Visuals provided; id skills needed

Ram · 01-04-2009, 04:45 AM

Hello fellow enthusiats..I just purchased my first German Luger and am trying to search out some information pertaining to this magnificently crafted piece of steel..I have enclosed pics of all markings on the pistol so any feedback would be muchly appreciated..Happy N'Year!

jamese · 01-04-2009, 07:46 AM

Ram,
what you have is a 1938 S/42 German Military Mauser. From the stamping on the barrel, and left side, its appears that at sometime in its history went through the UK. Those stamping look like British Proof marks.( its hard to tell from the photos)

The grips have been altered, by someone who inlayed the Nazis symbol into the wood and have thus ruined the grips.

I would suggest you get a replacement set from Hugh or Luger Doc otherwise it looks like a nice piece with some history behind it.

Jim

policeluger · 01-04-2009, 10:38 AM

Is the inlay from a hitler youth knife....anybody, thanks

Ron Wood · 01-04-2009, 11:47 AM

Howard,
You got it...it is a HJ knife inlay.

alanint · 01-04-2009, 12:14 PM

Actually, The Hitler youth also issued this simbol as a pin, which had a pin and clasp on the back. When you find these types of inlays, they are usually made from the lapel pins and not gouged out of a Hitler youth knife's grips.

Ram · 01-04-2009, 06:57 PM

Wow you guys are super..thank you.

Jim..I was saddened to know that the grips had been ruined by the inlay but I do appreciate the referrels for repair..so my next ? is why would the British have stamped their proof marks on the pistol..wouldn't the german ones do..I would like to upload a better closeup of the markings but not sure how..

policeluger, Ron, alanint..thanks for the Hitler Jugend tip..after researching I'm sort of torn between the inlay being a gilt edged HJ leaders cap insignia or an HJ membership pin..what's your thoughts..

Ram

jamese · 01-06-2009, 08:20 AM

Ram,
My understanding of British law at the time would have required any gun brought into the country would require proof testing.

Most likely scenario is a British or American solder would have obtained the the weapon while in the European theater through capture on the battle field or trade with another solder and brought the weapon back to England

Jim

alanint · 01-06-2009, 09:48 AM

Ram wrote;
policeluger, Ron, alanint..thanks for the Hitler Jugend tip..after researching I'm sort of torn between the inlay being a gilt edged HJ leaders cap insignia or an HJ membership pin..what's your thoughts..

It is hard to tell from your photograph. The pins were nickeled over brass and it would appear that you have a nickeled pin which has worn down to the brass, (most evident in the Swastika aerea) and not a leader's gilt example.
Unfortunately the person who altered these grips ruined the value of both the grips and the pin in the process.
Original HJ pins can still be had today for under $30 in good condition. A little more for a gilt example

01-04-2009, 04:45 AM	#1
Ram New User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Visuals provided; id skills needed Hello fellow enthusiats..I just purchased my first German Luger and am trying to search out some information pertaining to this magnificently crafted piece of steel..I have enclosed pics of all markings on the pistol so any feedback would be muchly appreciated..Happy N'Year! Attached Thumbnails

01-04-2009, 07:46 AM	#2
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 789 Thanks: 0 Thanked 84 Times in 34 Posts	Ram, what you have is a 1938 S/42 German Military Mauser. From the stamping on the barrel, and left side, its appears that at sometime in its history went through the UK. Those stamping look like British Proof marks.( its hard to tell from the photos) The grips have been altered, by someone who inlayed the Nazis symbol into the wood and have thus ruined the grips. I would suggest you get a replacement set from Hugh or Luger Doc otherwise it looks like a nice piece with some history behind it. Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

01-04-2009, 11:47 AM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	Howard, You got it...it is a HJ knife inlay. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

01-06-2009, 08:20 AM	#7
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 789 Thanks: 0 Thanked 84 Times in 34 Posts	Ram, My understanding of British law at the time would have required any gun brought into the country would require proof testing. Most likely scenario is a British or American solder would have obtained the the weapon while in the European theater through capture on the battle field or trade with another solder and brought the weapon back to England Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

01-04-2009, 10:38 AM	#3
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Is the inlay from a hitler youth knife....anybody, thanks

01-04-2009, 12:14 PM	#5
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Actually, The Hitler youth also issued this simbol as a pin, which had a pin and clasp on the back. When you find these types of inlays, they are usually made from the lapel pins and not gouged out of a Hitler youth knife's grips.

01-04-2009, 06:57 PM	#6
Ram New User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow you guys are super..thank you. Jim..I was saddened to know that the grips had been ruined by the inlay but I do appreciate the referrels for repair..so my next ? is why would the British have stamped their proof marks on the pistol..wouldn't the german ones do..I would like to upload a better closeup of the markings but not sure how.. policeluger, Ron, alanint..thanks for the Hitler Jugend tip..after researching I'm sort of torn between the inlay being a gilt edged HJ leaders cap insignia or an HJ membership pin..what's your thoughts.. Ram

01-06-2009, 09:48 AM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Ram wrote; policeluger, Ron, alanint..thanks for the Hitler Jugend tip..after researching I'm sort of torn between the inlay being a gilt edged HJ leaders cap insignia or an HJ membership pin..what's your thoughts.. It is hard to tell from your photograph. The pins were nickeled over brass and it would appear that you have a nickeled pin which has worn down to the brass, (most evident in the Swastika aerea) and not a leader's gilt example. Unfortunately the person who altered these grips ruined the value of both the grips and the pin in the process. Original HJ pins can still be had today for under $30 in good condition. A little more for a gilt example