New owner

QCMAN007 · 12-17-2003, 09:10 PM

Hi guys, I've recently inherited my father-in-law Luger. From what I've been able to identify from the Tech. section. Its a Military Mauser (byf) serial #4558 (proofs 46) The barrel is stamped with a 41, Is that the production year ? What's the 8.82 below the ser# under the barrel ? On the front of the fram, just below the Ser# is what looks like a small cursive "r" All numbers match -except for the side plate. It has some pitting and has 237 stamped on it's bottom. Is this a replaced piece? Father-in-law was a COP and loved this gun. He carried it as his off duty weapon. Any help with it's history is appreciated.

Johnny C. Kitchens · 12-18-2003, 12:34 AM

What is (proofs 46)??? Do you mean the reciever above the chamber is stamped 41? If so yes that is the year it was made. The 8.82 is the barrels inside diameter, which is close enough to be rounded to 9mm...

QCMAN007 · 12-18-2003, 07:33 AM

Sorry, about the incomplete info, from the Tech Info section it's stamped with Proof page #4 ( 46) the three sets of eagles, also the barrel with two eagles. I'll try to post a pic of the script, I didn't see any samples of this one. Am I correct that the side plate is a mis-match ? Thanks

Frank · 12-18-2003, 08:29 AM

Hi Steve, welcome to the Luger Forum. It sounds to me like you have a standard byf 41, with a substituted side (trigger) plate. The script "r" is part of the serial number (4558r). Your pistol was completed about April 1941. The byf is a German Ordnance Code and signifies the manufacturer (Mauser). The 8,82 is the diameter of the bore, across the lands, in millimeters. Most European countries use the comma, instead of the decimal point, so in the US it would be 8.82.

The right side receiver marks are two eagle-over-655 and one eagle-over-swastika. The first two are German Inspection Office (Waffenamt) marks and signify compliance to specifications. The third mark is a firing proof mark, which indicated the pistol was successfully fired with an over-pressure cartridge.

With the mismatched trigger plate, your pistol would be classified as a "shooter", rather than a collectable. So go have some fun with it!!

Hope this helps!

Lugerdoc · 12-18-2003, 10:10 AM

Steve, If the #237 on the lower edge of your side plate is original, it is probably from a M1900, as that was the only model that I recall some side plates and rear toggle links bearing the last 3 digits (vise last 2) of the serial number. If original finish, the side plate should be rust blued vise the darker salt blue on the rest of your 41BYF parts. I do have available an exc #43 late Mauser side plate available for trade. TH

QCMAN007 · 12-18-2003, 08:27 PM

Thanks for all the helpful answers. Now I want to find out what was going on in the world during April 1941. It just keeps getting deeper and deeper.

12-17-2003, 09:10 PM	#1
QCMAN007 User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New owner Hi guys, I've recently inherited my father-in-law Luger. From what I've been able to identify from the Tech. section. Its a Military Mauser (byf) serial #4558 (proofs 46) The barrel is stamped with a 41, Is that the production year ? What's the 8.82 below the ser# under the barrel ? On the front of the fram, just below the Ser# is what looks like a small cursive "r" All numbers match -except for the side plate. It has some pitting and has 237 stamped on it's bottom. Is this a replaced piece? Father-in-law was a COP and loved this gun. He carried it as his off duty weapon. Any help with it's history is appreciated.

12-18-2003, 10:10 AM	#5
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Steve, If the #237 on the lower edge of your side plate is original, it is probably from a M1900, as that was the only model that I recall some side plates and rear toggle links bearing the last 3 digits (vise last 2) of the serial number. If original finish, the side plate should be rust blued vise the darker salt blue on the rest of your 41BYF parts. I do have available an exc #43 late Mauser side plate available for trade. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

12-18-2003, 12:34 AM	#2
Johnny C. Kitchens User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 518 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	What is (proofs 46)??? Do you mean the reciever above the chamber is stamped 41? If so yes that is the year it was made. The 8.82 is the barrels inside diameter, which is close enough to be rounded to 9mm... __________________ Johnny C. Kitchens

12-18-2003, 07:33 AM	#3
QCMAN007 User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry, about the incomplete info, from the Tech Info section it's stamped with Proof page #4 ( 46) the three sets of eagles, also the barrel with two eagles. I'll try to post a pic of the script, I didn't see any samples of this one. Am I correct that the side plate is a mis-match ? Thanks

12-18-2003, 08:29 AM	#4
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Hi Steve, welcome to the Luger Forum. It sounds to me like you have a standard byf 41, with a substituted side (trigger) plate. The script "r" is part of the serial number (4558r). Your pistol was completed about April 1941. The byf is a German Ordnance Code and signifies the manufacturer (Mauser). The 8,82 is the diameter of the bore, across the lands, in millimeters. Most European countries use the comma, instead of the decimal point, so in the US it would be 8.82. The right side receiver marks are two eagle-over-655 and one eagle-over-swastika. The first two are German Inspection Office (Waffenamt) marks and signify compliance to specifications. The third mark is a firing proof mark, which indicated the pistol was successfully fired with an over-pressure cartridge. With the mismatched trigger plate, your pistol would be classified as a "shooter", rather than a collectable. So go have some fun with it!! Hope this helps!

12-18-2003, 08:27 PM	#6
QCMAN007 User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for all the helpful answers. Now I want to find out what was going on in the world during April 1941. It just keeps getting deeper and deeper.