serial numbers on my 1937 S/42

Aldous · 10-18-2007, 11:04 PM

For my 30th birthday my father gave me a luger, marked 1937 S/42, serial number 6278. My grandfather brought it back from the war - he was in the USAAF and bought it from an American serviceman before he returned from Eurpoe. It has been in my family since then, and has been basically untouched - fired a few times and cleaned occasionally. The bluing is worn somewhat and there is a small gouge in one of the wooden pieces on the handle, but it's in decent shape. I'm sure it hasn't been altered, restored, repaired, etc. since my granfather brought it home.

This brings me to my question: the serial numbers don't quite match. As I said the SN is 6278, and all of the smaller parts are numbered 78, except for the part that holds the chamber open when the magazine is empty (on the parts diagram I found on this site, part number 022). This part is stamped 77.

I just wondered if anyone has any idea why this part is different - perhaps it was replaced during the war? Is it only a coincidence that this part is 77, while everything else is 78? As I said, I'm sure it wasn't replaced since my grandfather acquired it in 1945.

I'm not really concerned about the value, since I would never sell it - it is too important as a piece of family history - but I'm curious.

Also, what sort of ammo should I use? I don't intend to shoot it much, but I'd like to put a couple of rounds through it, just to see how it feels. But I'm concerned that modern, high pressure ammo might not be suitable.

Thanks for helping out a newbie to your forum - I'm impressed by the amount of quality info and expertise!

10-18-2007, 11:04 PM	#1
Aldous New User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	serial numbers on my 1937 S/42 For my 30th birthday my father gave me a luger, marked 1937 S/42, serial number 6278. My grandfather brought it back from the war - he was in the USAAF and bought it from an American serviceman before he returned from Eurpoe. It has been in my family since then, and has been basically untouched - fired a few times and cleaned occasionally. The bluing is worn somewhat and there is a small gouge in one of the wooden pieces on the handle, but it's in decent shape. I'm sure it hasn't been altered, restored, repaired, etc. since my granfather brought it home. This brings me to my question: the serial numbers don't quite match. As I said the SN is 6278, and all of the smaller parts are numbered 78, except for the part that holds the chamber open when the magazine is empty (on the parts diagram I found on this site, part number 022). This part is stamped 77. I just wondered if anyone has any idea why this part is different - perhaps it was replaced during the war? Is it only a coincidence that this part is 77, while everything else is 78? As I said, I'm sure it wasn't replaced since my grandfather acquired it in 1945. I'm not really concerned about the value, since I would never sell it - it is too important as a piece of family history - but I'm curious. Also, what sort of ammo should I use? I don't intend to shoot it much, but I'd like to put a couple of rounds through it, just to see how it feels. But I'm concerned that modern, high pressure ammo might not be suitable. Thanks for helping out a newbie to your forum - I'm impressed by the amount of quality info and expertise!