1936 S/42 Trigger Plate Stamp

bdmatson · 11-17-2014, 10:57 PM

Hello all. I have an opportunity to purchase a really nice 1936 S/42 that is being described as 'all numbers matching'. My understanding based on research is that the trigger plate (side plate) should be stamped with the last two digits of the serial number. The plate on this gun has the stamp in the below photo. It looks like an upper case B with a crown over the top. Is this original to the gun or has the plate been changed? Thank you for the help.

Norme · 11-17-2014, 11:13 PM

Hi Brian, That side-plate is not original to the gun. It is from an Erfurt Luger made in 1918 or earlier.
Regards, Norm

alanint · 11-18-2014, 06:07 AM

And further scrubbed to remove the Erfurt serial number ending.

DavidJayUden · 11-18-2014, 07:46 AM

Judging by the rainbow color, give it the sniff test for cold bluing...
It may be an otherwise nice gun, but this "flaw" hurts its collector value considerably.
dju

mrerick · 11-18-2014, 09:56 AM

Mauser made side plates were stamped to match the Luger on both the outside and inside. The outside had the last two digits of the serial number. The inside had either the first one or two digits, or the first one or two digits plus one. For example, a gun with serial number "757x" would have "57" on the outside of the plate, and "7" or "8" on the inside.

There will be one plate out of 10,000 that matches your gun.

For that reason, I'd recommend you not assume it will be easy (or even reasonably possible) to find a matching plate later.

The "dealer" or "seller" has also misrepresented the gun. Always take that into consideration before dealing with someone.

Marc

bdmatson · 11-18-2014, 04:05 PM

Thank you all for the responses. I will pass on this one. It's a bummer because other than this plate, the gun is in incredible condition and matching otherwise. Time to move on and keep looking.

bdmatson · 11-26-2014, 10:32 AM

Marc,

Whereabouts on the inside of the plate would the additional numerals be stamped? Could you post some pics to show the details? Thanks.

mrerick · 11-26-2014, 11:28 AM

Sure, They were applied by hand, so could be anywhere in the large open field that was milled out of the center of the plate. Here are some examples from Mauser Lugers ranging from 1937 through 1942.

Note that some plates were numbered with the first one or two digits of the serial number; some plates added one to the first one or two digits, and some plates (especially later) were not numbered inside.

11-17-2014, 10:57 PM	#1
bdmatson User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	1936 S/42 Trigger Plate Stamp Hello all. I have an opportunity to purchase a really nice 1936 S/42 that is being described as 'all numbers matching'. My understanding based on research is that the trigger plate (side plate) should be stamped with the last two digits of the serial number. The plate on this gun has the stamp in the below photo. It looks like an upper case B with a crown over the top. Is this original to the gun or has the plate been changed? Thank you for the help. Attached Thumbnails

11-18-2014, 09:56 AM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Mauser made side plates were stamped to match the Luger on both the outside and inside. The outside had the last two digits of the serial number. The inside had either the first one or two digits, or the first one or two digits plus one. For example, a gun with serial number "757x" would have "57" on the outside of the plate, and "7" or "8" on the inside. There will be one plate out of 10,000 that matches your gun. For that reason, I'd recommend you not assume it will be easy (or even reasonably possible) to find a matching plate later. The "dealer" or "seller" has also misrepresented the gun. Always take that into consideration before dealing with someone. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-26-2014, 11:28 AM	#8
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Interior Side Plate Serial Numbers Sure, They were applied by hand, so could be anywhere in the large open field that was milled out of the center of the plate. Here are some examples from Mauser Lugers ranging from 1937 through 1942. Note that some plates were numbered with the first one or two digits of the serial number; some plates added one to the first one or two digits, and some plates (especially later) were not numbered inside. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-17-2014, 11:13 PM	#2
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	Hi Brian, That side-plate is not original to the gun. It is from an Erfurt Luger made in 1918 or earlier. Regards, Norm

11-18-2014, 06:07 AM	#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	And further scrubbed to remove the Erfurt serial number ending.

11-18-2014, 07:46 AM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Judging by the rainbow color, give it the sniff test for cold bluing... It may be an otherwise nice gun, but this "flaw" hurts its collector value considerably. dju

11-18-2014, 04:05 PM	#6
bdmatson User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thank you all for the responses. I will pass on this one. It's a bummer because other than this plate, the gun is in incredible condition and matching otherwise. Time to move on and keep looking.

11-26-2014, 10:32 AM	#7
bdmatson User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Marc, Whereabouts on the inside of the plate would the additional numerals be stamped? Could you post some pics to show the details? Thanks.