# INSIDE side/trigger plate

renaissance · 07-05-2001, 07:56 AM

I have noticed that there is a two digit number INSIDE the side/trigger plate of my Luger.

I have been advised that this number should be "One greater than the FIRST two digits of the full serial number"

(The LAST two digits of the SN of course appear on the OUTSIDE)

This is true on mine.

Can anyone suggest what the "Rhyme or Reason" for this might be.

Knowing the Germanic Mind for logic and order, there had to be a system here for some logical purpose.

Any ideas?

G.T. · 07-05-2001, 08:07 AM

It has a lot to do with the side plate being an extremely critical loose part....when you initially disassemble the gun, you have the barreled receiver assembly, the frame assembly, and a loose side plate.......I think they could not afford even the slightest chance of a mixup in this area....hence the extra sideplate inside numbers! till...later...G.T.

renaissance · 07-05-2001, 08:42 AM

Ok..........

But Why "ONE Greater than the first two digits of the full SN"

G.T. · 07-05-2001, 09:00 AM

John Sabato · 07-05-2001, 10:36 AM

that made the observation about the inside numbers being one digit higher than the first two digits of the serial number... as I recall there was no explanation given. Do a search on 'sideplate' and see what threads pop up...

It may just be a number coding technique designed to confuse the allies and us

-John

John Sabato · 07-05-2001, 10:37 AM

Kyrie · 07-05-2001, 02:19 PM

Johnny Peppers · 07-05-2001, 02:40 PM

The number inside the sideplate was the same as the first two digits of the serial number into late 1938 or early 1939 Mauser production, when it was changed to one digit higher.

DWM used the same number as the first digit or a three digit serial number or the first two of a four digit serial number inside their sideplate which was stamped on the lower shelf of the sideplate, but to the best of my knowledge Erfurt did not use it.

Does anyone have a two digit serial number that they will check?

The sideplate probably required more hand fitting than any other part on the Luger and possibly this prevented the sideplate from being mixed with the sideplate of another Luger only a hundred digits lower or higher.

John Sabato · 07-05-2001, 02:45 PM

Thanks Johnny P. I am glad my memory was not completely faulty, and sorry Kyrie... I just couldn't clearly remember who brought this up...

But the question remains... does anyone know why the inside number would be one digit higher than the first two digits of the serial number and not exactly the same as the first two digits??

-JS

Luke · 07-05-2001, 03:16 PM

Johnny,

Do your comments about the 1938/1939 changeover imply that the practice of stamping the first two digits inside the trigger plate goes all the way back to DWM and WW-I days?

Or was this just a WW-II Mauser convention?

Johnny Peppers · 07-05-2001, 06:25 PM

As explained, the number wasn't changed to one number higher until 1939, and this date is not written in stone but just from observation. I have never seen any type of explaination, and what I said was pure conjecture. Obviously Mauser saw some reason for changing the number, but the true reason still remains to be found.

Johnny Peppers · 07-05-2001, 06:32 PM

The second paragraph of my post did indicate that DWM used the first two digits of the serial number inside the sideplate, but instead of being stamped in the middle of the plate as with the Mauser, it was stamped on the lower shelf of the sideplate. I have a three digit DWM that has only the first number of the serial number in the sideplate, and a four digit that has the first two numbers of the sideplate stamped in the indicated position. I have not observed a two digit Luger, and ask if anyone had one they could report on.

07-05-2001, 07:56 AM	#1
renaissance User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	# INSIDE side/trigger plate I have noticed that there is a two digit number INSIDE the side/trigger plate of my Luger. I have been advised that this number should be "One greater than the FIRST two digits of the full serial number" (The LAST two digits of the SN of course appear on the OUTSIDE) This is true on mine. Can anyone suggest what the "Rhyme or Reason" for this might be. Knowing the Germanic Mind for logic and order, there had to be a system here for some logical purpose. Any ideas?

07-05-2001, 08:07 AM	#2
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,523 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,707 Times in 1,012 Posts	I Think.......... It has a lot to do with the side plate being an extremely critical loose part....when you initially disassemble the gun, you have the barreled receiver assembly, the frame assembly, and a loose side plate.......I think they could not afford even the slightest chance of a mixup in this area....hence the extra sideplate inside numbers! till...later...G.T.

07-05-2001, 08:42 AM	#3
renaissance User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I Think.......... Ok.......... But Why "ONE Greater than the first two digits of the full SN"

07-05-2001, 09:00 AM	#4
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,523 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,707 Times in 1,012 Posts	Good Question!!?.......... (EOM)

07-05-2001, 10:36 AM	#5
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	I believe that it was either Kyrie or Johnny Peppers that made the observation about the inside numbers being one digit higher than the first two digits of the serial number... as I recall there was no explanation given. Do a search on 'sideplate' and see what threads pop up... It may just be a number coding technique designed to confuse the allies and us -John

07-05-2001, 10:37 AM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	BTW, this observation is also correct on my own BYF 41 (EOM)

07-05-2001, 02:19 PM	#7
Kyrie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 212 Times in 101 Posts	Re: Not me -I believe that it was either Kyrie or Johnny Peppers (EOM)

07-05-2001, 02:40 PM	#8
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: I believe that it was either Kyrie or Johnny Peppers The number inside the sideplate was the same as the first two digits of the serial number into late 1938 or early 1939 Mauser production, when it was changed to one digit higher. DWM used the same number as the first digit or a three digit serial number or the first two of a four digit serial number inside their sideplate which was stamped on the lower shelf of the sideplate, but to the best of my knowledge Erfurt did not use it. Does anyone have a two digit serial number that they will check? The sideplate probably required more hand fitting than any other part on the Luger and possibly this prevented the sideplate from being mixed with the sideplate of another Luger only a hundred digits lower or higher.

07-05-2001, 02:45 PM	#9
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	But the ? is still why one digit higher? Thanks Johnny P. I am glad my memory was not completely faulty, and sorry Kyrie... I just couldn't clearly remember who brought this up... But the question remains... does anyone know why the inside number would be one digit higher than the first two digits of the serial number and not exactly the same as the first two digits?? -JS

07-05-2001, 03:16 PM	#10
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Re: I believe that it was either Kyrie or Johnny Peppers Johnny, Do your comments about the 1938/1939 changeover imply that the practice of stamping the first two digits inside the trigger plate goes all the way back to DWM and WW-I days? Or was this just a WW-II Mauser convention?

07-05-2001, 06:25 PM	#11
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: But the ? is still why one digit higher? As explained, the number wasn't changed to one number higher until 1939, and this date is not written in stone but just from observation. I have never seen any type of explaination, and what I said was pure conjecture. Obviously Mauser saw some reason for changing the number, but the true reason still remains to be found.

07-05-2001, 06:32 PM	#12
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: I believe that it was either Kyrie or Johnny Peppers The second paragraph of my post did indicate that DWM used the first two digits of the serial number inside the sideplate, but instead of being stamped in the middle of the plate as with the Mauser, it was stamped on the lower shelf of the sideplate. I have a three digit DWM that has only the first number of the serial number in the sideplate, and a four digit that has the first two numbers of the sideplate stamped in the indicated position. I have not observed a two digit Luger, and ask if anyone had one they could report on.