Serial Number On 1938 S/42

Hay · 02-21-2003, 10:08 AM

Are there any reference materials or other means to find out any specifics about my S/42 based on the serial number 7759. I dont mean value so much as city and month made and where it was used. Other parts except magazine are numbered 59 also.

Frank · 02-21-2003, 10:59 AM

Hi Hay, kinda tough to give you much information. There should be a suffix letter on the frame, under the barrel and is part of the serial number. Unless we know this suffix all we can say is that it was completed in 1938!!

With respect to where and when it was used, no information is available!!

Edward Tinker · 02-21-2003, 11:05 AM

Hay, there is very little to tell "where or whom" it was issued. There are some Lugers with unit markings, but these are almost always 20-25 years older than your S/42. S/42 is the marking for Mauser, so they were all made in the same factory, I don't remember the town, but if that is what you mean, someone will know.

Ed

chris69 · 02-21-2003, 11:07 AM

Hi Hay what a coincidence I just had a post about my Luger which is a 1940 coded 42 which is in the excellent condition but somebody put pearl grips on it. I was wondering if the grips on your Luger are stamped with the last 2 digits of the serial number. The last 2 digits of the Luger I own are also 59. I wouldnt dare to try to buy the stamped grips of your Luger. I just think its very funny me posting search for a stamped grips 59 and your posting about your Luger numbered 59 as well. Can you please let me know if your grips are stamped. I do own a s 42 as well but the grips are not stamped

Hay · 02-21-2003, 05:06 PM

The letter under the serial number, under the barrel, on the frame is either a single cursive small case b or l. What does this mean?

Also, beneath the serial number under the barrel are some small markings (numbers) I can not quite make out. What are these markings for?

To Chris regarding grip numbers. I have not had grips off yet to see if they are numbered. Somewhere on this site there was instructions for how to do this carefully. I will try to find them and remove and check grips this weekend. weekend.

Dwight Gruber · 02-21-2003, 05:42 PM

Hay,

Here are my recommendations for grip removal.

First, do not remove the left grip unless absolutely necessary!

Take the magazine out, remove the right grip screw, put your finger into the magazine well, and push the right-side grip plate off from the inside.

It is likely, though not guaranteed, that any markings which may be on the left grip can be seen through the frame, without needing to remove it.

If you do need to remove the left grip, use the same inside-out techniquie, but be -very careful- about the small part of the grip which sits behind the thumb safety lever--it is very fragile, and can break off before you know it.

--Dwight

RockinWR · 02-21-2003, 07:02 PM

Hay,
* Mauser (S/42) serialized the pistols in blocks of 10,000. First block: just numbers 1-9999; then, 1a-9999a; then, 1b-9999b; and so forth. Went thru the alphabet aprroximately 3.5 times from 1934-1942 starting with the "K" dates and ending with the byf'42's. Your example could be either the "b" or the "l" suffix block as the 1938 S/N range was approx. 400b-4500n. Check the "Tech.Info" section on suffix letters or post a clear picture of the frame S/N location.
* Small markings on the barrel could be "8,8?" which is the bore diameter in millimeters. Usual range is 8.85 +0.01/-0.03mm = 8.82-8.86mm. If your eyes are like mine, a magnifying glass is advised. If other than above, the S/N, or the barrel to receiver stake mark, please advise with a post/pic delineating.
Respectfully,
WR

Hay · 02-23-2003, 01:25 AM

Chris:
Checked grips. There is a proof mark on each grip but no numbers.

02-21-2003, 10:08 AM	#1
Hay User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Serial Number On 1938 S/42 Are there any reference materials or other means to find out any specifics about my S/42 based on the serial number 7759. I dont mean value so much as city and month made and where it was used. Other parts except magazine are numbered 59 also.

02-21-2003, 11:05 AM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Hay, there is very little to tell "where or whom" it was issued. There are some Lugers with unit markings, but these are almost always 20-25 years older than your S/42. S/42 is the marking for Mauser, so they were all made in the same factory, I don't remember the town, but if that is what you mean, someone will know. 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

02-21-2003, 10:59 AM	#2
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 Hay, kinda tough to give you much information. There should be a suffix letter on the frame, under the barrel and is part of the serial number. Unless we know this suffix all we can say is that it was completed in 1938!! With respect to where and when it was used, no information is available!!

02-21-2003, 11:07 AM	#4
chris69 User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Hay what a coincidence I just had a post about my Luger which is a 1940 coded 42 which is in the excellent condition but somebody put pearl grips on it. I was wondering if the grips on your Luger are stamped with the last 2 digits of the serial number. The last 2 digits of the Luger I own are also 59. I wouldnt dare to try to buy the stamped grips of your Luger. I just think its very funny me posting search for a stamped grips 59 and your posting about your Luger numbered 59 as well. Can you please let me know if your grips are stamped. I do own a s 42 as well but the grips are not stamped

02-21-2003, 05:06 PM	#5
Hay User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The letter under the serial number, under the barrel, on the frame is either a single cursive small case b or l. What does this mean? Also, beneath the serial number under the barrel are some small markings (numbers) I can not quite make out. What are these markings for? To Chris regarding grip numbers. I have not had grips off yet to see if they are numbered. Somewhere on this site there was instructions for how to do this carefully. I will try to find them and remove and check grips this weekend. weekend.

02-21-2003, 05:42 PM	#6
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Hay, Here are my recommendations for grip removal. First, do not remove the left grip unless absolutely necessary! Take the magazine out, remove the right grip screw, put your finger into the magazine well, and push the right-side grip plate off from the inside. It is likely, though not guaranteed, that any markings which may be on the left grip can be seen through the frame, without needing to remove it. If you do need to remove the left grip, use the same inside-out techniquie, but be -very careful- about the small part of the grip which sits behind the thumb safety lever--it is very fragile, and can break off before you know it. --Dwight

02-21-2003, 07:02 PM	#7
RockinWR User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: D/FW, Tx Posts: 279 Thanks: 109 Thanked 31 Times in 16 Posts	Hay, * Mauser (S/42) serialized the pistols in blocks of 10,000. First block: just numbers 1-9999; then, 1a-9999a; then, 1b-9999b; and so forth. Went thru the alphabet aprroximately 3.5 times from 1934-1942 starting with the "K" dates and ending with the byf'42's. Your example could be either the "b" or the "l" suffix block as the 1938 S/N range was approx. 400b-4500n. Check the "Tech.Info" section on suffix letters or post a clear picture of the frame S/N location. * Small markings on the barrel could be "8,8?" which is the bore diameter in millimeters. Usual range is 8.85 +0.01/-0.03mm = 8.82-8.86mm. If your eyes are like mine, a magnifying glass is advised. If other than above, the S/N, or the barrel to receiver stake mark, please advise with a post/pic delineating. Respectfully, WR

02-23-2003, 01:25 AM	#8
Hay User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Chris: Checked grips. There is a proof mark on each grip but no numbers.