"New to Me" Nazi Marked BYF 41 - Did I do alright?

oldiron1 · 10-31-2011, 08:55 AM

Hi Guys,

I was doing my normal cruise through the local ads on Armslist this weekend and stumbled onto this 1941 byf in 9mm not far from me.

It looked nice in the ad, but as I was a bit afraid, it looked a little too nice as it has been re-blued unfortunately. It's a very nice job of being re blued as it looks beautiful!

The serial number is 7838 and seems to be numbers matching with exception of the magazine. The magazine has a 4 digit serial number with a waffle mark and a lower case letter "d" under the serial number. The pistol has it's 4" 9mm barrel. Both the receiver and barrel are Nazi marked, which I was excited to see.

The grips are black plastic, however I'm not sure how to distinguish original grips from reproductions. I'd appreciate any pointers in determining that.

I understand that being that the pistol was re blued, it lost much of it's collector value, however I was just excited to find a pretty much numbers matching, Nazi marked Luger so close to home and thought it will make a great shooter. I ended up paying $550 for it.

What would the pistol be worth? Did I do OK on it?

Thanks for any education (and emotional support!)

Mike B · 10-31-2011, 08:59 AM

Any Luger that shoots and is not rusty or pitted is worth $550.00 in my opinion. If you are unhappy with your purchase I will happily give you your money back.

Mike

Edward Tinker · 10-31-2011, 09:39 AM

Yes, i agree with Mike

mrerick · 10-31-2011, 10:29 AM

Hi Rob,

If the grips and magazine are authentic (period correct) they are almost worth what you paid for the entire pistol.

Post some pictures of the magazine showing all markings. Also, if you are very careful (see removal advice on this site) remove and photograph the back of the grips. Be particularly careful with the upper left grip near the safety lever. They are easy to break there.

Don't use a flash in your photos. Get a tripod. Use the closeup setting on your camera, and take the pictures outdoors in indirect (shaded) light.

I think you have a very nice Luger at a very good price.

Marc

Curly1 · 10-31-2011, 10:43 AM

Nice score.

oldiron1 · 10-31-2011, 10:51 AM

Thanks alot guys!

I'm new to the world of Luger's, and have always wanted one. I'm really having fun researching and learning more about them. When I ran into this one, not knowing much yet, I decided to take a gamble on it and am really pleased with my purchase. I feel alot better after hearing from you that I did alright on it. There is something about hearing you got a good deal, that makes a new treasure that much more exciting to me.

Marc, Thanks for the picture taking suggestions. I'll take a couple of pictures outside (with better focus) of the Nazi marked magazine as well as the backside of the grips and will post the pictures. I really don't know what I'm looking for.

I'm having alot of fun learning about these pistols!

oldiron1 · 10-31-2011, 08:18 PM

Well, tonight I carefully took the grips off of my "new to me" Luger and tried to take some decent pictures of both sides. Also pictured is the bottom of the magazines in effort to show the markings.

I got an extra pair of similar grips that I thought I'd picture and ask educated opinions on as well. In the first picture, the bottom pair is the pair that came on my new Luger, while the top pair (includes one that is broken) is my extra pair.

How can you tell an original pair from reproductions?

Thanks in advance for any help and education!

alanint · 10-31-2011, 08:40 PM

All the grips appear to be reproductions..

oldiron1 · 10-31-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

All the grips appear to be reproductions..

Ouch....How can you tell? (For future reference so that I know what I'm looking at/looking for)

Thanks!

alanint · 10-31-2011, 08:49 PM

Just the overall poor workmanship. Bubbles in the plastic, poorly formed holes with ragged edges, uneven surfaces. Original grips are finely made with sharp edges and well defined features. They are made of bakelite and not thermo formed plastic. Most reproductions come from molds made from a pair of original grips and lose definition in the process.

10-31-2011, 08:55 AM	#1
oldiron1 User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	"New to Me" Nazi Marked BYF 41 - Did I do alright? Hi Guys, I was doing my normal cruise through the local ads on Armslist this weekend and stumbled onto this 1941 byf in 9mm not far from me. It looked nice in the ad, but as I was a bit afraid, it looked a little too nice as it has been re-blued unfortunately. It's a very nice job of being re blued as it looks beautiful! The serial number is 7838 and seems to be numbers matching with exception of the magazine. The magazine has a 4 digit serial number with a waffle mark and a lower case letter "d" under the serial number. The pistol has it's 4" 9mm barrel. Both the receiver and barrel are Nazi marked, which I was excited to see. The grips are black plastic, however I'm not sure how to distinguish original grips from reproductions. I'd appreciate any pointers in determining that. I understand that being that the pistol was re blued, it lost much of it's collector value, however I was just excited to find a pretty much numbers matching, Nazi marked Luger so close to home and thought it will make a great shooter. I ended up paying $550 for it. What would the pistol be worth? Did I do OK on it? Thanks for any education (and emotional support!)

10-31-2011, 09:39 AM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Yes, i agree with Mike __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

10-31-2011, 10:29 AM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Hi Rob, If the grips and magazine are authentic (period correct) they are almost worth what you paid for the entire pistol. Post some pictures of the magazine showing all markings. Also, if you are very careful (see removal advice on this site) remove and photograph the back of the grips. Be particularly careful with the upper left grip near the safety lever. They are easy to break there. Don't use a flash in your photos. Get a tripod. Use the closeup setting on your camera, and take the pictures outdoors in indirect (shaded) light. I think you have a very nice Luger at a very good price. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-31-2011, 10:43 AM	#5
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,230 Thanks: 113 Thanked 703 Times in 365 Posts	Nice score. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

10-31-2011, 08:59 AM	#2
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 271 Times in 99 Posts	Any Luger that shoots and is not rusty or pitted is worth $550.00 in my opinion. If you are unhappy with your purchase I will happily give you your money back. Mike

10-31-2011, 10:51 AM	#6
oldiron1 User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks alot guys! I'm new to the world of Luger's, and have always wanted one. I'm really having fun researching and learning more about them. When I ran into this one, not knowing much yet, I decided to take a gamble on it and am really pleased with my purchase. I feel alot better after hearing from you that I did alright on it. There is something about hearing you got a good deal, that makes a new treasure that much more exciting to me. Marc, Thanks for the picture taking suggestions. I'll take a couple of pictures outside (with better focus) of the Nazi marked magazine as well as the backside of the grips and will post the pictures. I really don't know what I'm looking for. I'm having alot of fun learning about these pistols!

10-31-2011, 08:18 PM	#7
oldiron1 User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well, tonight I carefully took the grips off of my "new to me" Luger and tried to take some decent pictures of both sides. Also pictured is the bottom of the magazines in effort to show the markings. I got an extra pair of similar grips that I thought I'd picture and ask educated opinions on as well. In the first picture, the bottom pair is the pair that came on my new Luger, while the top pair (includes one that is broken) is my extra pair. How can you tell an original pair from reproductions? Thanks in advance for any help and education!

10-31-2011, 08:40 PM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	All the grips appear to be reproductions..

10-31-2011, 08:49 PM	#10
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Just the overall poor workmanship. Bubbles in the plastic, poorly formed holes with ragged edges, uneven surfaces. Original grips are finely made with sharp edges and well defined features. They are made of bakelite and not thermo formed plastic. Most reproductions come from molds made from a pair of original grips and lose definition in the process.