FXO vs. numbered magazines

[bdmatson]

Hello again,

Would someone be able to explain or point me to information on when FXO stamped magazines were issued versus magazines numbered to a gun? I have seen many with numbers-matching magazines but also ones with FXO stamped magazines. I am still searching for my first P08 and am trying to find one as original as possible.

Thanks.

[Edward Tinker]

When saying one as original as possible, ensure you know what you want.

I am assuming WWII era, early 1940's?

So, it depends, some byf come both ways. People like the fxo black bottom because it makes them "matched" so much easier.

If saying original, as brought back or used, you might get something different.

[DavidJayUden]

I can't be specific, but it seems like the un-numbered FXO mags. turn up with the 1941 and 1942 guns. I don't know if there was a certain serial number where the change-over was made. But IMHO any 1941 or 1942 with either correctly numbered mags or un-numbered plastic mags could be correct.
Not as definitive as we would all like, but...
dju

[Neil Young]

Un-numbered aluminum based fxo 37 magazines are okay too.

[guns3545]

Its generally accepted that serial numbers were not applied to magazine bottoms around the end of the u-block in 1941.

The Haenel manufacturer's code was changed from 122 to fxo beyond the p-block in 1941.

Between these two points fxo magazines had aluminum bottoms which were either serialized or not. Both are found.

The black bottom fxo magazine is seen generally beyond the u-block in 1941 and carries forward into 1942. These were typically not serialized.

There are a few examples of serialized black bottom fxo magazines but these are the exception rather than the rule.

All of the above are norms because gun manufacturers are notorious for not wasting anything so if they found some older issue magazines they fed them into production. So exceptions to the above rules are to be expected. For example in 1942, one occasionally sees a type 5, blued bodied aluminum body, un-serialized magazine with a 42 byf.

Hope this helps.

John

[bdmatson]

I am looking at a "Code 41-42" gun which I understand was manufactured in January 1941. The gun has two FXO, plastic bottom magazines. Based on the above comments I am guessing that originally this gun was issued with serial numbered magazines that have been replaced with the FXO magazines. Would this be correct? Or could this gun have originally been issued the FXO magazines?

Thanks for your comments and knowledge. I am learning a lot from you all.

[tharpo]

You are correct. A 41-42 would have been issued two matching serial numbered aluminum bottom magazines. Most likely 122 stamped depending on the guns letter suffix.

[guns3545]

You are correct. the 41/42 were issued with code 122, extruded body, aluminum based magazines which were no doubt serialized to the gun. Just FYI, my collection includes a p-block (very late) 41/42 with these magazines

Haenel's code was 122 at the beginning of 1941.

There were a lot of things happening at the start of 1941 and the changes took weeks and months to implement.

Hence the sub-variation 41-42 at Mauser. If everything happened on 1/1/41 it would have been 41 byf.

Same with Haenel. They were code 122, should have changed to fxo on 1/1/41. Did not. Plus, when they changed it to fxo, they were still using aluminum bottoms. The plastic black bottoms came later.

John

PS: Whoops!! Sorry Tom. Stepped on your post. Must have replied within seconds of each other.

John