A few pics of my 1939 42. Any info appreciated!

Dale914 · 08-15-2013, 10:22 PM

I just got this and I'm curious as to the value/ what's wrong/what's right etc. also" I'm considering the notion of making some grips (so that I don't further wear out the original), and get a nicely made carry holster for it. Oh, this also came with a 1934 Carl Heinrich? Dresden holster without the internal strap, tool or second magazine. Thanks for any info/ input!

Dale914 · 08-15-2013, 10:24 PM

Dale914 · 08-15-2013, 10:25 PM

Dale914 · 08-15-2013, 10:27 PM

Dale914 · 08-15-2013, 10:28 PM

Dale914 · 08-15-2013, 10:30 PM

Dale914 · 08-15-2013, 10:31 PM

Dale914 · 08-15-2013, 10:33 PM

The idea of the carry holster is an outside of the waist band conceal or open

alanint · 08-15-2013, 11:09 PM

An all-matching, (including Magazine!) 1939 42 pistol should NOT be your choice for a carry pistol, for too many reasons to list, (research the site, this topic comes up often!)

Invest $500 and get a Glock, Springfield Armory, Taurus or other carry pistol you can stake your life on.

The romance of carrying a Luger will seem very silly when you truly need it.

The only thing a collector Luger carry gun is better than is no pistol at all.

Dale914 · 08-15-2013, 11:12 PM

Alanint, for every valid reason against carrying a luger, I feel that the same reason could be said about carrying a 1911 or a High Power (except capacity)... But any clue on the value range? Anyone want to trade holsters for a 1939?

Dale914 · 08-15-2013, 11:13 PM

Regardless, Alanint, thank you for your perspective

DavidJayUden · 08-16-2013, 12:19 AM

I'll give you reasons.
You can't conceal the toggle block on a Luger. Too large, square and wide. It will print your shirt big-time.
You can not take the safety off a Luger quickly with your shooting hand as you pull it out. On both the 1911 and the Hi-Power you can take the safety off as it is rising with your shooting thumb. Try that with a Luger.
Front sight is too tall and will snag clothing.
You can't pick up the rear sight quickly unless you are under good light and your eyes are no older than 18 years.
You may be enamored with the idea of carrying a matching Luger as a carry gun. But it is a really, really bad idea.
Oh yah, IMHO.
dju

Dale914 · 08-16-2013, 12:53 AM

Thanks David.
So, friends, carrying aside, I'm interested to learn about what is good/bad/significant/insignificant about this 39 as I'm definitely new to the luger scene. One assumedly dumb question is why doesn't it say byf?

Zorba · 08-16-2013, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale914

One assumedly dumb question is why doesn't it say byf?

Mauser didn't start using the byf mfg code until 1941.

Victor R. · 08-16-2013, 01:26 AM

I'm brand new at this, too, but have been doing a lot of study the last several days, so can attempt the "byf" answer: byf was a Mauser code used at a later date (1941 and after, I think), while "42" was in use from early/mid 1939 up until "byf" code came into play. I'm sure more learned members will correct me if I got any of the dates wrong.

Also, it does seem that your left grip is a replacement - the number appears to be either a "10" or a "70" rather than "28". Can't completely make out the right grip, but definitely see a "2" with another digit, so it is likely at least the right number, and probably original. Don't know how much this might impact value on an otherwise matching gun with at least one matching mag.

Dale914 · 08-16-2013, 02:02 AM

Victor, I can't find any stamps on the left grip, it looks like at some point someone carved their initials Q.L. So I don't know what impact that has...

alanint · 08-16-2013, 06:04 AM

Your Luger is worth somewhere in the $1,400-$1,800 ballpark in today's market, which is soft.

Another reason not to carry this Luger is that it is original and Matching, including mag. Holster wear, sweat and constant handling will diminish the value of this virtually untouched piece of history.

I'm not sure if all 1939 guns had numbered grips.

Victor R. · 08-16-2013, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale914

Victor, I can't find any stamps on the left grip, it looks like at some point someone carved their initials Q.L. So I don't know what impact that has...

Mine is also a 1939, but an S/42, meaning it was manufactured earlier than yours, before the change to "42" code stamp. Both of my grips have a "55" stamped into them, right around the spot where the "2" is on your right grip and the "QL" is on your left, so the carving may have obliterated. As I mentioned, I don't know that this does anything terrible from a value perspective (someone else would have to speak to that), but the fact that everything else is matching, including a mag, and the overall condition, gives you a gun that I'm guessing many in the forum would be more than happy to own.

08-15-2013, 10:22 PM	#1
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A few pics of my 1939 42. Any info appreciated! I just got this and I'm curious as to the value/ what's wrong/what's right etc. also" I'm considering the notion of making some grips (so that I don't further wear out the original), and get a nicely made carry holster for it. Oh, this also came with a 1934 Carl Heinrich? Dresden holster without the internal strap, tool or second magazine. Thanks for any info/ input!

08-15-2013, 10:24 PM	#2
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

08-15-2013, 10:25 PM	#3
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

08-15-2013, 10:27 PM	#4
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

08-15-2013, 10:28 PM	#5
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

08-15-2013, 10:30 PM	#6
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

08-15-2013, 10:31 PM	#7
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

08-15-2013, 10:33 PM	#8
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The idea of the carry holster is an outside of the waist band conceal or open

08-15-2013, 11:09 PM	#9
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	An all-matching, (including Magazine!) 1939 42 pistol should NOT be your choice for a carry pistol, for too many reasons to list, (research the site, this topic comes up often!) Invest $500 and get a Glock, Springfield Armory, Taurus or other carry pistol you can stake your life on. The romance of carrying a Luger will seem very silly when you truly need it. The only thing a collector Luger carry gun is better than is no pistol at all.

08-15-2013, 11:12 PM	#10
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Alanint, for every valid reason against carrying a luger, I feel that the same reason could be said about carrying a 1911 or a High Power (except capacity)... But any clue on the value range? Anyone want to trade holsters for a 1939?

08-15-2013, 11:13 PM	#11
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Regardless, Alanint, thank you for your perspective

08-16-2013, 12:19 AM	#12
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'll give you reasons. You can't conceal the toggle block on a Luger. Too large, square and wide. It will print your shirt big-time. You can not take the safety off a Luger quickly with your shooting hand as you pull it out. On both the 1911 and the Hi-Power you can take the safety off as it is rising with your shooting thumb. Try that with a Luger. Front sight is too tall and will snag clothing. You can't pick up the rear sight quickly unless you are under good light and your eyes are no older than 18 years. You may be enamored with the idea of carrying a matching Luger as a carry gun. But it is a really, really bad idea. Oh yah, IMHO. dju

08-16-2013, 12:53 AM	#13
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks David. So, friends, carrying aside, I'm interested to learn about what is good/bad/significant/insignificant about this 39 as I'm definitely new to the luger scene. One assumedly dumb question is why doesn't it say byf?

08-16-2013, 01:26 AM	#15
Victor R. User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Spring, Texas Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm brand new at this, too, but have been doing a lot of study the last several days, so can attempt the "byf" answer: byf was a Mauser code used at a later date (1941 and after, I think), while "42" was in use from early/mid 1939 up until "byf" code came into play. I'm sure more learned members will correct me if I got any of the dates wrong. Also, it does seem that your left grip is a replacement - the number appears to be either a "10" or a "70" rather than "28". Can't completely make out the right grip, but definitely see a "2" with another digit, so it is likely at least the right number, and probably original. Don't know how much this might impact value on an otherwise matching gun with at least one matching mag.

08-16-2013, 02:02 AM	#16
Dale914 User Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Victor, I can't find any stamps on the left grip, it looks like at some point someone carved their initials Q.L. So I don't know what impact that has...

08-16-2013, 06:04 AM	#17
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Your Luger is worth somewhere in the $1,400-$1,800 ballpark in today's market, which is soft. Another reason not to carry this Luger is that it is original and Matching, including mag. Holster wear, sweat and constant handling will diminish the value of this virtually untouched piece of history. I'm not sure if all 1939 guns had numbered grips.