New Luger owner

WBrownejr · 04-03-2004, 09:42 AM

Hi,

My name is Bill Browne and my Dad sent me his WWII luger. It is a 1939 with wood grips. It seems to be be in good shape with no visable rust. There are some wear marks ( if I was 65 years old I would have a few marks too). All the numbers match with 641 on the barrel and then 41 on the rest of the parts. On the clip is 641 and three symbols. one is a + sign. There are also three symbols on teh right side of the receiver that are difficult to read but I am sure if I knew what they were then it would be different.

My questions are:
1). Can I fire this gun (should I?)
2). Is it better to leave it as is or try to refinish it. Looks good now but I am not a knowledgeable gun collector.
3). the holster is also dated 1939 but smells musty. Should I try to clean it or add oil to the leather.

Thanks for your help. I learned a lot from watching the animated movement on the home page.

Best regards,

Bill <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

Frank · 04-03-2004, 10:16 AM

Hi Bill, welcome to the Luger Forum!!! From your description, I would guess your pistol could be considered a collectable Luger. In that case, I wouldn't recommend either shooting or refinishing it.

There were two major variations made in 1939. One has a "S/42" on the toggle top, the other just "42". The latter is the more common. There should be a script letter under the numbers on the front of the frame just below the barrel. This letter will also provide some information.

The number on the magazine matches the number on the pistol. The "+" sign indicates the magazine was a spare. The primary magazine is marked the same without the "+" sign. The other two markings are the script letter (which should be the same as the letter on the frame) and the acceptance mark of the German Inspector (which is likely the same as one of the marks on the right side of the Luger's receiver.

Some of the internal parts of the pistol should also be marked "41". If all these parts are correct, you have a real winner!!

Good Luck

WBrownejr · 04-03-2004, 04:29 PM

Hi Frank,

The nubmer S/42 is on teh toggle. Also the toggle knob is smooth and dished in the center.

There is a script letter under the 641 on the frame. Is is also the same script on the clip under the number 641. It looks like and old english "a" or "q" with a leading line at teh start of the letter. The acceptance mark is three sets of parallel lines divided by a vertical line with the number 63 beneath it. Looks like there are two sets of the this number on the right side of the receiver although one is larger than the other.

All the external parts have number 451 including the safety stop, the disassembly button above the trigger and two parts of the toggle. I can tell about internal parts.

I appreciate your help. I have learned alot already and I will not fire or restore the gun.

Can you recommend a gun shop in Toledo or Detroit that may be able to tell me more about this gun?

Thanks again,

Bill

Doubs · 04-03-2004, 05:09 PM

Bill, if you can take and post close-up, sharp pictures of your pistol and it's markings, the members here will tell you everything there is to know about your Luger. I seriously doubt that you'll find anyone in your local gun shops who could tell you more. The members here really know their Lugers.

Frank · 04-03-2004, 05:24 PM

Hi again Bill! So far so good. We already know the "S/42" production was about 38,000 give or take a few. The production of the "42" code was about 86,000. So your Luger is a bit more valuable. Also we know the serial number didn't begin until the N-Block, so by elimination your pistol is a Q-Block which was near the end of the "S/42" production and the beginning of the "42" production. Sounds like you are making some good progress.

04-03-2004, 09:42 AM	#1
WBrownejr New User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: holland Ohio Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Luger owner Hi, My name is Bill Browne and my Dad sent me his WWII luger. It is a 1939 with wood grips. It seems to be be in good shape with no visable rust. There are some wear marks ( if I was 65 years old I would have a few marks too). All the numbers match with 641 on the barrel and then 41 on the rest of the parts. On the clip is 641 and three symbols. one is a + sign. There are also three symbols on teh right side of the receiver that are difficult to read but I am sure if I knew what they were then it would be different. My questions are: 1). Can I fire this gun (should I?) 2). Is it better to leave it as is or try to refinish it. Looks good now but I am not a knowledgeable gun collector. 3). the holster is also dated 1939 but smells musty. Should I try to clean it or add oil to the leather. Thanks for your help. I learned a lot from watching the animated movement on the home page. Best regards, Bill <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

04-03-2004, 10:16 AM	#2
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Hi Bill, welcome to the Luger Forum!!! From your description, I would guess your pistol could be considered a collectable Luger. In that case, I wouldn't recommend either shooting or refinishing it. There were two major variations made in 1939. One has a "S/42" on the toggle top, the other just "42". The latter is the more common. There should be a script letter under the numbers on the front of the frame just below the barrel. This letter will also provide some information. The number on the magazine matches the number on the pistol. The "+" sign indicates the magazine was a spare. The primary magazine is marked the same without the "+" sign. The other two markings are the script letter (which should be the same as the letter on the frame) and the acceptance mark of the German Inspector (which is likely the same as one of the marks on the right side of the Luger's receiver. Some of the internal parts of the pistol should also be marked "41". If all these parts are correct, you have a real winner!! Good Luck

04-03-2004, 04:29 PM	#3
WBrownejr New User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: holland Ohio Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Frank, The nubmer S/42 is on teh toggle. Also the toggle knob is smooth and dished in the center. There is a script letter under the 641 on the frame. Is is also the same script on the clip under the number 641. It looks like and old english "a" or "q" with a leading line at teh start of the letter. The acceptance mark is three sets of parallel lines divided by a vertical line with the number 63 beneath it. Looks like there are two sets of the this number on the right side of the receiver although one is larger than the other. All the external parts have number 451 including the safety stop, the disassembly button above the trigger and two parts of the toggle. I can tell about internal parts. I appreciate your help. I have learned alot already and I will not fire or restore the gun. Can you recommend a gun shop in Toledo or Detroit that may be able to tell me more about this gun? Thanks again, Bill

04-03-2004, 05:09 PM	#4
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	Bill, if you can take and post close-up, sharp pictures of your pistol and it's markings, the members here will tell you everything there is to know about your Luger. I seriously doubt that you'll find anyone in your local gun shops who could tell you more. The members here really know their Lugers.

04-03-2004, 05:24 PM	#5
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Hi again Bill! So far so good. We already know the "S/42" production was about 38,000 give or take a few. The production of the "42" code was about 86,000. So your Luger is a bit more valuable. Also we know the serial number didn't begin until the N-Block, so by elimination your pistol is a Q-Block which was near the end of the "S/42" production and the beginning of the "42" production. Sounds like you are making some good progress.