Variations of 42 code lugers

[Jan C Still]

VARIATIONS OF 1939, 1940, AND 41 DATED 42 CODE ARMY LUGERS IN WORD AND PICTURE
(Note: not detailed in this discussion are 42 Code Lugers procured by the Luftwaffe and Navy.)

Based on information supplied by the collectors of the German Lugers, Central Powers, and Axis Pistols Forum.
Copyright 2010 by Jan C Still

Mausers 42 manufacturing code replaced the S/42 code in early 1939. Its use continued until early 1941. All 42 code Lugers bear the late Test Proof (LTP) and have a bore gauge. The magazines bodies are crimped blued sheet metal or blued extruded center pinned.

1939 42 CODE VARIATIONS
Note: extruded blued center pinned magazines are not reported matched to1939 42 Code Lugers.
Acceptance Stamp Variations
The right receiver acceptance stamps determine the 1939 42 Code markings variations. They are as follows:
SE63 SE63 LTP reported serial range 2455q-3380w (estimated production 60,925)*
*Note: the sizes of the SE63 SE63 acceptance stamps vary in the 2455q-6461q serial range. These size variations not detailed in this analysis.
SE63 SE655 LTP reported serial range 4540w-6269w (estimated production 2,000)
SE655 SE655 LTP reported serial range 7352w-5394z (estimated production 28,049)
*
Figure 1. Right side of 1939 42 Code Lugers. Top to bottom:
1939 42 Code sn 2233r; SE/63 (large) SE/63 (large) LTP; wood grips,
1939 42 Code sn 4540w; SE/63 SE/655 LTP; wood grips.
1939 42 Code sn 3568z; SE/655 SE/655 LTP; wood grips.
Changes in acceptance stamps determine 1939 42 Code Variations.

Figure 2. Tops of 1939 42 Code Lugers. Top to bottom: sn 2233r, sn 4540w, and sn 3568z

Figure 3. Barrel and frame serial numbers of 1939 42 Code Lugers. There is no letter suffix on the barrel. All have a barrel gauge: 8,83; 8,82; and 8,81.

Figure 4a. Left slant 1939 42 Code, sn 2233r. The left barrel acceptance stamp is SE63.

Figure 4b. Left side 1939 42 Code, sn 2233r with capture paper. Lt. John D. Gillis captured this pistol. He took binoculars off a dead German and another soldier removed this luger. At bivouac that night the other soldier traded the Luger for the binoculars. This is how Lt. John D. Gillis captured this pistol. The certificate for this pistol was signed over 70 years ago by Lt. John D. Gillis and his pistol is listed as Ger. Luger Ser. No. 2233 Model 1939. It was approved by Captain Infantry Lester V. Clinkenbeard of the 291Inf. Reg.
*