Additional info about Mauser Parabellum grips

[mauro]

Hi Gerben,
Thanks for the photo.
Now I can state without doubs that my Parabellums do not have this serial number engraved under the toggle.
This is very unusual.

You are right, I was thinking that you visiting Spa for the Formula 1 GP.
Next week end, I will be in Germany visiting friends.
Starting from the week end after we can think how have our meeting.
I have sent to you a pm with my address and telephone number.

I am looking forward to meet you.
Ciao
Mauro

[mauro]

Hello Gerben,
Actually I was wrong in my previous reply. In fact I have performed a double check and I have found that one of mine toggle is marked 176 in the same way that yours.
Now the question is: why?
Let me know.
Ciao
Mauro

[John Sabato]

Mauro & Gerben,

I would speculate that numbers applied by the factory in this manner happen because using the more modern methods of manufacturing that this part gets it's heat treatment and hardening sooner in the process and it may be too hard to properly use number stamps. The number is applied with a vibrating electric pencil for the convenience of the assemblers, and since it doesn't show when the gun is assembled, it doesn't have to look very neat. Just my 2 phennigs of opinion.

[mauro]

Hi John,
Your speculation is very realistic. I agree with you that this procedure should be implemented for helping the assemblers.
What is interesting is to figure out why not all the toggles have been marked. In fact ,so far, I see only two toggle with this engraved number. Should be interesting that some others Luger Forum collectors verify is own Mauser Parabellum.
I assume that this procedure has been followed only at the beginning of the production. But it is only a speculation.
Ciao
Mauro

[Vlim]

Hi Mauro,

Well, very interesting that you found one in the same spot. I agree that John's idea is quite logical. Would be very interesting to see how long this practice continued. Another survey

btw. I'll reserve a car seat for you in the next car/gun meeting at Oberndorf.

[mauro]

Hi Gerben,
It is a really pleasure to participate with you to the next meeting in Oberndorf. This is the first time that I visit the Mauser city.
I am finalizing a purchase order with Holger. I really hope to meet him in this occasion as well.
I have just received five "Gun Facts" magazines dated 1969. These magazines contain five articles about the â??newâ?� Mauser Parabellum.
Believe me, plenty of interesting information and beautiful â??black and whiteâ?� photos.
I will summarize the most important points in the next days.

Ciao
Mauro

[Lyn Islaub]

Mauro,
Another serial number for your collection: 10.005284.
It's a 6" .30 cal, with the grip pin location in the frame. Along with the box and all the original goodies, it came with a nickle bodied wood bottom magazine with a Mauser Banner on the spine. The receiver has a purple tinge to it and the side plate is just plain purple. I have the same coloring on a 1939 Code 42 Luger and a 1942 Eagle "C' PPK. Something to do with either the hardening of the steel, or a rush job on the bluing. I'm not sure which is correct.
Lyn

[mauro]

Cool Lyn,
Thank you for the info.
Any idea about the year of production? I assume that this pistol is FBM market, doesn't it?
Let me know.
Ciao
Mauro

[mauro]

Hi Lyn,
some other info.
According to my data base your pistol has been made in the 1974/76 period. Unfortunatly I cannot be more precise for the moment. Maybe you have the date written in the test target.
Your pistol is a 06/73 model with a particular pin that go trought the frame to block the grips, doesn't it?
Let me know.
Ciao
Mauro

[Lyn Islaub]

Mauro,
Yes, it is a 06/73 with the "FBM" proof on the left rail and the frame mounted pin for the grips. The test target is signed but not dated nor is the owners manual. I will defer to you concerning the manufacturing date, as I don't know. I bought it for less than a third of what they go for today and as with all Lugers it is turning out to be a good investment. Do you have any data that might tell me how many of this version was manufactured?
Thx, Lyn

[mauro]

Hi Lyn,
Please find hereafter some information that can help you.
The first Parabellum in caliber .30 Luger is numbered 10.001001. According to my data base the production ends around 1986/1987. The serial number of the last production is around 10.006000. Therefore the total number of Mauser Parabellum in .30 Luger should be around 5000 items. Now the production of the model 06/73 starts around the number 10.004000. For a while Mauser made both models. Therefore the total number of 06/73 in caliber .30 Luger should be around 2000 items.
My data base is not very populated so far and also most of the pistols have been exported into USA without the date of production stamped.

I really encourage all the Luger Forum friends that own a Mauser Parabellum to share the serial number and the date of production.

Have fun.
Cheers,
Mauro

[Ponyman]

Hi Mauro ~

My 29/70 9mm is marked 11.009648 -- where would I look for a possible stamped date of production?

I also have an Aimco Centennial (1900-AE-2000) Commemorative: "blued" stainless with small parts that appear to be strawed - including the extractor, which has the correct shape for 1900!), dished (more correctly, ground off) toggle knobs, and a grip safety. What I find interesting is that the GS appears to have been implemented with a Mauser Parabellum lever, requiring inletting of the right grip panel - quite incorrect for 1900. I have not attempted to determine the alloy of the lever, but I'm guessing it's not stainless - and the blue finish on this part may have determined the surface coloring of the frame and receiver, as the match is quite good.

[Ponyman]

Hi Again Mauro ~

I just pulled the canon off my 29/70 9mm sn# 11.009648 and found that it has "648" marked on the underside of the rear toggle link.

[mauro]

Hi Dave,
Absolutely interesting. What we have to figure out is why the toggle link have the last three digits engraved. It should be something related to the production phases but we need to discover when during the production phase it was necessary to do this. Should be also useful to know around which serial number Mauser started this.

Concerning the date, if your pistol is FBM marked it doesn't have the date stamped. The date is stamped on the pistol when it was tested in Ulm to be sell in Europe.
Usually the pistol imported by Interarms are simply tested by Mauser and not by the Ulm District Proofhouse.

Thank you for the information.
Ciao
Mauro

[mauro]

Hello guys,
I just verified my Bulgarian commemorative (first commemorative made - 1975) and my LP08 commemorative (last commemorative produced - 1986). Both pistols have engraved on the rear toggle part the last digits of the serial number. The Bulgarian the last three digits, the LP08 the last two.
It means that this habit was implemented in Mauser during all the production period.
For any reasons during the production the frame was dissociated to the toggle.
For this reason was necessary to "remember" which toggle belongs to which pistol.
Now why it was necessary? I assume all Mauser Parabellum items interchangeable therefore why...

Merry Christmas

Mauro