Grips on byf 42 Luger

Balder · 05-11-2004, 10:35 AM

Gentlemen,

I have inherited a 1942 Mauser byf Luger from a relative who recently died. He disarmed a German NCO or officer during the liberation of Norway in May 1945 and has had it ever since. It is all matching and in pretty good shape, although I was at first a bit disappointed with the black plastic (bakelite?) grips. Then I came to think of the fact that I haven't seen too many plastic grips and then only on VOPO Lugers that came out of former East Germany. I assume that these grips are the original ones since it's been in the family since 1945. The magazine is fxo and the pistol came with a very nice brown Luger holster made by R. Ehrhardt in 1939. Does anybody know more about this gun in general and its grips in particular? There are no markings present on the grips.
I can post more pictures if necessary.

Thanks!

Balder

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/nluger_007.jpg

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/nluger_009.jpg

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/nluger_010.jpg

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/nluger_011.jpg

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/nluger_012.jpg

Frank · 05-11-2004, 10:52 AM

Your pistol (Serial Number 9543e) was completed in approximately May 1942. Everything appears to me legitimate, including the grips and magazine.

The only way to confirm the grips is to remove them from the frame and check the inside for threaded holes. If they are the same size as the grip screw thread, you have an original set of black bakelite grips.

WARNING: Be very careful if you insert the grip screw into the Bakelite Material. Too much tightening torque could strip the threads and ruin the grips!!!!!

If you do a search for Balelite Grips or Black Widow Grips, you will find photos of these grips. The term "Black Widow" was coined by a US Dealer and doesn't represent an official term!!!

Balder · 05-11-2004, 11:07 AM

Frank,

Thanks for a very quick response, highly appreciated. In deed there are threaded holes on the inside of the grips but one is slightly larger than the grip screw thread; this one seems to have its threads damaged. The other one at first appears too big because the screw goes all the way in without twisting. Then, when turning it after it has been seated, the screw locks up with the threads. Do you happen to know why these holes are there, I can't see any purpose other than serving as a place to store the screws if the grips are removed.

Is this a rare variant of the Luger?

Balder

Frank · 05-11-2004, 05:21 PM

Balder, as far as I know the black Bakelite Grip is not a rare varient. Estimates that somewhere around 10 to 20 percent of the late byf 41 and the byf 42 Lugers may have had these grips.

saxman · 05-11-2004, 10:11 PM

What a great-looking Black Widow, if you'll pardon the term; I don't know who coined it, but it's here to stay. You have a beautiful and valuable Luger. To save time and costs, they started making these with a dipped blue (black) finish, no strawed parts and black composition grips and mag bottom. In the last thirty years, more of these have turned up than were probably ever made, if you get the picture. It's great to see a real one.

05-11-2004, 10:35 AM	#1
Balder User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 288 Thanks: 20 Thanked 34 Times in 19 Posts	Grips on byf 42 Luger Gentlemen, I have inherited a 1942 Mauser byf Luger from a relative who recently died. He disarmed a German NCO or officer during the liberation of Norway in May 1945 and has had it ever since. It is all matching and in pretty good shape, although I was at first a bit disappointed with the black plastic (bakelite?) grips. Then I came to think of the fact that I haven't seen too many plastic grips and then only on VOPO Lugers that came out of former East Germany. I assume that these grips are the original ones since it's been in the family since 1945. The magazine is fxo and the pistol came with a very nice brown Luger holster made by R. Ehrhardt in 1939. Does anybody know more about this gun in general and its grips in particular? There are no markings present on the grips. I can post more pictures if necessary. Thanks! Balder http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/nluger_007.jpg http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/nluger_009.jpg http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/nluger_010.jpg http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/nluger_011.jpg http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/nluger_012.jpg

05-11-2004, 10:11 PM	#5
saxman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 301 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What a great-looking Black Widow, if you'll pardon the term; I don't know who coined it, but it's here to stay. You have a beautiful and valuable Luger. To save time and costs, they started making these with a dipped blue (black) finish, no strawed parts and black composition grips and mag bottom. In the last thirty years, more of these have turned up than were probably ever made, if you get the picture. It's great to see a real one. __________________ You can lead 'em to the water, but you can't make 'em drink.

05-11-2004, 10:52 AM	#2
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	Your pistol (Serial Number 9543e) was completed in approximately May 1942. Everything appears to me legitimate, including the grips and magazine. The only way to confirm the grips is to remove them from the frame and check the inside for threaded holes. If they are the same size as the grip screw thread, you have an original set of black bakelite grips. WARNING: Be very careful if you insert the grip screw into the Bakelite Material. Too much tightening torque could strip the threads and ruin the grips!!!!! If you do a search for Balelite Grips or Black Widow Grips, you will find photos of these grips. The term "Black Widow" was coined by a US Dealer and doesn't represent an official term!!!

05-11-2004, 11:07 AM	#3
Balder User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 288 Thanks: 20 Thanked 34 Times in 19 Posts	Frank, Thanks for a very quick response, highly appreciated. In deed there are threaded holes on the inside of the grips but one is slightly larger than the grip screw thread; this one seems to have its threads damaged. The other one at first appears too big because the screw goes all the way in without twisting. Then, when turning it after it has been seated, the screw locks up with the threads. Do you happen to know why these holes are there, I can't see any purpose other than serving as a place to store the screws if the grips are removed. Is this a rare variant of the Luger? Balder

05-11-2004, 05:21 PM	#4
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	Balder, as far as I know the black Bakelite Grip is not a rare varient. Estimates that somewhere around 10 to 20 percent of the late byf 41 and the byf 42 Lugers may have had these grips.