Letter Suffix

08-24-2001, 11:52 PM

O.K. I give up!!!!

I have tried to find information on what the letter suffix means. I have a Mauser 42 s/n 12xx s. What is the best all in one source for information on Lugers? (besides this wonderful forum

Johnny Peppers · 08-25-2001, 12:27 AM

Ken,

The letter suffix was started on the military Lugers where production was high. The first 9999 pistols for a given year had no letter suffix. The next 9999 pistols had an a suffix, the next 9999 a b suffix, and so on with the normal exception of the j as it hard to distinguish from the i. It was a means by which serial numbers could be kept to a maximum of four digits, yet still give each pistol a unique serial number. In WWI this started over at the beginning of each year, but in WWII they did not start over at the beginning of the year. They continued the suffix uninterrupted, but did change the date over the chamber.

Marvin · 08-25-2001, 09:39 AM

Ken,

Johnny gave you some good info on the suffix letters, but you might want to consider buying the book by Jan Still, "Third Reich Lugers". This is one of the best books available on this era Lugers. There is also a chart in the book which shows all the serial numbers and their respective suffix letters. The book is available from most gun book dealers for a little less than $60 and well worth the price. If you are interested in the Imperial and Weimar Lugers, Jan also has books avialable for these eras also.

Marvin

08-24-2001, 11:52 PM	#1
Ken F. Guest Posts: n/a	Letter Suffix O.K. I give up!!!! I have tried to find information on what the letter suffix means. I have a Mauser 42 s/n 12xx s. What is the best all in one source for information on Lugers? (besides this wonderful forum

08-25-2001, 12:27 AM	#2
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Letter Suffix Ken, The letter suffix was started on the military Lugers where production was high. The first 9999 pistols for a given year had no letter suffix. The next 9999 pistols had an a suffix, the next 9999 a b suffix, and so on with the normal exception of the j as it hard to distinguish from the i. It was a means by which serial numbers could be kept to a maximum of four digits, yet still give each pistol a unique serial number. In WWI this started over at the beginning of each year, but in WWII they did not start over at the beginning of the year. They continued the suffix uninterrupted, but did change the date over the chamber.

08-25-2001, 09:39 AM	#3
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Letter Suffix Ken, Johnny gave you some good info on the suffix letters, but you might want to consider buying the book by Jan Still, "Third Reich Lugers". This is one of the best books available on this era Lugers. There is also a chart in the book which shows all the serial numbers and their respective suffix letters. The book is available from most gun book dealers for a little less than $60 and well worth the price. If you are interested in the Imperial and Weimar Lugers, Jan also has books avialable for these eras also. Marvin