Luger experts...input please:

[CHEMICAL]

Co-worker asked me to dig up some info on his luger. Can anyone tell me anything about it other than it's a Luger? All numbers match except the magazine.

[Emptymag]

It's German.

[Thomas Paine]

looks like it was made in either 1940 or 3610.
(shameless bump)

[CHEMICAL]

It's German.

Holy shit! No way!! Looks like it was reblued since the finish is practically brand new looking and ultra smooth but other than that I can't find specific info about it, there's so much on the net.

[bob308]

it is a 1940 mauser rework the 42 is the code for mauser. it is nazi proofed which adds to the value a lot. now if you had the capture papers would be nice.

[CHEMICAL]

it is a 1940 mauser rework the 42 is the code for mauser. it is nazi proofed which adds to the value a lot. now if you had the capture papers would be nice.

I'll ask him

[Zet70]

It's nicer than any Luger I've seen.

Wish I had anything of that quality, history, or vintage in my collection. Please do not allow him to sell it out of the family.

[nickg]

its not a Mauser rework....
42 is the code for a Mauser made gun. The proofs are standard and will not be much different than any other Nazi era Luger. The thing that really matters with lugers is finish originality and matching numbers.The bad reblue KILLS the value BIGTIME...so does the lack of numbering on the side plate. (so it isn't a matching pistol)
600 shooter...
sorry to burst your bubble.


here is my black widow luger for comparison, it is original finish.



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[Ecclectic Collector]

I am not specifically a Luger expert, but I do specialize in Milsup collecting in general, so here is my advice for whatever its worth:

1. Buy a guide like Standard Catalog of Military Firearms. (or at least go to a bookstore and look it up there...)

Look up the specific model in it. Yes, there will be tons of information on how to ID the specific model, because Lugers are very collected and there is lots of information published on them.

ID the specific model by its markings and details. Get an expert appraisal to determine if this gun was indeed refinished, or just in very nice condition. The issue of a mixed part is an common one. I have heard both sides of the "Must be all matching" argument. Honestly, from what I've seen these days any nice Luger is very collectable and this one looks like a very nice Nazi gun.

Keep in mind, in 1940 the Nazis had not really started large scale production of the P.38 yet, so Lugers were very much a primary issue gun at that point in time and being made as fast they could. Mauser itself phased out production of the Luger during 1942 as they tooled up to make P.38 pistols (coded BYF). So if this is indeed a late production Luger, it makes it fairly collectable even within the realm of Luger collectors.

[crazywolf]

go to the luger forum .you'll have to join to post questions.they are great people there and helped me out a lot.crazywolf