Just bought a Luger...need some help!

stu398 · 12-10-2006, 05:25 PM

Evening all,
I bought myself a 1939 dated S/42 Luger recently, and although I know the basics, I was wondering if someone would be able to help me decipher the markings?
Any help would be very much apprciated!
Links to photos:

http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ture001ad4.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6...ture002em9.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7...ture003nm8.jpg
http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/2...ture004tv8.jpg
http://img418.imageshack.us/img418/7...ture005wc1.jpg

Cheers all,
Stu

stu398 · 12-12-2006, 12:01 PM

Anyone got any ideas? I'm very interested as what these mean, and am struggling to find anything...

John Sabato · 12-12-2006, 12:18 PM

Stu, your photographs do not show enough clear detail. Please retake them in sharp focus. If you camera has a macro capability use that.

The best way to photograph it is without flash, outside on a contrasting background on an overcast day... use a tripod to steady the camera or HOLD REAL STILL... the slightest shake will blur the detail.

stu398 · 12-12-2006, 02:32 PM

Cheers for the hint...hope these are better?

http://img379.imageshack.us/my.php?i...luger02fs2.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/721/stuluger3jm7.jpg
http://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?i...luger04vo2.jpg

If they aren't, i'll take some more.
Thanks for the help,
Stu

Aaron · 12-12-2006, 09:26 PM

Someone more knowledgeable will be along, but my opinion is that you have a force matched East German parts gun. Look for import marks.

Steinar · 12-13-2006, 08:36 AM

posted the pictures here, perhaps that would bring more response, hope it's ok.

Perhaps partly East German without the grips, frame mark and import markings..

stu398 · 12-13-2006, 12:01 PM

Cheers for putting the photos on here mate!
So, I'm confused, if my Luger is dated '1939' and 'S/42', how could it be East German?
I'm quite new to all this.
I really apprciaite the help guys.
Stu

Edward Tinker · 12-13-2006, 12:53 PM

After WW2 lugers were used by the police and army. The east germans used them (in addition you will hear "Russian capture", literally taken back to russia.)

It is best to post the pictures here, as photobucket and the like usually do not keep the photos there for very long.

We'd need better pictures to determine if it is real or an east german.

Ed

stu398 · 01-04-2007, 06:52 AM

Hi,
Sorry for the late reply, have been extremly busy over the last few weeks.
What would I need to take photo's of for you to be able to work out what it is? Also I have noticed that the marking with the crossed over swords (see above pictures) is on my Lee Enfield No 4 Mk 1, so I presume it is some sort of British marking?
I feel quite foolish, but like I said I am pretty clueless when it comes to Lugers, and handguns in general for that matter.
Apprciate the help mate,
Stu

Ron Smith · 01-04-2007, 09:59 AM

Stu,

I don't believe that is an EG mark. I have seen that proof before, but don't recall where. Does this Luger have any marks on the bottom or sides of the barrel? The crossed swords proof looks to be possibly British.

Ron

Ron Smith · 01-04-2007, 10:57 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tacfoley
Ron - The crossed swords are not swords, but sceptres, and are the proof marks of the Birmingham Proof House.

Hi Tac,

I just found the source of the mark and was coming back to post it. You beat me to it.

Ron

stu398 · 01-04-2007, 11:51 AM

Ahh, I thought so. And yes, I do have the deactivation certificate, don't you worry!
I wondered why it was also on the Lee Enfield.
Cheers Terry, apprciate it!
Stu

Big Norm · 01-05-2007, 04:53 PM

Tak,
this is just a request for information and not particularly applicable to this particular thread. A long time ago you posted that the laws are different for different parts of the UK. If memory serves me right, I think that you said that places like the Isle of Man, Scotland and so forth had different laws than, say, London. Would the laws that you quoted above be different for Stu who is from Scotland?

Just another whimsikal question. Canada, Japan, United Kingdom and Oregon (USA?). Is there a bounty on your head or something?

Big Norm

c3006 · 01-05-2007, 07:55 PM

Tac
I was wondering where you were born,your life sounds like it clicks along at a good pace. thanks clint

Balder · 01-06-2007, 02:19 PM

tac,

On a totally different note - I'll be in London Tues-Thurs next week (Jan 09-11). Do you happen to be in the vicinity and if so, are you up for a pint?

Balder

12-10-2006, 05:25 PM	#1
stu398 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just bought a Luger...need some help! Evening all, I bought myself a 1939 dated S/42 Luger recently, and although I know the basics, I was wondering if someone would be able to help me decipher the markings? Any help would be very much apprciated! Links to photos: http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ture001ad4.jpg http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6...ture002em9.jpg http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7...ture003nm8.jpg http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/2...ture004tv8.jpg http://img418.imageshack.us/img418/7...ture005wc1.jpg Cheers all, Stu

12-12-2006, 12:18 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	Stu, your photographs do not show enough clear detail. Please retake them in sharp focus. If you camera has a macro capability use that. The best way to photograph it is without flash, outside on a contrasting background on an overcast day... use a tripod to steady the camera or HOLD REAL STILL... the slightest shake will blur the detail. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

12-13-2006, 08:36 AM	#6
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	posted the pictures here, perhaps that would bring more response, hope it's ok. Perhaps partly East German without the grips, frame mark and import markings.. __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

12-13-2006, 12:53 PM	#8
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	After WW2 lugers were used by the police and army. The east germans used them (in addition you will hear "Russian capture", literally taken back to russia.) It is best to post the pictures here, as photobucket and the like usually do not keep the photos there for very long. We'd need better pictures to determine if it is real or an east german. 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

01-04-2007, 09:59 AM	#10
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Stu, I don't believe that is an EG mark. I have seen that proof before, but don't recall where. Does this Luger have any marks on the bottom or sides of the barrel? The crossed swords proof looks to be possibly British. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

12-12-2006, 12:01 PM	#2
stu398 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Anyone got any ideas? I'm very interested as what these mean, and am struggling to find anything...

12-12-2006, 02:32 PM	#4
stu398 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cheers for the hint...hope these are better? http://img379.imageshack.us/my.php?i...luger02fs2.jpg http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/721/stuluger3jm7.jpg http://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?i...luger04vo2.jpg If they aren't, i'll take some more. Thanks for the help, Stu

12-12-2006, 09:26 PM	#5
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Someone more knowledgeable will be along, but my opinion is that you have a force matched East German parts gun. Look for import marks.

12-13-2006, 12:01 PM	#7
stu398 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cheers for putting the photos on here mate! So, I'm confused, if my Luger is dated '1939' and 'S/42', how could it be East German? I'm quite new to all this. I really apprciaite the help guys. Stu

01-04-2007, 06:52 AM	#9
stu398 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi, Sorry for the late reply, have been extremly busy over the last few weeks. What would I need to take photo's of for you to be able to work out what it is? Also I have noticed that the marking with the crossed over swords (see above pictures) is on my Lee Enfield No 4 Mk 1, so I presume it is some sort of British marking? I feel quite foolish, but like I said I am pretty clueless when it comes to Lugers, and handguns in general for that matter. Apprciate the help mate, Stu

01-04-2007, 10:57 AM	#11
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	[QUOTE]Originally posted by tacfoley Ron - The crossed swords are not swords, but sceptres, and are the proof marks of the Birmingham Proof House. Hi Tac, I just found the source of the mark and was coming back to post it. You beat me to it. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

01-04-2007, 11:51 AM	#12
stu398 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ahh, I thought so. And yes, I do have the deactivation certificate, don't you worry! I wondered why it was also on the Lee Enfield. Cheers Terry, apprciate it! Stu

01-05-2007, 04:53 PM	#13
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Tak, this is just a request for information and not particularly applicable to this particular thread. A long time ago you posted that the laws are different for different parts of the UK. If memory serves me right, I think that you said that places like the Isle of Man, Scotland and so forth had different laws than, say, London. Would the laws that you quoted above be different for Stu who is from Scotland? Just another whimsikal question. Canada, Japan, United Kingdom and Oregon (USA?). Is there a bounty on your head or something? Big Norm

01-05-2007, 07:55 PM	#14
c3006 User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: east tn Posts: 526 Thanks: 5 Thanked 12 Times in 5 Posts	Tac I was wondering where you were born,your life sounds like it clicks along at a good pace. thanks clint __________________ Men Accustomed unto thier arms and their liberties will never endure the yoke. James Harrington 1776

01-06-2007, 02:19 PM	#15
Balder User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 288 Thanks: 20 Thanked 34 Times in 19 Posts	tac, On a totally different note - I'll be in London Tues-Thurs next week (Jan 09-11). Do you happen to be in the vicinity and if so, are you up for a pint? Balder