Stupid Question

Art1 · 11-18-2002, 06:20 PM

Being Luger ignorant, I have no idea what a Black Widow is. I am looking for a WWII vintage Luger to fill a void and one I can choose from is a Black Widow. What is the difference between that and a basic P-08? TIA

Edward Tinker · 11-18-2002, 06:30 PM

This is an easy answer, and the only stupid question is when you sit there and don't ask it, [img]smile.gif[/img] The answer is borrowed from our FAQ here: http://www.lugerforum.com/FAQ.html

Q: What is a "Black Widow" Luger?
A: Typically a 41 or a 42 dated chamber Mauser, toggle coded "byf" with black plastic grips (on about 20% of them). This was simply a marketing tactic employed, and the phrase was coined by Ralph Shattuck (he tells me). It really worked. These guns have a black salt blued finish, black grips, and all blued (black color) small parts (trigger, safety lever and take down lever). Some of the 1940 vintage (a very few), and 41/42 Lugers had them also, but primiarly the "byf" with black grips are a "Black Widow". This was an American invention, and had no German basis at all! German collectors say "Huh?" sometimes, when you mention the term! Shown below is an example of a "Black Widow".

and was originaly written by my friend Thor

Ed

Art1 · 11-18-2002, 06:57 PM

Thanks, I think I'll stick to wood grips for now. No wonder I'd never heard that one. Art

11-18-2002, 06:20 PM	#1
Art1 New User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Stupid Question Being Luger ignorant, I have no idea what a Black Widow is. I am looking for a WWII vintage Luger to fill a void and one I can choose from is a Black Widow. What is the difference between that and a basic P-08? TIA __________________ "An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications" R. A. Heinlein

11-18-2002, 06:30 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,925 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,518 Times in 2,087 Posts	This is an easy answer, and the only stupid question is when you sit there and don't ask it, [img]smile.gif[/img] The answer is borrowed from our FAQ here: http://www.lugerforum.com/FAQ.html Q: What is a "Black Widow" Luger? A: Typically a 41 or a 42 dated chamber Mauser, toggle coded "byf" with black plastic grips (on about 20% of them). This was simply a marketing tactic employed, and the phrase was coined by Ralph Shattuck (he tells me). It really worked. These guns have a black salt blued finish, black grips, and all blued (black color) small parts (trigger, safety lever and take down lever). Some of the 1940 vintage (a very few), and 41/42 Lugers had them also, but primiarly the "byf" with black grips are a "Black Widow". This was an American invention, and had no German basis at all! German collectors say "Huh?" sometimes, when you mention the term! Shown below is an example of a "Black Widow". and was originaly written by my friend Thor 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

11-18-2002, 06:57 PM	#3
Art1 New User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, I think I'll stick to wood grips for now. No wonder I'd never heard that one. Art __________________ "An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications" R. A. Heinlein