Aarron Davis' "Luger Handbook" Errors ? ? ? ?

Luke · 07-19-2001, 11:18 PM

On page 53 of "The Luger Handbook" by Aarron Davis regarding byf Lugers, he states,

"FINISH: Salt blue. Ejector, magazine catch, takedown lever, thumb safety, and trigger all straw colored."

I am sure that all of the other references I have used state that ALL components of the byf 41s and byf 42s are salt blued with NO strawed parts.

In referring to the 41 & 42 byf Luger production, he states,

"QUANTITY MADE: Several thousand military. Very few commercial contract."

Jan Still's book states that 113,000 42s and 126,000 41s were produced for a total of almost a quarter million pistols. The words, SEVERAL THOUSAND, in the Davis book does not leave the same impression.

Is the Davis book in error? Is this book a reliable reference?

Thor · 07-19-2001, 11:39 PM

It certainly is in error for the strawed parts comment. I mentioned this to Ralph one day and he said, whatya expect for $10. Thor

Steve Lempitski · 07-20-2001, 09:12 AM

Thor · 07-20-2001, 09:59 AM

Luke, you statement about "I am sure that all of the other references I have used state that ALL components of the byf 41s and byf 42s are salt blued with NO strawed parts." and regarding byfs is true, AND all military versions of Mauser Lugers after mid/late 1937 were salt blued with blued small parts. Krieghoffs were mostly salt blued but had strawed parts! Thor

Luke · 07-20-2001, 10:37 AM

On page 32 he states that 1908 Commercial Lugers have the serial number on the side plate.

1. The Still book shows a picture of a 1908 Commercial with no markings on the side plate.

2. The Kenyon book ALSO shows a picure of a 1908 Commercial with a completely clean side plate.

3. I just bought a 1908 Commercial from Ralph, in whom I have complete confidence, and my new Luger side plate is totally without markings on the outside.

I am rapidly losing confidence in the Aarron Davis book.

Just a thought: Wouldn't it be nice if the forum posted, on a permanent basis, known errors in the references available to all of us? I, for one, would find this extremely useful.

Luke · 07-20-2001, 10:40 AM

BTW, Davis also lists other components on the 1908 Commercial for serial numbers that are not found on the Kenyon & Still pictures.

Uncle Mike · 07-20-2001, 11:33 AM

After consulting Davis's book I had conflicting information that how I found "The Forum".I think it's good to be skeptical about things you read and wonder if these errors are just clerical or mistakes of knowledge.

07-19-2001, 11:18 PM	#1
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Aarron Davis' "Luger Handbook" Errors ? ? ? ? On page 53 of "The Luger Handbook" by Aarron Davis regarding byf Lugers, he states, "FINISH: Salt blue. Ejector, magazine catch, takedown lever, thumb safety, and trigger all straw colored." I am sure that all of the other references I have used state that ALL components of the byf 41s and byf 42s are salt blued with NO strawed parts. In referring to the 41 & 42 byf Luger production, he states, "QUANTITY MADE: Several thousand military. Very few commercial contract." Jan Still's book states that 113,000 42s and 126,000 41s were produced for a total of almost a quarter million pistols. The words, SEVERAL THOUSAND, in the Davis book does not leave the same impression. Is the Davis book in error? Is this book a reliable reference?

07-19-2001, 11:39 PM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 971 Times in 277 Posts	Re: Aarron Davis' "Luger Handbook" Errors ? ? ? ? It certainly is in error for the strawed parts comment. I mentioned this to Ralph one day and he said, whatya expect for $10. Thor

07-20-2001, 09:12 AM	#3
Steve Lempitski User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Old Cape Cod Posts: 238 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Thats why I was GIVEN a copy!! (EOM)

07-20-2001, 09:59 AM	#4
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 971 Times in 277 Posts	Re: Aarron Davis' "Luger Handbook" Errors ? ? ? ? Luke, you statement about "I am sure that all of the other references I have used state that ALL components of the byf 41s and byf 42s are salt blued with NO strawed parts." and regarding byfs is true, AND all military versions of Mauser Lugers after mid/late 1937 were salt blued with blued small parts. Krieghoffs were mostly salt blued but had strawed parts! Thor

07-20-2001, 10:37 AM	#5
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Another Problem with the Davis Book On page 32 he states that 1908 Commercial Lugers have the serial number on the side plate. 1. The Still book shows a picture of a 1908 Commercial with no markings on the side plate. 2. The Kenyon book ALSO shows a picure of a 1908 Commercial with a completely clean side plate. 3. I just bought a 1908 Commercial from Ralph, in whom I have complete confidence, and my new Luger side plate is totally without markings on the outside. I am rapidly losing confidence in the Aarron Davis book. Just a thought: Wouldn't it be nice if the forum posted, on a permanent basis, known errors in the references available to all of us? I, for one, would find this extremely useful.

07-20-2001, 10:40 AM	#6
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Another Problem with the Davis Book BTW, Davis also lists other components on the 1908 Commercial for serial numbers that are not found on the Kenyon & Still pictures.

07-20-2001, 11:33 AM	#7
Uncle Mike User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Davis book leads to "Luger Forum" After consulting Davis's book I had conflicting information that how I found "The Forum".I think it's good to be skeptical about things you read and wonder if these errors are just clerical or mistakes of knowledge.