Black Widow byf41

breedlih · 03-01-2004, 08:09 PM

I recently acquired a byf 41 Black Widow luger serial # 7996 (no prefix or suffix).All matching numbers except magazine which has an aluminum bottom and is stamped 9697, a waffenampt 83 and what looks like either a "U" or "N" in italics.The bakelite grips are definitely original.Any ideas as to value? Thanks in advance.

Roadkill · 03-01-2004, 10:37 PM

Welcome to the forum, the value of a gun is difficult to ascertain without additional information. I'll make a few observations which affect value: what is the condition of the gun? Have you completely disassembled it to check the numbers on on the parts that should have them? Has the gun been refinished or "boosted" in any way to improve its appearance? How do you know the grips are original? Are you new to Lugers or is this the first one you have aquired? I'm not trying to be anal but perspective is relative in determining the value of a object. The only way to get a true approximate of value is to have people with different perspectives appraise it. Photos would be of great assistance.I'm a shooter guy, as long as I can take a gun out to wherever I can shoot it I'm happy. Others here (many with a limited sense of humor) are true collectors. They will never shoot their guns because it possibly could devalue it if a part was broken. They would be much more critical with their apprasial than mine. Once again, welcome, please provide more information. (Ask Tom A to assist with photos if you have any problems posting them)

rk

Mike Fitz · 03-03-2004, 02:09 PM

Shouldn't the magazines for a byf41 be marked on the left side fxo eagle/37 & P08 with either the aluminum bottoms (numbered or un-numbered armourer replacemts) or with the black plastic bottoms?

Mike

Arminius · 03-14-2004, 01:39 PM

Recently a byf, vgc, nrgl ( numbers matching ), fine bore, two fitting mags with alu bottom plus holster coded 41 and tool went for Ã¢?Â¬ 2000 - sigh

Hermann

Frank · 03-14-2004, 04:45 PM

Hi Brad, welcome!! The magazine is most likely a "N" and is proper for a 1938 or 1939 S/42 Luger.

Mike is correct, you should have a "fxo" magazine which is not numbered, with either an aluminum or black plastic bottom.

Look on the right side of the receiver. There are 3 marks, beginning at the rear, the first and second are acceptance marks and the most forward is a proof mark. Check the first two. They should be both stick wing eagle-over-135. If that is true, only about 4000 byf 41 Lugers are so marked and go for a slight premium.

The value of the Luger depends on condition. If you could estimate the percentage of original blue or post some photos, we can give you an approximate value.

03-01-2004, 08:09 PM	#1
breedlih New User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: georgia Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Black Widow byf41 I recently acquired a byf 41 Black Widow luger serial # 7996 (no prefix or suffix).All matching numbers except magazine which has an aluminum bottom and is stamped 9697, a waffenampt 83 and what looks like either a "U" or "N" in italics.The bakelite grips are definitely original.Any ideas as to value? Thanks in advance.

03-01-2004, 10:37 PM	#2
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Welcome to the forum, the value of a gun is difficult to ascertain without additional information. I'll make a few observations which affect value: what is the condition of the gun? Have you completely disassembled it to check the numbers on on the parts that should have them? Has the gun been refinished or "boosted" in any way to improve its appearance? How do you know the grips are original? Are you new to Lugers or is this the first one you have aquired? I'm not trying to be anal but perspective is relative in determining the value of a object. The only way to get a true approximate of value is to have people with different perspectives appraise it. Photos would be of great assistance.I'm a shooter guy, as long as I can take a gun out to wherever I can shoot it I'm happy. Others here (many with a limited sense of humor) are true collectors. They will never shoot their guns because it possibly could devalue it if a part was broken. They would be much more critical with their apprasial than mine. Once again, welcome, please provide more information. (Ask Tom A to assist with photos if you have any problems posting them) rk

03-03-2004, 02:09 PM	#3
Mike Fitz User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Leonia, NJ Posts: 79 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Shouldn't the magazines for a byf41 be marked on the left side fxo eagle/37 & P08 with either the aluminum bottoms (numbered or un-numbered armourer replacemts) or with the black plastic bottoms? Mike

03-14-2004, 01:39 PM	#4
Arminius User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Austria Posts: 48 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Recently a byf, vgc, nrgl ( numbers matching ), fine bore, two fitting mags with alu bottom plus holster coded 41 and tool went for Ã¢?Â¬ 2000 - sigh Hermann

03-14-2004, 04:45 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	Hi Brad, welcome!! The magazine is most likely a "N" and is proper for a 1938 or 1939 S/42 Luger. Mike is correct, you should have a "fxo" magazine which is not numbered, with either an aluminum or black plastic bottom. Look on the right side of the receiver. There are 3 marks, beginning at the rear, the first and second are acceptance marks and the most forward is a proof mark. Check the first two. They should be both stick wing eagle-over-135. If that is true, only about 4000 byf 41 Lugers are so marked and go for a slight premium. The value of the Luger depends on condition. If you could estimate the percentage of original blue or post some photos, we can give you an approximate value.