1939 Luger Information please.

Sergeant215 · 05-05-2008, 03:36 PM

I've recently acquired 2 lugers. The first has all matching serial numbers including on the magazine. Serial #6849. It appears in good condition. It has the Date printed on the top of 1939 and further back has the letter/number S/42. On the right side of the gun as you hold it, there are two eagles with the number under each of 63. This is also on the magazine. An odd symbol next to these eagles on the side. I will include pictures of this gun as well as the next one.

The other gun also has all matching serial numbers including the magazine. Serial #926. This gun is in very nice condition. On the top it has the year 1939 and back from that says 42, where the other gun had S/42. On the right side of the gun as you hold it, there are two eagles with the number 63 under it as well on the magazine. These two eagles are then followed by another eagle. THere are some odd symbols on the magazine from this gun.

Any information anybody can give me would be appreciated such as where the gun was made, what part of the military or government it was issued to, value. Thank you.

The first 4 pictures will be from the #6849 gun, then the next 4 will be from the 926 gun.

Thank you again for any help.

Sergeant 215

Sergeant215 · 05-05-2008, 03:40 PM

#6849#1

Sergeant215 · 05-05-2008, 03:42 PM

#6849 #2

Sergeant215 · 05-05-2008, 03:43 PM

#6849 #3

Sergeant215 · 05-05-2008, 03:45 PM

#6849 #4

Sergeant215 · 05-05-2008, 03:47 PM

Ok, this is the S#926, Pic #1

Sergeant215 · 05-05-2008, 03:48 PM

#926 picture #2

Sergeant215 · 05-05-2008, 03:50 PM

Pic #3 of S#926

Sergeant215 · 05-05-2008, 03:52 PM

And finally Pic #4 of S#926. I can provide more pictures if someone needs to see more. Thank you.

John Sabato · 05-05-2008, 04:40 PM

HI and welcome to the forum. You take excellent photos...and these are excellent examples of Mauser wartime production...

Both guns were produced by Mauser Waffenfabrik, at their plant in Oberndorf, Germany. The manufacturing code for the Mauser plant in early 1939 was S/42... later it changed to 42, hence the difference. It wasn't a secret code, but it kept the name of the factory off of their military production... following the 42 designation, the code changed one last time to byf in 1940 until the end of Mauser production.

With the absence of Kriegsmarine (Navy), Luftwaffe (Air Force), Police issue markings or modifications, or commercial markings (Mauser Logo), these are most likely Army issue pistols...

The "odd" marks you mentioned are inspection and proof stamps that were put there during the manufacturing and inspection/acceptance processes.

There should be a small alphabetic character in script under the serial number on the front of the frames just above the trigger guard and in front of the takedown levers. This character is an integral part of the serial number and identifies the particular manufacturing "run" during which the pistol was produced. Number sequences started with 0001 through 9999, and started over... the second run being suffixed with the letter "a" and so forth... generally until the production year was over.

That is about all we can tell from your photos... there are no known records of which unit were issued particular weapons, so unless the captor of these particular weapons is still alive and can tell you from whom they were captured... you (and we) will likely never know who used them.

Value... that's a toughie question that changes almost monthly... but I wouldn't take less than $1500 each for them... and if there are more accessories, like the original holsters, or a second matching magazine, the value continues to rise... keep them in your safe, and don't shoot them...unless you just can't stand it! You wouldn't want to break a part on one of these gems...

May we ask from which dealer were they acquired? or were they a private sale?

Sergeant215 · 05-05-2008, 05:07 PM

I see what you mean about the serial number on the front of the trigger guard. The letter under the Serial #926 is S and the letter under the other serial #6849 is N.

I got these guns after my Step father passed away 5 years ago. I absolutely love them and would never consider using them. I also have the holsters. I have 5 more and will post those a little later for you to take a look at and let me know what you think of those.

The other ones do not have serial numbers on the magazines though.

You may remember me from over a year ago when I posted one of my other ones. I'll attach a pic of that one.

Thank you very much for your insight. I really appreciate it.

John Sabato · 05-05-2008, 05:20 PM

This one should have a "byf" marked toggle... the device in the grip would have been a post war addition... modification of a military firearm would have been strictly prohibited in the German Army, the same as in ours (Unless you wore 4 stars!)...

I would be possible to get most that oil out of those grips with a little work... try not to get any oil on any of the other wood grips if you can help it...

policeluger · 05-05-2008, 05:38 PM

I believe a little of Brownells "whiting" would help with the oil problem.

05-05-2008, 03:45 PM	#5
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	#6849 #4 Attached Thumbnails

05-05-2008, 03:48 PM	#7
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	#926 picture #2 Attached Thumbnails

05-05-2008, 03:50 PM	#8
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Pic #3 of S#926 Attached Thumbnails

05-05-2008, 04:40 PM	#10
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	HI and welcome to the forum. You take excellent photos...and these are excellent examples of Mauser wartime production... Both guns were produced by Mauser Waffenfabrik, at their plant in Oberndorf, Germany. The manufacturing code for the Mauser plant in early 1939 was S/42... later it changed to 42, hence the difference. It wasn't a secret code, but it kept the name of the factory off of their military production... following the 42 designation, the code changed one last time to byf in 1940 until the end of Mauser production. With the absence of Kriegsmarine (Navy), Luftwaffe (Air Force), Police issue markings or modifications, or commercial markings (Mauser Logo), these are most likely Army issue pistols... The "odd" marks you mentioned are inspection and proof stamps that were put there during the manufacturing and inspection/acceptance processes. There should be a small alphabetic character in script under the serial number on the front of the frames just above the trigger guard and in front of the takedown levers. This character is an integral part of the serial number and identifies the particular manufacturing "run" during which the pistol was produced. Number sequences started with 0001 through 9999, and started over... the second run being suffixed with the letter "a" and so forth... generally until the production year was over. That is about all we can tell from your photos... there are no known records of which unit were issued particular weapons, so unless the captor of these particular weapons is still alive and can tell you from whom they were captured... you (and we) will likely never know who used them. Value... that's a toughie question that changes almost monthly... but I wouldn't take less than $1500 each for them... and if there are more accessories, like the original holsters, or a second matching magazine, the value continues to rise... keep them in your safe, and don't shoot them...unless you just can't stand it! You wouldn't want to break a part on one of these gems... May we ask from which dealer were they acquired? or were they a private sale? __________________ 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..."*

05-05-2008, 05:07 PM	#11
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I see what you mean about the serial number on the front of the trigger guard. The letter under the Serial #926 is S and the letter under the other serial #6849 is N. I got these guns after my Step father passed away 5 years ago. I absolutely love them and would never consider using them. I also have the holsters. I have 5 more and will post those a little later for you to take a look at and let me know what you think of those. The other ones do not have serial numbers on the magazines though. You may remember me from over a year ago when I posted one of my other ones. I'll attach a pic of that one. Thank you very much for your insight. I really appreciate it. Attached Thumbnails

05-05-2008, 03:36 PM	#1
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1939 Luger Information please. I've recently acquired 2 lugers. The first has all matching serial numbers including on the magazine. Serial #6849. It appears in good condition. It has the Date printed on the top of 1939 and further back has the letter/number S/42. On the right side of the gun as you hold it, there are two eagles with the number under each of 63. This is also on the magazine. An odd symbol next to these eagles on the side. I will include pictures of this gun as well as the next one. The other gun also has all matching serial numbers including the magazine. Serial #926. This gun is in very nice condition. On the top it has the year 1939 and back from that says 42, where the other gun had S/42. On the right side of the gun as you hold it, there are two eagles with the number 63 under it as well on the magazine. These two eagles are then followed by another eagle. THere are some odd symbols on the magazine from this gun. Any information anybody can give me would be appreciated such as where the gun was made, what part of the military or government it was issued to, value. Thank you. The first 4 pictures will be from the #6849 gun, then the next 4 will be from the 926 gun. Thank you again for any help. Sergeant 215

05-05-2008, 03:40 PM	#2
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	#6849#1 Attached Thumbnails

05-05-2008, 03:42 PM	#3
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	#6849 #2 Attached Thumbnails

05-05-2008, 03:43 PM	#4
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	#6849 #3 Attached Thumbnails

05-05-2008, 03:47 PM	#6
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ok, this is the S#926, Pic #1 Attached Thumbnails

05-05-2008, 03:52 PM	#9
Sergeant215 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	And finally Pic #4 of S#926. I can provide more pictures if someone needs to see more. Thank you. Attached Thumbnails

05-05-2008, 05:20 PM	#12
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	This one should have a "byf" marked toggle... the device in the grip would have been a post war addition... modification of a military firearm would have been strictly prohibited in the German Army, the same as in ours (Unless you wore 4 stars!)... I would be possible to get most that oil out of those grips with a little work... try not to get any oil on any of the other wood grips if you can help it... __________________ 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..."*

05-05-2008, 05:38 PM	#13
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	I believe a little of Brownells "whiting" would help with the oil problem.