My First Luger

Home Depot George · 12-31-2010, 09:05 PM

I bought this the other day from my LGS for 850.00 and was wondering if I could get some help with the markings and holster. As far as I can tell from the info on this site it is a 1938 S/42 serial# is 1752 and all parts match except for the mag and the grips say made in Italy. I think it's been refinished since the blueing rivals that of my Colt 1911 and Dan Wesson revolver any help is greatly appreciated. Some pics

Edward Tinker · 12-31-2010, 09:59 PM

i'd like to see some clear, further away pictures.

The color does not look right.

It is a mauser made (see S/42 code) made in 1938, the acceptance and markings on the right are the acceptance markings and final proof by the factory.

Ed

Home Depot George · 12-31-2010, 10:59 PM

Here's some more pics,I'm not much of a photographer but it loks like they came out decent

Jason L · 01-01-2011, 03:15 AM

Hi,
Repro holster

Home Depot George · 01-01-2011, 04:56 PM

Whats the giveaway on the holster.

alanint · 01-01-2011, 06:03 PM

Hi

Visible in the three photos;

- The quality of the stitching
- The head of the pull strap
- Raw leather showing in the stamp impresssions. These would have darkened over time on even the mintiest original
- The stamps have squared off haloes from the stamp base itself surrounding them. Original stamps did not have block bases
- No maker's code

There are probably more details such as no heel sown into the rear two halves of the holster but these details are not visible in the photos provided.

aptech77 · 01-01-2011, 06:14 PM

Nice shooter though.

Karl · 01-01-2011, 06:17 PM

George,

Your assumption about this gun being refinished is correct. Ordinarily I am reluctant to make such a judgment based on internet photos but in this case it is obvious. Moreover, parts of the gun appear to have been aggressively sanded. The finishing marks on the sides of the Luger receiver should run parallel to its length, not across the length, and you will notice that they run at different angles on opposite sides of the receiver. Same for the marks across the bolt instead of along its length. In addition the marks look much too course.

Enjoy this Luger as a nice shooter. Factoring in the repro holster and the nice looking grips I would say that the price you paid was about right. The magazine may be worth a bit as well - an FXO?
KFS

mrerick · 01-01-2011, 08:32 PM

Hi George,

Welcome to the forum.

If you look on the front of the frame, just above the trigger guard, you should find a script letter under "1752". The letter is part of the serial number, and is a suffix, i.e. "1752x"

Marc

Home Depot George · 01-01-2011, 09:15 PM

the number looks like a fancy x or a but I'll have to get the magnifying glass out again. I'm real happy with it so far. Now my p-38 has company in the safe.

12-31-2010, 09:05 PM	#1
Home Depot George User Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My First Luger I bought this the other day from my LGS for 850.00 and was wondering if I could get some help with the markings and holster. As far as I can tell from the info on this site it is a 1938 S/42 serial# is 1752 and all parts match except for the mag and the grips say made in Italy. I think it's been refinished since the blueing rivals that of my Colt 1911 and Dan Wesson revolver any help is greatly appreciated. Some pics

12-31-2010, 09:59 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,995 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	i'd like to see some clear, further away pictures. The color does not look right. It is a mauser made (see S/42 code) made in 1938, the acceptance and markings on the right are the acceptance markings and final proof by the factory. 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

01-01-2011, 08:32 PM	#9
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,901 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Hi George, Welcome to the forum. If you look on the front of the frame, just above the trigger guard, you should find a script letter under "1752". The letter is part of the serial number, and is a suffix, i.e. "1752x" Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-31-2010, 10:59 PM	#3
Home Depot George User Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here's some more pics,I'm not much of a photographer but it loks like they came out decent

01-01-2011, 03:15 AM	#4
Jason L User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CT. USA Posts: 66 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Hi, Repro holster

01-01-2011, 04:56 PM	#5
Home Depot George User Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Whats the giveaway on the holster.

01-01-2011, 06:03 PM	#6
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Hi Visible in the three photos; - The quality of the stitching - The head of the pull strap - Raw leather showing in the stamp impresssions. These would have darkened over time on even the mintiest original - The stamps have squared off haloes from the stamp base itself surrounding them. Original stamps did not have block bases - No maker's code There are probably more details such as no heel sown into the rear two halves of the holster but these details are not visible in the photos provided.

01-01-2011, 06:14 PM	#7
aptech77 User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 85 Thanks: 10 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Nice shooter though.

01-01-2011, 06:17 PM	#8
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 515 Thanks: 0 Thanked 253 Times in 112 Posts	George, Your assumption about this gun being refinished is correct. Ordinarily I am reluctant to make such a judgment based on internet photos but in this case it is obvious. Moreover, parts of the gun appear to have been aggressively sanded. The finishing marks on the sides of the Luger receiver should run parallel to its length, not across the length, and you will notice that they run at different angles on opposite sides of the receiver. Same for the marks across the bolt instead of along its length. In addition the marks look much too course. Enjoy this Luger as a nice shooter. Factoring in the repro holster and the nice looking grips I would say that the price you paid was about right. The magazine may be worth a bit as well - an FXO? KFS

01-01-2011, 09:15 PM	#10
Home Depot George User Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	the number looks like a fancy x or a but I'll have to get the magnifying glass out again. I'm real happy with it so far. Now my p-38 has company in the safe.