Help to identify a 1940 Luger

Gary_3 · 02-10-2002, 12:47 PM

My father passed away and left me a luger that his brother brought back from Northern Africa during WWII.

I would appreciate any help in identifying it. Model, manufacturer, value, etc.

It is marked 1940 on the top front of the frame. 42 on the top of the slide. On the front of the frame, below the 4 digit serial number is what looks like a script "e". On the right side of the frame (front) are two wings with what looks like 655 and 656 stamped under them, followed by what I guess is an eagle on a globe. A smaller version of this eagle is on the right side of the barrel. The numbers on all of the parts match, and it has a matching serial number magazine. It is in very good condition with some wear on the bluing from a holster, and some wear on the grips.

Thanks Gary

Johnny Peppers · 02-10-2002, 01:05 PM

Your Luger was made in 1940 by Mauser. The 42 on the middle toggle link is the wartime code for Mauser. The E/655 stamps are the army acceptance marks, and the E/Swastika on the receiver, barrel, and breech block is the firing proof. The magazine should have the full serial number with letter suffix, and the E/655 acceptance mark. A plus sign (+) on the magazine base would indicate that the magazine was the spare magazine. The e letter suffix would put production somewhere in mid 1940. The e letter suffix is a part of the complete serial number and should be recorded as a part of the complete serial number. Sounds like a nice Luger.

02-10-2002, 12:47 PM	#1
Gary_3 User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Help to identify a 1940 Luger My father passed away and left me a luger that his brother brought back from Northern Africa during WWII. I would appreciate any help in identifying it. Model, manufacturer, value, etc. It is marked 1940 on the top front of the frame. 42 on the top of the slide. On the front of the frame, below the 4 digit serial number is what looks like a script "e". On the right side of the frame (front) are two wings with what looks like 655 and 656 stamped under them, followed by what I guess is an eagle on a globe. A smaller version of this eagle is on the right side of the barrel. The numbers on all of the parts match, and it has a matching serial number magazine. It is in very good condition with some wear on the bluing from a holster, and some wear on the grips. Thanks Gary

02-10-2002, 01:05 PM	#2
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Help to identify a 1940 Luger Your Luger was made in 1940 by Mauser. The 42 on the middle toggle link is the wartime code for Mauser. The E/655 stamps are the army acceptance marks, and the E/Swastika on the receiver, barrel, and breech block is the firing proof. The magazine should have the full serial number with letter suffix, and the E/655 acceptance mark. A plus sign (+) on the magazine base would indicate that the magazine was the spare magazine. The e letter suffix would put production somewhere in mid 1940. The e letter suffix is a part of the complete serial number and should be recorded as a part of the complete serial number. Sounds like a nice Luger.