1939 Mauser Luger 42 code

CopperK9 · 04-04-2020, 07:22 PM

Bought my first Luger the other day, unfortunately we have a 7 day wait in my state for handguns so don't get to pick it up til next week.
Looking for a little more information and approximate value on it. Year 1939 with the Mauser code of 42, from what I could see all the parts had matching serial number of "04" matching the 4 digit serial number. 3 eagle stamps by the barrel. Came with a brown holster and two magazines, one looks original, other is aftermarket. Some of the bluing is worn off at wear points on the side but otherwise looks to be in good condition. Paid $1200. Seemed to be a decent price from what I've seen online but I'm no expert. Wasn't looking for anything perfect, just a decent gun that can be shot occasionally.
What does the brown leather mean? I'm used to seeing all the WW2 German gear in black only.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get to pick it up. Any advice or info is much appreciated, thanks!

DavidJayUden · 04-05-2020, 10:08 AM

Sounds like you done well, but photos are where we start.
Brown vs. black means nothing.
Let's see those photos once the gun is landed. Practice your photo skills in the mean time.
dju

Major Tom · 04-05-2020, 03:42 PM

I had the same Mauser luger as yours. Mine had been expertly reblued and bore was frosted. It was very accurate tho and very attractive. I sild it with 2 spare non original magazines, a 1939 holster and a special made display box featuring inlays (German iron cross 1939) on lid plus a swastica auto pendant flag along with a genuine 1939 German coin and a brass tag stamped with year, code 42 and Mauser. All numbers matched too. I got $1700 for it.
I think you did very well price wise.

rhuff · 04-05-2020, 04:22 PM

Congrats on your first Luger.....it likely won't be your last. Since you are new to this "game", there are many numbers that you can not see until you break the gun down and examine it. The Stickys at the top are filled with tons of information.....enjoy.

mrerick · 04-06-2020, 11:52 AM

Hi Lindsey, and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your first Luger.

Sounds like you may have found a collectible Luger at an excellent price. Good pictures will help members here confirm that. If not, you have one of the best Lugers for shooting. I have an all matching 1937 Mauser made Luger with some finish problems on the receiver that I use. A matching Mauser made Luger should have excellent factory fit trigger and components if it hasn't been messed with.

While you're waiting, you may like a copy of our forum's FAQ PDF document. Just follow the FAQ link at the top of every forum page.

CopperK9 · 04-06-2020, 10:20 PM

Thanks for all the replies, I will make sure to post pics as soon as I pick it up.

ithacaartist · 04-07-2020, 03:28 AM

Congratulations and welcome to the forum...and the mania.

Once the pulse is quickened by a Luger, it's usually too late.

CopperK9 · 04-10-2020, 11:47 AM

Just picked it up, everything appears matching sn, holster is dated 1940. Came with extra mag with is obviously aftermarket and I think the take down took is too, looks used but no markings. The magazine looks very old but can only see fxo on it and no other markings though it appears to match the gun as far as wear/age. The gun is in good working shape but the bluing is pretty worn. Rifling looks good. Grips are worn but no chips, can’t see sn but they match the rest of the gun in wear so also guessing they are original. Now to figure out how to post pics...

DavidJayUden · 04-10-2020, 12:22 PM

Take your time, it's already 80 years old. YouTube can be of assistance with the disassembly process if help is needed. And the FXO magazine is period correct Nazi stuff.
dju

CopperK9 · 04-10-2020, 02:23 PM

So I field stripped it and am appalled by how dirty the thing is inside! Every piece of the gun is matching, firing pin, trigger, barrel, action parts. The magazine is missing the 4 numbers on the bottom but matches the rest of the gun as far as wear and is marked FXO with eagle stamp 3 and 37. The grips are well worn as well, no cracks but all I can find on them is "S". The action passes the tuning fork test. Luckily there was enough grease/oil left in it to prevent rust or corrosion but this looks like it has not been cleaned in a very, very long time. Can I clean this gun like any other gun with gun oil?

rhuff · 04-10-2020, 04:52 PM

Yes.....You can use any standard gun cleaner and oil for your new Luger. I would NOT oil the grips though, as that can cause a problem. You can clean the grips with a soft toothbrush and a bit of time. We have stickys on cleaning the grips.......many ways to do it.

HerrKaiser · 04-10-2020, 04:54 PM

"Can I clean this gun like any other gun with gun oil?"

Pretty much, I do not think anyone on here has had experiences otherwise.

I personally use Hoppes number 9 to get any grime/dirt/fouling out of my shooters, and use RemOil for general oiling/lubrication/preventive maintenance on all of them. I have never had an issue with them, just do not brush the finish too hard or with anything too abrasive that will mar it.

CopperK9 · 04-10-2020, 08:14 PM

Doubs · 04-10-2020, 08:31 PM

While the finish is a bit rough, it looks to be an honest Mauser Luger. It's a plus that all parts match and for your first Luger, I think you did well.

And yes, clean it as you would any other pistol. A used toothbrush will help get into those areas that are difficult.

If you plan to shoot it, I suggest that you buy a MecGar magazine. They are excellent quality and help preserve your original mag. That "take down tool" is also used to load the magazines and save your thumb.

CopperK9 · 04-10-2020, 08:48 PM

Thanks for the info. It did come with an aftermarket magazine which I'll use when I shoot it.

I can't find the "04" serial number on the takedown tool, other magazine, grips, or holster but all definitely match the amount of wear that the gun has so would appear original. Is this possible they are original or definitely replacements if not serial numbered?

There are no import marks on it so does that mean it was brough back during WW2?

04-04-2020, 07:22 PM	#1
CopperK9 User Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	1939 Mauser Luger 42 code Bought my first Luger the other day, unfortunately we have a 7 day wait in my state for handguns so don't get to pick it up til next week. Looking for a little more information and approximate value on it. Year 1939 with the Mauser code of 42, from what I could see all the parts had matching serial number of "04" matching the 4 digit serial number. 3 eagle stamps by the barrel. Came with a brown holster and two magazines, one looks original, other is aftermarket. Some of the bluing is worn off at wear points on the side but otherwise looks to be in good condition. Paid $1200. Seemed to be a decent price from what I've seen online but I'm no expert. Wasn't looking for anything perfect, just a decent gun that can be shot occasionally. What does the brown leather mean? I'm used to seeing all the WW2 German gear in black only. I'll post pictures as soon as I get to pick it up. Any advice or info is much appreciated, thanks!

04-05-2020, 03:42 PM	#3
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 227 Times in 124 Posts	I had the same Mauser luger as yours. Mine had been expertly reblued and bore was frosted. It was very accurate tho and very attractive. I sild it with 2 spare non original magazines, a 1939 holster and a special made display box featuring inlays (German iron cross 1939) on lid plus a swastica auto pendant flag along with a genuine 1939 German coin and a brass tag stamped with year, code 42 and Mauser. All numbers matched too. I got $1700 for it. I think you did very well price wise. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

04-05-2020, 04:22 PM	#4
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	Congrats on your first Luger.....it likely won't be your last. Since you are new to this "game", there are many numbers that you can not see until you break the gun down and examine it. The Stickys at the top are filled with tons of information.....enjoy. __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

04-06-2020, 11:52 AM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Hi Lindsey, and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your first Luger. Sounds like you may have found a collectible Luger at an excellent price. Good pictures will help members here confirm that. If not, you have one of the best Lugers for shooting. I have an all matching 1937 Mauser made Luger with some finish problems on the receiver that I use. A matching Mauser made Luger should have excellent factory fit trigger and components if it hasn't been messed with. While you're waiting, you may like a copy of our forum's FAQ PDF document. Just follow the FAQ link at the top of every forum page. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

04-07-2020, 03:28 AM	#7
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,346 Thanks: 7,280 Thanked 2,578 Times in 1,365 Posts	Congratulations and welcome to the forum...and the mania. Once the pulse is quickened by a Luger, it's usually too late. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

04-05-2020, 10:08 AM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Sounds like you done well, but photos are where we start. Brown vs. black means nothing. Let's see those photos once the gun is landed. Practice your photo skills in the mean time. dju

04-06-2020, 10:20 PM	#6
CopperK9 User Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for all the replies, I will make sure to post pics as soon as I pick it up.

04-10-2020, 11:47 AM	#8
CopperK9 User Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Just picked it up, everything appears matching sn, holster is dated 1940. Came with extra mag with is obviously aftermarket and I think the take down took is too, looks used but no markings. The magazine looks very old but can only see fxo on it and no other markings though it appears to match the gun as far as wear/age. The gun is in good working shape but the bluing is pretty worn. Rifling looks good. Grips are worn but no chips, can’t see sn but they match the rest of the gun in wear so also guessing they are original. Now to figure out how to post pics...

04-10-2020, 12:22 PM	#9
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Take your time, it's already 80 years old. YouTube can be of assistance with the disassembly process if help is needed. And the FXO magazine is period correct Nazi stuff. dju

04-10-2020, 02:23 PM	#10
CopperK9 User Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	So I field stripped it and am appalled by how dirty the thing is inside! Every piece of the gun is matching, firing pin, trigger, barrel, action parts. The magazine is missing the 4 numbers on the bottom but matches the rest of the gun as far as wear and is marked FXO with eagle stamp 3 and 37. The grips are well worn as well, no cracks but all I can find on them is "S". The action passes the tuning fork test. Luckily there was enough grease/oil left in it to prevent rust or corrosion but this looks like it has not been cleaned in a very, very long time. Can I clean this gun like any other gun with gun oil?

04-10-2020, 04:52 PM	#11
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	Yes.....You can use any standard gun cleaner and oil for your new Luger. I would NOT oil the grips though, as that can cause a problem. You can clean the grips with a soft toothbrush and a bit of time. We have stickys on cleaning the grips.......many ways to do it. __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

04-10-2020, 04:54 PM	#12
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 848 Thanks: 784 Thanked 861 Times in 411 Posts	"Can I clean this gun like any other gun with gun oil?" Pretty much, I do not think anyone on here has had experiences otherwise. I personally use Hoppes number 9 to get any grime/dirt/fouling out of my shooters, and use RemOil for general oiling/lubrication/preventive maintenance on all of them. I have never had an issue with them, just do not brush the finish too hard or with anything too abrasive that will mar it. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

04-10-2020, 08:14 PM	#13
CopperK9 User Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts

04-10-2020, 08:31 PM	#14
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,698 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,686 Times in 554 Posts	While the finish is a bit rough, it looks to be an honest Mauser Luger. It's a plus that all parts match and for your first Luger, I think you did well. And yes, clean it as you would any other pistol. A used toothbrush will help get into those areas that are difficult. If you plan to shoot it, I suggest that you buy a MecGar magazine. They are excellent quality and help preserve your original mag. That "take down tool" is also used to load the magazines and save your thumb.

04-10-2020, 08:48 PM	#15
CopperK9 User Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for the info. It did come with an aftermarket magazine which I'll use when I shoot it. I can't find the "04" serial number on the takedown tool, other magazine, grips, or holster but all definitely match the amount of wear that the gun has so would appear original. Is this possible they are original or definitely replacements if not serial numbered? There are no import marks on it so does that mean it was brough back during WW2?