1936 S/42 Interesting Transitions

Frank · 02-05-2005, 05:44 PM

The photo shows a G-Date, 1936 G-Block, 1936 H-Block and a 1936 K-Block. The Germans made two small changes in the design between the G-Date and 1936. The first was to make a larger radius behind the barrel band that contains the front sight. The second was to change the size of the "S" in the S/42 on the mid toggle link so the "S" and "42" were the same size. Also of note is the "42" changed design from a closed "4" to a more open "4". It may be hard to see, but it's there!

Actually, they made three changes. Later they changed the design of the proof mark from the Early Test Proof Mark (ETP) to the Mid Proof Test Mark (MTP) near the beginning of the L/M-Block. But this transition only pertains to the EPM.

The photo shows the G-Date and the 1936 G-Block have the smaller radius, the other two have the larger, full radius. Also shown is the 1936 K-Block has the S/42 all the same size, the other three have the large "S" in the S/42.

So Mauser used all the piece parts they could making some interesting transitions. The sharp radius barrel bands and the large "S" in the S/42 mid toggle link are all from the 1935 (G-Date) production. I am reasonably sure that these parts are mixed in for 1936 production in the F, G and H Blocks and maybe higher.

Now the question: Has anyone seen a 1936 with a sharp radius behind the barrel band in combination with a "standard" 1936 mid toggle link?

Vlim · 02-06-2005, 06:51 AM

Hi Frank,

I have another question. Have you ever observed traces of what appears to be a die impression just below the S/42? My late 1937 S/42 has this small impression mark just below the S/42 which looks like the rim of a die just slightly struck it there.

Frank · 02-06-2005, 09:11 AM

Hi Gerben,

No I haven't noticed any die marks. But, I wasn't looking for them. The next time I have a chance to look, I will and report any that I see. What 1937 Block (suffix) was the die mark found?

Ron Wood · 02-06-2005, 11:06 AM

Nice presentation Frank! This forum is ideal for this kind of educational material. Glad to see you and others taking the time to expand the knowledge of the Luger community. Thank you.

Frank · 02-06-2005, 04:17 PM

Thanks Ron, I appreciate your comments! Especially coming from you; because you do the same thing for the prototype Lugers as I try to do for the full up production models!!

Vlim · 02-07-2005, 01:18 PM

Hi Frank,

The block was the late 1937 b-block.
I have to agree with Ron, you're starting to get to the point where you surpass Herr August Weiss's knowledge on Mauser lugers

Edward Tinker · 02-07-2005, 02:54 PM

Thanks Frank, the photographic representation like this is great for the rest of us, thanks for doing it!

Ed

Frank · 02-07-2005, 04:46 PM

Thanks all, I added a note to the initial post regarding the design change in the figure "4" in the S/42. Like I said it's hard to see, but it's there!!

02-05-2005, 05:44 PM	#1
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	1936 S/42 Interesting Transitions The photo shows a G-Date, 1936 G-Block, 1936 H-Block and a 1936 K-Block. The Germans made two small changes in the design between the G-Date and 1936. The first was to make a larger radius behind the barrel band that contains the front sight. The second was to change the size of the "S" in the S/42 on the mid toggle link so the "S" and "42" were the same size. Also of note is the "42" changed design from a closed "4" to a more open "4". It may be hard to see, but it's there! Actually, they made three changes. Later they changed the design of the proof mark from the Early Test Proof Mark (ETP) to the Mid Proof Test Mark (MTP) near the beginning of the L/M-Block. But this transition only pertains to the EPM. The photo shows the G-Date and the 1936 G-Block have the smaller radius, the other two have the larger, full radius. Also shown is the 1936 K-Block has the S/42 all the same size, the other three have the large "S" in the S/42. So Mauser used all the piece parts they could making some interesting transitions. The sharp radius barrel bands and the large "S" in the S/42 mid toggle link are all from the 1935 (G-Date) production. I am reasonably sure that these parts are mixed in for 1936 production in the F, G and H Blocks and maybe higher. Now the question: Has anyone seen a 1936 with a sharp radius behind the barrel band in combination with a "standard" 1936 mid toggle link? Last edited by Frank; 02-07-2005 at 04:44 PM.

02-06-2005, 11:06 AM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Nice presentation Frank! This forum is ideal for this kind of educational material. Glad to see you and others taking the time to expand the knowledge of the Luger community. Thank you. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-06-2005, 06:51 AM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi Frank, I have another question. Have you ever observed traces of what appears to be a die impression just below the S/42? My late 1937 S/42 has this small impression mark just below the S/42 which looks like the rim of a die just slightly struck it there.

02-06-2005, 09:11 AM	#3
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Hi Gerben, No I haven't noticed any die marks. But, I wasn't looking for them. The next time I have a chance to look, I will and report any that I see. What 1937 Block (suffix) was the die mark found?

02-06-2005, 04:17 PM	#5
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Thanks Ron, I appreciate your comments! Especially coming from you; because you do the same thing for the prototype Lugers as I try to do for the full up production models!!

02-07-2005, 01:18 PM	#6
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi Frank, The block was the late 1937 b-block. I have to agree with Ron, you're starting to get to the point where you surpass Herr August Weiss's knowledge on Mauser lugers

02-07-2005, 02:54 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	Thanks Frank, the photographic representation like this is great for the rest of us, thanks for doing it! Ed

02-07-2005, 04:46 PM	#8
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Thanks all, I added a note to the initial post regarding the design change in the figure "4" in the S/42. Like I said it's hard to see, but it's there!!