2003, 05:33 AM	#5
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	I no longer have a 1940 / 42 but the one I had was nice. Yours looks like a nice one, honest wear, but nice. Most 1940's (if not all) had wooden grips, although it is very possible (if they are real) that they were replacements later in the war. 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

08-01-2003, 01:41 PM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	I agree with Ed that if genuine these are likely late war or post war replacement grips... Your grips appear in the photos to be covered with some type of wax or oil? When the real ones have honest wear on them they don't usually look as shiney as your photos... The reproduction BW grips that can be found for $25 or less (or more if you are being ripped off by an auction scam artist) do not usually have such clean mold linesas yours...and the checkering seems to be the result of injection molding in a mold cast from genuine grips... At first glance, from their construction and checkering yours appear to be genuine grips, but I need to see a sharp focus closeup with little glare on the inside of the left grip, in particular the area circled in Red... to be more certain. BTW, Nice Luger too! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

08-06-2003, 07:02 PM	#12
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	sharpsman2002 Watch that "Mr. Sabato" stuff... that's my Dad who turned 84 last month... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

07-31-2003, 05:05 AM	#2
sharpsman2002 User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another picture of gun.

07-31-2003, 05:25 AM	#3
sharpsman2002 User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Back of Bakelite Grips:

07-31-2003, 05:31 AM	#4
sharpsman2002 User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Front of Grips:

08-01-2003, 03:05 PM	#7
sharpsman2002 User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for your input Mr. Sabato. I'm heading out for vacation (Sturgis Rally), but when I return, I will send you additional pictures of my grips. Really appreciate your help. Doug

08-02-2003, 02:49 AM	#8
saxman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 301 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Does that gun look a little over-buffed, or is it just me? Judging by these pics, I'd say it was refinished, and crudely polished in the process, maybe sanded a little, particularly the trigger plate. An old job, to be sure, if it was. __________________ You can lead 'em to the water, but you can't make 'em drink.

08-03-2003, 03:04 AM	#9
Silvereagle29 User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I don't believe that any 1940-42 Lugers left the factory with black plastic grips. In my opinion these grips did not appear until June of 1941. At that point in time they were occasionally standard equipment on the 41-byf and later. If a pistol was manufactured prior to this time and has black plastic grips installed, they are most certainly replacements. As always, just an opinion.

08-03-2003, 03:08 AM	#10
Silvereagle29 User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I don't believe that any 1940-42 Lugers left the factory with black plastic grips. In my opinion these grips did not appear until June of 1941. At that point in time they were occasionally standard equipment on the 41-byf and later. If a pistol was manufactured prior to this time and has black plastic grips installed, they are most certainly replacements. As always, just an opinion.

08-03-2003, 07:44 AM	#11
John St User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mine has wood grips with some dents and stuff but is the same era pistol. I love it. Mine is a shooter (I shoot it a lot) and it is extremely accurate and 100% reliable. I have had NO MALFUNCTIONS of any kind, and the accuracy is better than a Woodsman Match or S and W 41 .22 using Gecco hardball ammunition! The bore is an eyesore--extremely pitted--but the man before me shot the pistol a lot in competition and such (and now has cancer). I got a holster too from the same period with the pistol. All I can say is that I like my only Luger and once had desires to get another; but no more. Why? It is perfect except for the ugly bore (that still shoots straight).