10" Barrel byf 41

Dwight Gruber · 04-03-2004, 03:57 PM

I picked up this Luger at the Portland gun show last weekend. It is way out of my collecting interest, but the price was right--well, it was OK--an I was too intrigued to pass it up.

It is a byf 41, all matching, in not too bad of condition except for a tragically removed stock lug and the addition of a 10-1/4" barrel in .30 Luger and a Marbles front sight. My guess is that it is a rifle barrel, there is no clue except for a T and a C stamped on the barrel shoulder; my guess is that these are a gunsmith's marks.It is really quite a professional-looking job.

The grips did not come on the gun, but they seemed much more apropriate than originals. They are very nicely made, but have no maker identification.

I haven't shot this Luger yet, I took it to the range only to discover that I didn't have any .30 ammunition with me <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> I'll post a shooting report soon.

--Dwight

mauro · 04-03-2004, 04:10 PM

Dwight,
interesting modification. Do you know when this customisation was made?
Ciao
Mauro

Edward Tinker · 04-03-2004, 04:37 PM

I like it Dwight, the grips and barrel go well together.

Ed

Dwight Gruber · 04-03-2004, 05:07 PM

Mauro,

Don't have a clue. Bought it off a vendor's table, he got it when he bought a bunch of Colt revolvers, which are his main interest--he had no idea of its origin.

--Dwight

Doubs · 04-03-2004, 06:03 PM

I'm as impressed with the apparent quality, fit & finish of the grips as I am with the barrel..... which is very nice and interesting in it's own right. I like it!

wterrell · 04-03-2004, 06:05 PM

Dwight,
beautiful grips. Wood?
I agree with Ed, that is a well balanced pistol.

Dwight Gruber · 04-03-2004, 08:04 PM

Yep, grips are wood. Couldn't tell you what kind, though.

--Dwight

wterrell · 04-03-2004, 09:30 PM

now THAT really twists a knot in my shorts!
Box 'em up and ship them to me. (overnight)

Ron Wood · 04-03-2004, 09:40 PM

Those are great grips. I'm going to make a pair of those when I get my shop set up again! I have been looking at ideas for good target grips, and these fit the bill. Kind of reminds me of the "elephant ear" grips of the old Colt Woodsman Bullseye Target .22. Could you please post front and back pictures of the grips on the gun to see how they are fit to the grip straps? Particularly the front grip strap since they obviously wrap around in front (and maybe in the back at the bottom also?). It would be most appreciated.

Dean · 04-04-2004, 01:13 AM

I'm a grip maker as well, and I would also like to see some close up shots of those grips. There appears to be some linear checkering on the thumb rest.

This looks like a fun gun to shoot at the range. Looking forward to your range report.

Dwight Gruber · 04-05-2004, 06:01 AM

Got to the range today, -with- .30 ammo.

Its a very interesting gun to shoot. The barrel is quite thin, not a lot of mass sticking out there for 10 inches, and so is very stable--recoil is very much "rearward". It seems pretty accurate, but the trigger pull is atrocious--long takeup, doesn't trip until almost full length of trigger pull--bad even for a Luger. This can be adjusted, of course, but makes it difficult to truly assess accuracy in the meantime. The grips are very hand-filling, I don't know how much they have to do with the "shootability" of this piece, I'll probably put on a standard pair of grips and make the comparison.

One of the things which occurred to me today is to be suspicious of the consistency of Fiocci ammo. I had a couple of boxes with me, started out finishing up a half-box which wouldn't cycle the action far enough to eject the shells--they'd just slide back into the chamber, so I ended up shooting as a single-shot--not a lot of fun.

When this box was used up I broke into another and, surprise, the first round ejected! I loaded up a full magazine, cycled through the entire mag with no problem, continued to do so through the rest of the session. This must represent quite a bit hotter loading of what should have been identical rounds.

--Dwight

Dwight Gruber · 04-05-2004, 12:20 PM

Here are details of the grips. They are pictured temporarily on my 1917 LP-08 so that the fitting details around the stock lug can be seen.

--Dwight

Craig · 04-05-2004, 12:36 PM

Gentlemen
I to would be interested in a set of grips like that for a shooting Luger I just bought. If one of the custom grip makers on the forum could copy them there might be a market.

Craig

Ron Wood · 04-05-2004, 01:43 PM

Dwight,
Thank you for the great photos. The individual that made those grips was a pretty good craftsman, lots of fitting and attention to detail. There may need to be a bit of modification to the basic design make them slightly more sturdy, but it is a good guide for a start.
Again, thank you very much for sharing these neat grips.
Ron

Edward Tinker · 04-05-2004, 02:17 PM

Craig, I have made several sets of grips for a 1911A1 colt and also a Molina. The Luger is a nightmare, in the sense of lots of fitting, ups and downs, and cut out area for the safety, mag release etc. That is why the mass produced ones are a sloppy fit, there are too many variations out there.

I have been looking for some antler grips for a while, and they are expensive, due to the complexity (that and I was slow on the draw when offered!

)

Ed

lfid · 12-23-2014, 01:34 AM

Dwight,
any chance you could repost the grips pictures discussed in this historical thread ?

thanks
Bill

sheepherder · 12-23-2014, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfid

Dwight,
any chance you could repost the grips pictures discussed in this historical thread ?

I for one would like to see the pics of the whole 10" barreled Luger...

Edward Tinker · 12-23-2014, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfid

Dwight,
any chance you could repost the grips pictures discussed in this historical thread ?

thanks
Bill

Its 10 year old posting - I would bet that he no longer has this luger

sheepherder · 12-23-2014, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Its 10 year old posting - I would bet that he no longer has this luger

But does he have the pics???

hayhugh · 12-23-2014, 08:09 AM

Interesting read but would be a lot better with photos!

04-03-2004, 03:57 PM	#1
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	10" Barrel byf 41 I picked up this Luger at the Portland gun show last weekend. It is way out of my collecting interest, but the price was right--well, it was OK--an I was too intrigued to pass it up. It is a byf 41, all matching, in not too bad of condition except for a tragically removed stock lug and the addition of a 10-1/4" barrel in .30 Luger and a Marbles front sight. My guess is that it is a rifle barrel, there is no clue except for a T and a C stamped on the barrel shoulder; my guess is that these are a gunsmith's marks.It is really quite a professional-looking job. The grips did not come on the gun, but they seemed much more apropriate than originals. They are very nicely made, but have no maker identification. I haven't shot this Luger yet, I took it to the range only to discover that I didn't have any .30 ammunition with me <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> I'll post a shooting report soon. --Dwight

04-03-2004, 04:10 PM	#2
mauro FIREARM HISTORIAN AND AUT Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 106 Thanked 349 Times in 129 Posts	Dwight, interesting modification. Do you know when this customisation was made? Ciao Mauro __________________ Mauro Baudino - www.lugerlp08.com www.paul-mauser-archive.com Mauser Company and Firearm Historian - Mauser Parabellum Certification Service.

04-03-2004, 04:37 PM	#3
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	I like it Dwight, the grips and barrel go well together. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

04-03-2004, 06:05 PM	#6
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Dwight, beautiful grips. Wood? I agree with Ed, that is a well balanced pistol. __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

04-03-2004, 09:30 PM	#8
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	now THAT really twists a knot in my shorts! Box 'em up and ship them to me. (overnight) __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

04-03-2004, 05:07 PM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Mauro, Don't have a clue. Bought it off a vendor's table, he got it when he bought a bunch of Colt revolvers, which are his main interest--he had no idea of its origin. --Dwight

04-03-2004, 06:03 PM	#5
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,700 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,692 Times in 555 Posts	I'm as impressed with the apparent quality, fit & finish of the grips as I am with the barrel..... which is very nice and interesting in it's own right. I like it!

04-03-2004, 08:04 PM	#7
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Yep, grips are wood. Couldn't tell you what kind, though. --Dwight

04-03-2004, 09:40 PM	#9
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	Those are great grips. I'm going to make a pair of those when I get my shop set up again! I have been looking at ideas for good target grips, and these fit the bill. Kind of reminds me of the "elephant ear" grips of the old Colt Woodsman Bullseye Target .22. Could you please post front and back pictures of the grips on the gun to see how they are fit to the grip straps? Particularly the front grip strap since they obviously wrap around in front (and maybe in the back at the bottom also?). It would be most appreciated. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-04-2004, 01:13 AM	#10
Dean User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: PA Posts: 132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm a grip maker as well, and I would also like to see some close up shots of those grips. There appears to be some linear checkering on the thumb rest. This looks like a fun gun to shoot at the range. Looking forward to your range report. __________________ Carpe Diem, Parabellum

04-05-2004, 06:01 AM	#11
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Got to the range today, -with- .30 ammo. Its a very interesting gun to shoot. The barrel is quite thin, not a lot of mass sticking out there for 10 inches, and so is very stable--recoil is very much "rearward". It seems pretty accurate, but the trigger pull is atrocious--long takeup, doesn't trip until almost full length of trigger pull--bad even for a Luger. This can be adjusted, of course, but makes it difficult to truly assess accuracy in the meantime. The grips are very hand-filling, I don't know how much they have to do with the "shootability" of this piece, I'll probably put on a standard pair of grips and make the comparison. One of the things which occurred to me today is to be suspicious of the consistency of Fiocci ammo. I had a couple of boxes with me, started out finishing up a half-box which wouldn't cycle the action far enough to eject the shells--they'd just slide back into the chamber, so I ended up shooting as a single-shot--not a lot of fun. When this box was used up I broke into another and, surprise, the first round ejected! I loaded up a full magazine, cycled through the entire mag with no problem, continued to do so through the rest of the session. This must represent quite a bit hotter loading of what should have been identical rounds. --Dwight

04-05-2004, 12:20 PM	#12
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Here are details of the grips. They are pictured temporarily on my 1917 LP-08 so that the fitting details around the stock lug can be seen. --Dwight

04-05-2004, 12:36 PM	#13
Craig User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 58 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Gentlemen I to would be interested in a set of grips like that for a shooting Luger I just bought. If one of the custom grip makers on the forum could copy them there might be a market. Craig __________________ In God we trust, all others we monitor!

04-05-2004, 01:43 PM	#14
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	Dwight, Thank you for the great photos. The individual that made those grips was a pretty good craftsman, lots of fitting and attention to detail. There may need to be a bit of modification to the basic design make them slightly more sturdy, but it is a good guide for a start. Again, thank you very much for sharing these neat grips. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-05-2004, 02:17 PM	#15
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	Craig, I have made several sets of grips for a 1911A1 colt and also a Molina. The Luger is a nightmare, in the sense of lots of fitting, ups and downs, and cut out area for the safety, mag release etc. That is why the mass produced ones are a sloppy fit, there are too many variations out there. I have been looking for some antler grips for a while, and they are expensive, due to the complexity (that and I was slow on the draw when offered! ) Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

12-23-2014, 01:34 AM	#16
lfid Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wichita, KS USA Posts: 453 Thanks: 573 Thanked 96 Times in 53 Posts	Dwight, any chance you could repost the grips pictures discussed in this historical thread ? thanks Bill

12-23-2014, 08:09 AM	#20
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 896 Thanks: 857 Thanked 513 Times in 275 Posts	Interesting read but would be a lot better with photos!