WTK: Luger mag. question

05-31-2001, 03:55 PM

I have a byf '42 Luger rig with black plastic grips (Black Widow). The mag with the gun is properly waffenampted but has no serial-numbers--and has an shiny aluminum bottom (not black plastic). Can this be considered the "correct" mag for this gun, or does the mag need to be either serial-numbered to the gun OR black plastic and un-numbered to be correct?

The books I've read don't have much info. about what sorts of mags the later-war guns had, and if they were serial numbered or not.

Thanks for helping a newbie.

Will

Frank · 05-31-2001, 04:55 PM

There are three possibilities. The correct magazine depends on the letter suffix associated with the serial number. If you look at the frame under the barrel there is the serial number and more than likely a script letter just beneath the number. This isn't always true. Sometimes there is no suffix letter. The 1942 byf started with no suffix letter and went as high as the early M-Suffix. The later M-Suffix were sold to Portugal. If you have a very early 1942, then a proper magazine could be an aluminum bottom with or without a serial number or a black plastic bottom. Those with a serial number are few and far between. All later 1942's have either a non-serialized plastic or aluminum bottom. The last ones surely have plastic bottoms. Hope this helps!!

Marvin · 06-01-2001, 05:52 AM

William,

The information Frank gave you is correct and I would like to add a little to that. The black plastic bottom magazines began to be used in 1941 Lugers, but only approx. 20% of the 1941s had the plastic bottoms. These would not be serial numbered to the pistol. If a 1941 had an aluminum bottom, they would have to have the full number and letter suffix to be correct. Also the Waffenamt should be on any aluminum bottom magazines from the Third Reich era. The plastic bottom magazines should have the waffenamt on the mag body.

An addition, welcome to the Forum and please visit as often as possible.

Marvin

Frank · 06-01-2001, 08:55 AM

Marvin, sorry to disagree with your statement regarding the Waffenamt marking on the botton of any aluminum bottom Third Reich Magazine. Some of the "extruded" type magazines issued in 1940 had acceptance marks on the bottom and some did not. These are tube marked with a 122 code. All the magazines with an fxo tube mark with an aluminum bottom didn't have acceptance marks on the bottom. These were issued in the 1941 time period. These early extruded types were probably welded, but known as extruded.

Marvin · 06-01-2001, 10:08 AM

Frank,

You are right, thanks for the correction. I had forgotten about the 122 code.

Marvin

Frank · 06-01-2001, 01:00 PM

Thor · 06-01-2001, 01:03 PM

05-31-2001, 03:55 PM	#1
William Munny Guest Posts: n/a	WTK: Luger mag. question I have a byf '42 Luger rig with black plastic grips (Black Widow). The mag with the gun is properly waffenampted but has no serial-numbers--and has an shiny aluminum bottom (not black plastic). Can this be considered the "correct" mag for this gun, or does the mag need to be either serial-numbered to the gun OR black plastic and un-numbered to be correct? The books I've read don't have much info. about what sorts of mags the later-war guns had, and if they were serial numbered or not. Thanks for helping a newbie. Will

05-31-2001, 04:55 PM	#2
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 164 Times in 87 Posts	Welcome William !!! There are three possibilities. The correct magazine depends on the letter suffix associated with the serial number. If you look at the frame under the barrel there is the serial number and more than likely a script letter just beneath the number. This isn't always true. Sometimes there is no suffix letter. The 1942 byf started with no suffix letter and went as high as the early M-Suffix. The later M-Suffix were sold to Portugal. If you have a very early 1942, then a proper magazine could be an aluminum bottom with or without a serial number or a black plastic bottom. Those with a serial number are few and far between. All later 1942's have either a non-serialized plastic or aluminum bottom. The last ones surely have plastic bottoms. Hope this helps!!

06-01-2001, 05:52 AM	#3
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: WTK: Luger mag. question William, The information Frank gave you is correct and I would like to add a little to that. The black plastic bottom magazines began to be used in 1941 Lugers, but only approx. 20% of the 1941s had the plastic bottoms. These would not be serial numbered to the pistol. If a 1941 had an aluminum bottom, they would have to have the full number and letter suffix to be correct. Also the Waffenamt should be on any aluminum bottom magazines from the Third Reich era. The plastic bottom magazines should have the waffenamt on the mag body. An addition, welcome to the Forum and please visit as often as possible. Marvin

06-01-2001, 08:55 AM	#4
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 164 Times in 87 Posts	OOPs Marvin !!! Marvin, sorry to disagree with your statement regarding the Waffenamt marking on the botton of any aluminum bottom Third Reich Magazine. Some of the "extruded" type magazines issued in 1940 had acceptance marks on the bottom and some did not. These are tube marked with a 122 code. All the magazines with an fxo tube mark with an aluminum bottom didn't have acceptance marks on the bottom. These were issued in the 1941 time period. These early extruded types were probably welded, but known as extruded.

06-01-2001, 10:08 AM	#5
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: OOPs Marvin !!! Frank, You are right, thanks for the correction. I had forgotten about the 122 code. Marvin

06-01-2001, 01:00 PM	#6
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 164 Times in 87 Posts	I'm always here for you, Marvin !! (EOM)

06-01-2001, 01:03 PM	#7
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Re: Oh.......it's getting deep Frank!!! That's Barbara Striesand EOM (EOM)