Additional info about Mauser Parabellum grips

[mauro]

Hello to all,
We already discussed in some topics the differences between the Mauser Parabellum grips and the Imperial one. We highlighted that the Mauser Parabellum grips do not match with the standard model.
To better point out these differences, I have shot some photos. The Mauser Parabellum wood grip is compared with an Imperial model grip.
You can clearly see the differences.
In addition, hereafter an extract from the Allenâ??s article â??Postwar Parabellumâ?� â?? American Riflemen, December 1979:
Concerning the 29/70 models â??â?¦One of the improvement incorporated by Mauser was the inclusion of two metal pins in each grip at the point where the raised interior wood rib meets the forward edge of the grip strap. This solved one of the Lugerâ??s chronic problems â?? that of loose grips resulting from worn or chipped wooden ribs. An unfortunate side effect of this change is that the grips were made somewhat wider and more squared than the normal Luger in order to be able to accept the pins. This decidedly and adversely affected the feel of the pistol. The grips on these early guns had the same smooth border associated with the Swiss 1929â?� .
The grips were modified for the 06/73 model: â??In order to provide the desired feel to the pistol, the grip forward edges were more rounded. Since this resulted in making the grips thinner, it became impossible to seat the grip pins. To achieve the same desired effect, a raised pin was placed in the middle crossmember of the frame and a corresponding hole provided in the interior of the grips. Mauser had the last succeeded in making their Parabellum look and feel a Luger.â?�


Ciao
Mauro

[John Sabato]

Great comparison photos Mauro... thanks for sharing this info.

[Vlim]

Hi Mauro,

Interesting bit about the change in grip pin style. My 1972-and-a-half still has the old-style pins in the grip plates themselves.

Any possibility to show the frame of a pre-1973 and a post-1973 Mauser for comparison?

[mauro]

Hi Gerben,
I do not have photos to compare directly the 06/73 frame against P08 standard.
Maybe the attached photos can help. The first one is a comparison between a Mauser commemorative LP08 wrt a commemorative P08 (available at page 43 of my book as well).
The second photo shows a Mauser Parabellum LP08, a cut away and standard LP08.
I hope these photos help.
Ciao
Mauro







P.S. Gerben may you post some photos of your intetresting 1972-and-a-half?

[Vlim]

Hi Mauro,

I'll make some more when my camera's batteries have been recharged

In the mean time, I placed the grips under the scanner. This clearly shows the old style pins. Note that the previous owner varnished them.

Note the old style takedown lever, sideplate, safety lever.
Combine this with the old style grip fixtures, but a new style (front gripstrap) frame.

[mauro]

Hi Gerben,
Definitely interesting your â??transition modelâ?�. The pins solution was no longer utilized in the late production so also your grips are quite unusual.
What is the serial number of your pistol?
It could be placed as a sort of border line between the 29/70 and 06/73 models.

Ciao
Mauro

[Vlim]

Hi Mauro,

That's what I thought and as many collector's have thought up interesting names I came up with the 1972-and-a-half variation

The pistol has a 1972 Ulm proof and has number 10.004187.

It seems that rather than production changing from one version to another, they just utilized parts on hand, substituting new parts only when old parts were used up.

I'vel added a frame shot without grip for comparison also.

I also noticed the rather crappy workmanship of the grip screws while removing the grips.

[mauro]

Gerben,
Very interesting.
We can assume that around the serial number 4500 (more or less) the model 06/73 reaches the final configuration.
I guess that the production of the 7,65 ends around the serial number 6000 (this means 5000 pistols made).
What do you think? Can we consider this a realistic estimation?
Ciao
Mauro

[Vlim]

Mauro,

Sounds plausible enough. Perhaps a better research of early configurations is needed. Especially in those below the 6000 serial number.

[Vlim]

Hi Mauro,

An 06/70 with 1970-style grip in .30 luger with serial 4063 is now for sale on this forum. That one sure narrows the transition range for frames down!
Somewhere between 4063 and 4187.

[mauro]

Hi Gerben,
This is really interesting indeed.
I will go to open a topic related to this matter in order to try to collect more serial numbers and then better understand where the transition phase is placed.
Maybe we discover that for a certain period both models were produced.
It is an attractive research field.
Ciao
Mauro

[Vlim]

Mauro,

Good idea. At least we'd have better documentation than Mauser

[mauro]

Hi Gerben,
Another 1972-and-a-half variation for sale on eGun.

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=565269

[Vlim]

Nice one,

Too bad there's no accessories and no serial number.
Spent a weekend in Germany with our mutual friend Holger. He had helped to organize an oldtimer tour rallye and supplied some toys for one of the special stages. Got to shoot a brand new H&K P2000 and MP5 SF with laser sights.

We've agreed to hold the next meeting in Oberndorf

[mauro]

Hi Gerben,
Happy to hear that you meet Holger.
Actually I have planned to meet him in the last July but I was to busy to organize a meeting.
You know that I am living in Belgium now, 15 Km from Maastricht.
Therefore it should be a pleasure to me meet you an Holger as weel.
May we arrange a meetingY
Let me know.
Ciao
Mauro

[Vlim]

Hi Mauro,

I agree. We'd definately should plan something. I am visiting a Spa show on the 23rd this month.

Something else, I noticed something weird on the toggle of my Mauser Parabellum, I found the last 3 digits of the serial number, very crudely and very faintly etched on the side of the toggle, blued over. I know the toggle wasn't reblued during the barrel replacement and I'm wondering if this etched number is common on the Mauser Parabellum. Can you check whether any of yours has the same markings?

[Steve Richards]

I checked my Mauser (# 10.001336) and there are no numbers or anything else marked on the sides of the toggle links.

Except for a very low serial number, there does not appear to be anything special about it except that it is mine.

Does anyone have a correct cleaning rod for this? I have the box and everything except the cleaning rod.

Mauro, if you have any questions that I can answer about such an early number, please ask.

Steve

[Vlim]

Steve,

thanks for checking. Could have been done as part of the repair, rebarrel, reblue and testfire scheme my pistol went through.

Mine came with a wire brush, others came with an old style cleaner.

[mauro]

Hi Gerben,
Sorry for the delay in the answer but I was abroad.
As you know I just moved in Belgium and my "babies" are not still with me therefore I cannot check.
In any case I do not remember any additional serial number.
Concerning the meeting we can organise something when you are in Spa.
Let me think how we can arrange it.
Do you post a picture of the serial number you found on the toggle side.
Ciao
Mauro

[Vlim]

Hi Mauro,

Here's the number. Very crudely engraved.



In case you're wondering, I'm not visiting the formula one in Spa, but an ammunition collectors fair