1939 42 s/n 114 r

Peteyboy · 08-04-2023, 04:18 PM

Doubs said:
The change from S/42 to just 42 came in 1939. S/42 production in 1939 was approximately 38,500. The production of 42 Lugers began about serial number 200r and your serial number suffix letter is a W. There were approximately 85,500 Lugers marked 42 produced in 1939. If I had to guess - and that's what I'm doing - I'd say your Luger was made in September, 1939. It could have been late August or even early October but IMO the best guess is September.

I just bought a 1939 42 Luger with s/n 114 r. I quess my 114 r is a bit before the approximately 200 r beginning number shown above. Can this be true?

mrerick · 08-05-2023, 10:57 AM

I have moved this post to it's own thread. Please open questions like this in their own thread instead of adding them to older existing threads.

mrerick · 08-05-2023, 11:02 AM

Luger pistols were manufactured in batches at the factory in Oberndorf.

The "S/42" and "42" were concealment codes that identified Mauser.

Parts were not wasted at the Mauser factory. It's more than possible that batches manufactured during the changeover of the concealment code could have been made with newer parts as needed.

This may have happened as a pistol batch passed through the factory out of sequence of serial numbers, or if a part previously marked was in shorter supply.

"That part has the newer concealment code and should be thrown out", said no German ever...

It's possible that you have the earliest example found of this concealment code switch over...

tharpo · 08-05-2023, 12:39 PM

Hallock and Van de Kant estimate that there were 5,993 1939-42 Luger produced in the "q" suffix. So many were produced before the "r" suffix.

08-04-2023, 04:18 PM	#1
Peteyboy User Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 22 Thanks: 9 Thanked 28 Times in 7 Posts	1939 42 s/n 114 r Doubs said: The change from S/42 to just 42 came in 1939. S/42 production in 1939 was approximately 38,500. The production of 42 Lugers began about serial number 200r and your serial number suffix letter is a W. There were approximately 85,500 Lugers marked 42 produced in 1939. If I had to guess - and that's what I'm doing - I'd say your Luger was made in September, 1939. It could have been late August or even early October but IMO the best guess is September. I just bought a 1939 42 Luger with s/n 114 r. I quess my 114 r is a bit before the approximately 200 r beginning number shown above. Can this be true? Attached Thumbnails

08-05-2023, 10:57 AM	#2
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	I have moved this post to it's own thread. Please open questions like this in their own thread instead of adding them to older existing threads. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-05-2023, 11:02 AM	#3
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Luger pistols were manufactured in batches at the factory in Oberndorf. The "S/42" and "42" were concealment codes that identified Mauser. Parts were not wasted at the Mauser factory. It's more than possible that batches manufactured during the changeover of the concealment code could have been made with newer parts as needed. This may have happened as a pistol batch passed through the factory out of sequence of serial numbers, or if a part previously marked was in shorter supply. "That part has the newer concealment code and should be thrown out", said no German ever... It's possible that you have the earliest example found of this concealment code switch over... __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-05-2023, 12:39 PM	#4
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 543 Thanks: 116 Thanked 382 Times in 157 Posts	Hallock and Van de Kant estimate that there were 5,993 1939-42 Luger produced in the "q" suffix. So many were produced before the "r" suffix.