BYF 42 Questions

[300zero]

I am getting ready to purchase my first luger and im looking at BYF 42. I don't know to much about the weapon and looking for a little advice.

[300zero]

[300zero]

IMG]http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy142/300zero/IMG_1794.jpg[/IMG]




Here are some more pics. I do have some questions. Would like to get some indight first.

[DavidJayUden]

Am I seeing 3 different numbers (32, 33, 55 and 22)?
dju

[Edward Tinker]

same thing I am seeing. Unless you are getting it for a shooter price, its mismatched.

[wlyon]

Definately not a collector piece. Probably make a good shooter if the price is right. It has parts from several lugers. Bill

[DavidJayUden]

300:
So we have established that this one falls into the shooter realm. Although you didn't ask, if you can get it for $700 or less you may wish to consider it if it is a shooter that you want. ANd since it is a shooter will the seller let you fire it first? No need to take on a project unless the price is really attractive.
Welcome to the group and I hope we didn't rain on your parade.
Good luck.
dju

[alvin]

Test firing? No way. I have never seen people allowing test firing on C&R. No need to test fire anyway -- If it has some issues, fixing the issues is fun by itself.

[300zero]

All the numbers are matching, with the exception of the the trigger, and that is only one digit off. I have more pics that have a closer look. I have inspected the pistol closely and the trigger is the only mismatched number. The slide has a copper color to it and was told that that is correct. No 55 or 22.

[DavidJayUden]

"Test firing? No way. I have never seen people allowing test firing on C&R. No need to test fire anyway -- If it has some issues, fixing the issues is fun by itself. "

I agree that fixing issues can be a labor of love, however it is less lovely if you paid a certain price expecting no issues.

Regarding the numbers, remember that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Only one number off=mismatched, and should be priced accordingly. Maybe not like a complete mismatch but still reduced. At least if my money is on the table.
And I could swear that I'm seeing 33, 32 and 22, but I may be halucinating again. Does anyone else hear those voices...?
dju

[300zero]

No 22 or 55. period. I have been told by many collectors as well as gun shops that deal with these types of weapons that are later models it isn't uncommon to see numbers off by one.

[DavidJayUden]

I will not debate it further but it seems to me that those persons are probably ones with mismatched guns for sale.
Regardless, good luck!
dju

[wlyon]

Amen ! Bill

[Jason L]

300zero,
This is my area of collecting.....it looks like a decent gun, but you will be defending that trigger forever. All my byf guns are all matching , the trigger would turn me away on this one. It may not bother you now, but if you become more advanced it will.
There was a byf 41 for sale really nice with 2 matching # aluminum base mags and a nice holster.....a collectors dream.The toggle was off by one number and the seller called it a " factory mis- match". But how can you prove that? You should not have to defend your collectables. Buy the gun not the story.
Good Luck,
Jason
PS. You may want to take some pics of the insides of the grips, they look ok, but there are many repros.

[dmilleri]

Please, by all means, post additional pictures! I would listen to the experts on this forum (they have 100s of years of accumulated knowledge on Lugers). Their words can save you dollars later!

[Norme]

Hi, The reddish receiver is not uncommon in late production Mausers. However, listen to the guys, that mismatched trigger will haunt you forever. Regards

[alvin]

Originally Posted by 300zero

No 22 or 55. period. I have been told by many collectors as well as gun shops that deal with these types of weapons that are later models it isn't uncommon to see numbers off by one.

I believe people got confused on Luger and P38. I heard that it's not uncommon to see mismatched P38 made in 1945 (it's a feature, not a defect from P38 collectible point of view.... although I have not figured out how do collectors know that's 'legitimate' factory mismatch , probably correlated with s/n range, but that's off topic). German was losing the war and the Reich was about to collapse, and there were some unusual desperate practice. Make sense.

For Luger, it's a different story. Bulk making stopped in 1942 (?). The tide did not turn until 1943. In 1942, The Third Reich was at its apex. Making mismatched guns, and not uncommon? no, highly unlikely.

[300zero]

Originally Posted by Jason L

300zero,
This is my area of collecting.....it looks like a decent gun, but you will be defending that trigger forever. All my byf guns are all matching , the trigger would turn me away on this one. It may not bother you now, but if you become more advanced it will.
There was a byf 41 for sale really nice with 2 matching # aluminum base mags and a nice holster.....a collectors dream.The toggle was off by one number and the seller called it a " factory mis- match". But how can you prove that? You should not have to defend your collectables. Buy the gun not the story.
Good Luck,
Jason
PS. You may want to take some pics of the insides of the grips, they look ok, but there are many repros.

Thanks very helpful!! I will check that!

[300zero]

Originally Posted by alvin

I believe people got confused on Luger and P38. I heard that it's not uncommon to see mismatched P38 made in 1945 (it's a feature, not a defect from P38 collectible point of view.... although I have not figured out how do collectors know that's 'legitimate' factory mismatch ). German was losing the war and the Reich was about to collapse, and there were some unusual desperate practice. Make sense.

For Luger, it's a different story. Bulk making stopped in 1942 (?). The tide did not turn until 1943. In 1942, The Third Reich was at its apex. Making mismatched guns, and not uncommon? no, highly unlikely.

Thank you for the input! I'm just learning these weapons. Very interesterd, but A LOT to take in. That's why I am here, to learn. Thanks again, very helpful.

[300zero]

Here are more pics.