Luger identification and value

Fracs · 11-28-2021, 10:29 PM

Hey guys, just got my first luger and I would love to know more about it. All I know is that it's numbers matching with a matching magazine. Any help is appreciated

Not sure why it keeps flipping the images? Sorry about that but it won't revert?

Doubs · 11-29-2021, 01:47 AM

Welcome to the forum. You have a 1941 Mauser made Luger. "byf" was Mauser's code assigned to keep the manufacturer's identity a secret. Over the course of their period of making Lugers, Mauser was assigned several codes and "byf" was one of them. The "hump" on the back of the frame is also a characteristic of Mauser Lugers although in some years the hump wasn't used. The black plastic grips makes yours a "Black Widow" Luger, a term commonly used but is not official. A well known Luger seller named Ralph Shattuck first used the name to improve sales. The name stuck. You have a Mauser Luger that is desirable and an excellent first choice.

To record your Luger, write down the serial number as 2118u. The suffix letter on the frame is part of the serial number. Also record the chamber marking 41 and the toggle marking byf. Why? Because serial number 2118u was made more than once but in different years so the chamber and toggle are marked differently.

Mac Cat · 11-29-2021, 10:21 AM

That's a really nice luger!
Congratulations!

You'll find that just taking good pictures of a luger is a big challenge.

Fracs · 11-29-2021, 10:54 AM

Appreciate the info

Edward Tinker · 11-29-2021, 02:24 PM

welcome to the forum - I have found that if you slightly crop the picture, then save, then upload, it will no longer be wonky crooked, but what you have is fine.

sdmark777 · 11-29-2021, 02:58 PM

Here ya go. Welcome.

mrerick · 11-29-2021, 04:43 PM

Hi Brian, and welcome to the forum.

You have a nice honest 41 date byf Mauser Luger in original finish. It's helpful to see nice sharp photos like the ones you posted. If you look inside the trigger side plate you'll probably see the digits "22" lightly stamped on the flat in there.

If you would like, download a copy of our FAQ PDF document. It has a great deal of reference information that you'll find useful, and it's free. Just follow the "FAQ" link at the top of every forum page.

Fracs · 11-29-2021, 04:50 PM

Awesome guys, appreciate everyone's help

MFC · 11-29-2021, 10:24 PM

Hi Brian
Welcome to the forum.
You stated that the magazine matches. Do you mean it is numbered to the pistol or, is it a blank black bakelite bottom like the grips?
Can you show some pictures of it?

Fracs · 12-02-2021, 11:54 AM

I'll get a pic when I get home tonight. It's numbered to the pistol

11-29-2021, 02:24 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,607 Times in 2,123 Posts	welcome to the forum - I have found that if you slightly crop the picture, then save, then upload, it will no longer be wonky crooked, but what you have is fine. __________________ 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

11-29-2021, 04:43 PM	#7
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,139 Times in 1,520 Posts	Hi Brian, and welcome to the forum. You have a nice honest 41 date byf Mauser Luger in original finish. It's helpful to see nice sharp photos like the ones you posted. If you look inside the trigger side plate you'll probably see the digits "22" lightly stamped on the flat in there. If you would like, download a copy of our FAQ PDF document. It has a great deal of reference information that you'll find useful, and it's free. Just follow the "FAQ" link at the top of every forum page. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-29-2021, 10:24 PM	#9
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Hi Brian Welcome to the forum. You stated that the magazine matches. Do you mean it is numbered to the pistol or, is it a blank black bakelite bottom like the grips? Can you show some pictures of it? __________________ Mike C.

11-29-2021, 01:47 AM	#2
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,742 Thanks: 826 Thanked 1,786 Times in 590 Posts	Welcome to the forum. You have a 1941 Mauser made Luger. "byf" was Mauser's code assigned to keep the manufacturer's identity a secret. Over the course of their period of making Lugers, Mauser was assigned several codes and "byf" was one of them. The "hump" on the back of the frame is also a characteristic of Mauser Lugers although in some years the hump wasn't used. The black plastic grips makes yours a "Black Widow" Luger, a term commonly used but is not official. A well known Luger seller named Ralph Shattuck first used the name to improve sales. The name stuck. You have a Mauser Luger that is desirable and an excellent first choice. To record your Luger, write down the serial number as 2118u. The suffix letter on the frame is part of the serial number. Also record the chamber marking 41 and the toggle marking byf. Why? Because serial number 2118u was made more than once but in different years so the chamber and toggle are marked differently.

11-29-2021, 10:21 AM	#3
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 769 Thanks: 2,188 Thanked 656 Times in 350 Posts	That's a really nice luger! Congratulations! You'll find that just taking good pictures of a luger is a big challenge.

11-29-2021, 10:54 AM	#4
Fracs New User Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Appreciate the info

11-29-2021, 04:50 PM	#8
Fracs New User Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Awesome guys, appreciate everyone's help

12-02-2021, 11:54 AM	#10
Fracs New User Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	I'll get a pic when I get home tonight. It's numbered to the pistol