My First: 1939 Army S/42 5555p

Victor R. · 08-15-2013, 01:58 PM

Greetings, all.

I've already posted this on the luger board at Gunboards, and it seems there is significant cross-membership, so apologies if this is a repeat for most of you.

As noted, I've acquired my first, an 1939 Army S/42, sn 5555p, all matching save the mags (two modern repros came with it).

I have a follow-up question posted on the other board to Frank about the acceptance marks - to my eye it appears I have a 63M and a 63S, but I'll leave the final determination to more trained eyes.

What I initially thought to possibly be holster wear now looks to me to be the result of overzealous cleaning with naval jelly - I ended up with a very similar result on a modern repro blued gauntlet that had gotten rust spots after a ceiling collapse last year - but would appreciate opinions. The worst affected areas are the forward top and right side of the receiver, with some possibly on the barrel, but that may very well be holster wear.

I'll be posting in both board's "WTB" area, but, if anyone can point me to an appropriate tool, period holster and (fingers and other things crossed) magazines, that would be spectacular! Currently bidding on a 1939 holster on E-bay, but having little luck. And, since I'm new to this, what are reasonable prices for such items? It appears an "honestly worn but intact" 1939 military holster is generally in the $300+ range, but, like I said, I'm new to this.

And, as I noted on the other board, I do kind of dig that the sn is all "5"s. I'm a numbers geek - shoot me!

Victor R. · 08-15-2013, 02:03 PM

Couldn't attach all of the pictures to the original post - here are the rest. The wear/cleaning discoloration photos are in this post.

alanint · 08-15-2013, 02:05 PM

I would agree that someone damaged this gun's finish with Naval Jelly or other compound.

DavidJayUden · 08-15-2013, 02:47 PM

I hearby dub thee: "Old Spot".
dju

rhuff · 08-15-2013, 04:49 PM

My first impression of the finish condition was that someone used a motorized wire brush(bench grinder with a steel brush) to remove the rust, and took the finish with it. It is a shame, as there are obviously better methods for rust treatment.

saab-bob · 08-15-2013, 07:46 PM

Looks like a great candidate for a nice re-blue by our very own Thor!
Bob

08-15-2013, 01:58 PM	#1
Victor R. User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Spring, Texas Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My First: 1939 Army S/42 5555p Greetings, all. I've already posted this on the luger board at Gunboards, and it seems there is significant cross-membership, so apologies if this is a repeat for most of you. As noted, I've acquired my first, an 1939 Army S/42, sn 5555p, all matching save the mags (two modern repros came with it). I have a follow-up question posted on the other board to Frank about the acceptance marks - to my eye it appears I have a 63M and a 63S, but I'll leave the final determination to more trained eyes. What I initially thought to possibly be holster wear now looks to me to be the result of overzealous cleaning with naval jelly - I ended up with a very similar result on a modern repro blued gauntlet that had gotten rust spots after a ceiling collapse last year - but would appreciate opinions. The worst affected areas are the forward top and right side of the receiver, with some possibly on the barrel, but that may very well be holster wear. I'll be posting in both board's "WTB" area, but, if anyone can point me to an appropriate tool, period holster and (fingers and other things crossed) magazines, that would be spectacular! Currently bidding on a 1939 holster on E-bay, but having little luck. And, since I'm new to this, what are reasonable prices for such items? It appears an "honestly worn but intact" 1939 military holster is generally in the $300+ range, but, like I said, I'm new to this. And, as I noted on the other board, I do kind of dig that the sn is all "5"s. I'm a numbers geek - shoot me! Attached Thumbnails

08-15-2013, 02:03 PM	#2
Victor R. User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Spring, Texas Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Additional pictures Couldn't attach all of the pictures to the original post - here are the rest. The wear/cleaning discoloration photos are in this post. Attached Thumbnails

08-15-2013, 07:46 PM	#6
saab-bob User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 459 Thanks: 774 Thanked 143 Times in 87 Posts	Looks like a great candidate for a nice re-blue by our very own Thor! Bob __________________ "I think,therefore I own guns"

08-15-2013, 02:05 PM	#3
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I would agree that someone damaged this gun's finish with Naval Jelly or other compound.

08-15-2013, 02:47 PM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I hearby dub thee: "Old Spot". dju

08-15-2013, 04:49 PM	#5
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 2,692 Thanked 959 Times in 705 Posts	My first impression of the finish condition was that someone used a motorized wire brush(bench grinder with a steel brush) to remove the rust, and took the finish with it. It is a shame, as there are obviously better methods for rust treatment.