byf 41 price check (before buy)

mikeruth · 07-21-2001, 11:56 PM

Hi, another newbe here. I have wanted a Luger for years but kept putting off buying one.

I have a chance to buy a 1941 byf with black plastic grips, 95-98%, and matching numbers on the outside (owner does not want to take it down). It has one mag marked fxo (if I remember correctly).

The asking price is $700. Does this sound OK? Also, I have noticed the VOPO comments on this board. How do I tell a refinished gun? Anything else that I sould look for (on the outside)?

Marvin · 07-22-2001, 07:30 AM

The price sounds really good, according to what condition the pistol is in! First thing is to look for an import stamp on the underside of the barrel, side of the frame, etc. Do the plastic grips have a "bullseye" on the center, if so, it is probably an East German rework. The bluing should have a sheen to it if original, but not shiney. If it is a dull black, that is probably a reblue.

To know if it is all matching, I wonder why the seller will not field strip the pistol for you and look to veryify it is all matching??? IF you feel it is correct, the price is great is all matching. Make a deal with the seller that if the internal parts do not match, he will return your money or give you a rebate. The internal parts that match should be the, rear toggle pin, firing pin, and holdopen.

The price is great if all matching, and OK deal if one parts is mismatched. Normally, this pistol would sell retail for approx. $900-1000 in the condition you described. If it is import marked or has E. German grips, it would be a $500 pistol. Be careful unless you can provide a photo to evaluate. Good Luck and keep us posted.

Marvin

Johnny Peppers · 07-22-2001, 10:54 AM

Also the serial number of the trigger and breechblock cannot be seen until the pistol is taken down.

mikeruth · 07-22-2001, 11:06 AM

The grips do not have a "bullseye" and there are no import marks on the gun.

The bluing part bothers me a little. I do not remember it having a sheen but then I did not look at it very long.

I think that the owner does not know how to strip it and is afraid to let me.

I will get another chance to look at it Monday or Tuesday.

Maybe I can convince him to let me stip it.

Marvin · 07-22-2001, 02:26 PM

Mike,

I am glad Johhny came in with the other parts that cannot be verified until it is field stripped, I forgot about those. If it has the correct plastic grips, and is not imort marked, it sure sounds correct. The price is still good, even with a mismatched part. Keep us informaed if you buy the pistol and if it is all matching or not if you buy. I would buy the pistol myself.

Marvin

Aaron · 07-22-2001, 04:17 PM

Sounds like a pretty decent price to me in light of what I just paid for my new (and I do mean "new") byf 42. This is a 99+% gun in absolutely superb condition, as if it just came off the assembly line. Completely matching, of course, with two mint FXO mags, Mauser marked tool, and an absolutely mint black holster, marked WaA 195, manufacturer coded "epf" and dated 1941. It is identical to an outfit I turned down fifteen years ago at $900, except that this time I paid $1750 and was glad to get it at almost any price.

mikeruth · 08-01-2001, 12:11 AM

I am back with two more questions. I have looked at the Luger (see previous note below) and it appears that all numbers match. The FXO marked mag also has a correct looking proof mark, but no serial number. The frame has a half inch scratch (white metal) on the left top rail. This is the only bad mark on the gun. I know that this is a value killer. How much?

The proof marks on the frame are very light (depth). Could this mean a refinish job on the frame? I do not know what the proof marks ahould look like (deep, shallow). The proof marks that are there look correct (per photos I have seen).

P.S. The owner now says that he wants $850. I think $700 is a better price, but I am no expert. Help!

===========================================================

Hi, another newbe here. I have wanted a Luger for years but kept putting off buying one.

I have a chance to buy a 1941 byf with black plastic grips, 95-98%, and matching numbers on the outside (owner does not want to take it down). It has one mag marked fxo (if I remember correctly).

The asking price is $700. Does this sound OK? Also, I have noticed the VOPO comments on this board. How do I tell a refinished gun? Anything else that I sould look for (on the outside)?

Marvin · 08-01-2001, 07:53 AM

Mike,

The magazine sounds like a field replacement and this is OK. Other than the scratch it sounds real nice. As to the proof marks, most of the ones I see from this era have a "shallow" appearance rather than the sharp stamps we like to see. I attribute this to the wear on the stamp and gives an appearance of being shallow. They probably are OK.

If you can get the pistol for $700; definetly go for it! At $850, you are on the top price side, but a fair value.

Marvin

mikeruth · 08-01-2001, 10:16 AM

Thank you for the help.

07-21-2001, 11:56 PM	#1
mikeruth User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	byf 41 price check (before buy) Hi, another newbe here. I have wanted a Luger for years but kept putting off buying one. I have a chance to buy a 1941 byf with black plastic grips, 95-98%, and matching numbers on the outside (owner does not want to take it down). It has one mag marked fxo (if I remember correctly). The asking price is $700. Does this sound OK? Also, I have noticed the VOPO comments on this board. How do I tell a refinished gun? Anything else that I sould look for (on the outside)?

07-22-2001, 07:30 AM	#2
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: byf 41 price check (before buy) The price sounds really good, according to what condition the pistol is in! First thing is to look for an import stamp on the underside of the barrel, side of the frame, etc. Do the plastic grips have a "bullseye" on the center, if so, it is probably an East German rework. The bluing should have a sheen to it if original, but not shiney. If it is a dull black, that is probably a reblue. To know if it is all matching, I wonder why the seller will not field strip the pistol for you and look to veryify it is all matching??? IF you feel it is correct, the price is great is all matching. Make a deal with the seller that if the internal parts do not match, he will return your money or give you a rebate. The internal parts that match should be the, rear toggle pin, firing pin, and holdopen. The price is great if all matching, and OK deal if one parts is mismatched. Normally, this pistol would sell retail for approx. $900-1000 in the condition you described. If it is import marked or has E. German grips, it would be a $500 pistol. Be careful unless you can provide a photo to evaluate. Good Luck and keep us posted. Marvin

07-22-2001, 10:54 AM	#3
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: byf 41 price check (before buy) Also the serial number of the trigger and breechblock cannot be seen until the pistol is taken down.

07-22-2001, 11:06 AM	#4
mikeruth User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: byf 41 price check (before buy) The grips do not have a "bullseye" and there are no import marks on the gun. The bluing part bothers me a little. I do not remember it having a sheen but then I did not look at it very long. I think that the owner does not know how to strip it and is afraid to let me. I will get another chance to look at it Monday or Tuesday. Maybe I can convince him to let me stip it.

07-22-2001, 02:26 PM	#5
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: byf 41 price check (before buy) Mike, I am glad Johhny came in with the other parts that cannot be verified until it is field stripped, I forgot about those. If it has the correct plastic grips, and is not imort marked, it sure sounds correct. The price is still good, even with a mismatched part. Keep us informaed if you buy the pistol and if it is all matching or not if you buy. I would buy the pistol myself. Marvin

07-22-2001, 04:17 PM	#6
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Compare price with my new byf 42 Sounds like a pretty decent price to me in light of what I just paid for my new (and I do mean "new") byf 42. This is a 99+% gun in absolutely superb condition, as if it just came off the assembly line. Completely matching, of course, with two mint FXO mags, Mauser marked tool, and an absolutely mint black holster, marked WaA 195, manufacturer coded "epf" and dated 1941. It is identical to an outfit I turned down fifteen years ago at $900, except that this time I paid $1750 and was glad to get it at almost any price.

08-01-2001, 12:11 AM	#7
mikeruth User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: byf 41 price check (before buy) I am back with two more questions. I have looked at the Luger (see previous note below) and it appears that all numbers match. The FXO marked mag also has a correct looking proof mark, but no serial number. The frame has a half inch scratch (white metal) on the left top rail. This is the only bad mark on the gun. I know that this is a value killer. How much? The proof marks on the frame are very light (depth). Could this mean a refinish job on the frame? I do not know what the proof marks ahould look like (deep, shallow). The proof marks that are there look correct (per photos I have seen). P.S. The owner now says that he wants $850. I think $700 is a better price, but I am no expert. Help! =========================================================== Hi, another newbe here. I have wanted a Luger for years but kept putting off buying one. I have a chance to buy a 1941 byf with black plastic grips, 95-98%, and matching numbers on the outside (owner does not want to take it down). It has one mag marked fxo (if I remember correctly). The asking price is $700. Does this sound OK? Also, I have noticed the VOPO comments on this board. How do I tell a refinished gun? Anything else that I sould look for (on the outside)?

08-01-2001, 07:53 AM	#8
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: byf 41 price check (before buy) Mike, The magazine sounds like a field replacement and this is OK. Other than the scratch it sounds real nice. As to the proof marks, most of the ones I see from this era have a "shallow" appearance rather than the sharp stamps we like to see. I attribute this to the wear on the stamp and gives an appearance of being shallow. They probably are OK. If you can get the pistol for $700; definetly go for it! At $850, you are on the top price side, but a fair value. Marvin

08-01-2001, 10:16 AM	#9
mikeruth User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: byf 41 price check (before buy) Thank you for the help.