My First Luger BYF 42

pappers1 · 07-24-2014, 11:31 AM

I'm New here and just got my first luger. I believe its a veteran bring back.
Here are some pics of it. Let me know what you think.

mrerick · 07-24-2014, 11:42 AM

Hi Richard, and welcome to the forum.

First, congratulations on your new Luger.

It looks like a very nice one. It looks to be in original finish, fairly high condition and is likely all matching. You need to check the internal parts carefully to see. Be particularly careful when removing the left grip so that you don't break it up by the safety lever.

You hit the jackpot with the magazine, which is for a Krieghoff.

The magazine has some dents, which could be put back in shape by someone like G.T. on this board. He has the right tools.

Since the Krieghoff magazine has quite a bit higher value than an unnumbered black plastic base FXO magazine (which would match your Luger) you should consider trying to acquire one of the FXO E/37 accepted plastic based ones, and selling the Krieghoff - especially if someone shows up here with the matching numbered gun.

The holster is not original to the gun, and is a WW-II or later GI adaptation. I would not store the Luger in the cloth/holster, but rather use a silicone gun-sock to prevent corrosion.

Anything specific you want to know about your Luger?

pappers1 · 07-24-2014, 11:54 AM

Thanks mrerick, I will take some pics of the internal parts; and post soon.
I am looking for the FOX E/37 Magazine.
By the SN and suffix when was it produced...I know 1942. the suffix I don't understand?
Thanks Rich pappers1

mrerick · 07-24-2014, 12:41 PM

Lugers were produced in serial number blocks of 10,000 guns with a letter suffix. 1 to 10,000.

Mauser didn't reset their numbers each year, and instead numbered them continuously. Blocks "a" through "z" were followed by a no-suffix block "ns" then "a" through "z" again.

Your 1942 manufactured "k" block Luger was made toward the end of all Mauser Luger production. The last suffix is the "n" block.

About 100 Lugers in the "k" block were manufactured out of sequence with non "byf" toggles.

Since 1942 pretty much started in the "ns" or "a" block, this one probably was made in the fall of 1942.

- - -

The magazine you want will be marked with a "FXO" concealment code (referring to Haenel Schmeisser) rather than FOX.

Marc

pappers1 · 07-24-2014, 12:44 PM

Here are the internal parts all matching #'s:

mrerick · 07-24-2014, 12:47 PM

Yes - everything looks correct.

The number inside the side plate should be the first two digits of the serial number "29" plus 1. Therefore "30" is correct. The combination matches this one plate to your gun (one out of 10,000 plates will match properly this way).

At this point, not all of the grips were being numbered to the gun.

Marc

pappers1 · 07-24-2014, 12:50 PM

Thanks again, a typo on the FOX....FXO...thanks

pappers1 · 07-24-2014, 12:59 PM

Thanks I was wondering about the grips and the side plate.

DavidJayUden · 07-24-2014, 02:03 PM

Sideplate; yes. Grips; probably.
Very nice gun.
dju

John Sabato · 07-24-2014, 02:25 PM

Is that a Krieghoff acceptance stamp on the magazine?

K.Wilhelm · 07-24-2014, 03:47 PM

Very nice Pappers! My byf 42 from the b block is very similar, and I love it. KW

pappers1 · 07-24-2014, 04:12 PM

John, This is what Mrerick said:
"You hit the jackpot with the magazine, which is for a Krieghoff".
So I take that as a yes on the Magazine.

John Sabato · 07-24-2014, 04:32 PM

I guess I missed that!

07-24-2014, 11:31 AM	#1
pappers1 User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 32 Thanks: 14 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	My First Luger BYF 42 I'm New here and just got my first luger. I believe its a veteran bring back. Here are some pics of it. Let me know what you think. Attached Thumbnails

07-24-2014, 11:42 AM	#2
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Hi Richard, and welcome to the forum. First, congratulations on your new Luger. It looks like a very nice one. It looks to be in original finish, fairly high condition and is likely all matching. You need to check the internal parts carefully to see. Be particularly careful when removing the left grip so that you don't break it up by the safety lever. You hit the jackpot with the magazine, which is for a Krieghoff. The magazine has some dents, which could be put back in shape by someone like G.T. on this board. He has the right tools. Since the Krieghoff magazine has quite a bit higher value than an unnumbered black plastic base FXO magazine (which would match your Luger) you should consider trying to acquire one of the FXO E/37 accepted plastic based ones, and selling the Krieghoff - especially if someone shows up here with the matching numbered gun. The holster is not original to the gun, and is a WW-II or later GI adaptation. I would not store the Luger in the cloth/holster, but rather use a silicone gun-sock to prevent corrosion. Anything specific you want to know about your Luger? __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

07-24-2014, 12:41 PM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Lugers were produced in serial number blocks of 10,000 guns with a letter suffix. 1 to 10,000. Mauser didn't reset their numbers each year, and instead numbered them continuously. Blocks "a" through "z" were followed by a no-suffix block "ns" then "a" through "z" again. Your 1942 manufactured "k" block Luger was made toward the end of all Mauser Luger production. The last suffix is the "n" block. About 100 Lugers in the "k" block were manufactured out of sequence with non "byf" toggles. Since 1942 pretty much started in the "ns" or "a" block, this one probably was made in the fall of 1942. - - - The magazine you want will be marked with a "FXO" concealment code (referring to Haenel Schmeisser) rather than FOX. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

07-24-2014, 12:44 PM	#5
pappers1 User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 32 Thanks: 14 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Here are the internal parts all matching #'s: Attached Thumbnails

07-24-2014, 12:47 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Yes - everything looks correct. The number inside the side plate should be the first two digits of the serial number "29" plus 1. Therefore "30" is correct. The combination matches this one plate to your gun (one out of 10,000 plates will match properly this way). At this point, not all of the grips were being numbered to the gun. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

07-24-2014, 11:54 AM	#3
pappers1 User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 32 Thanks: 14 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks mrerick, I will take some pics of the internal parts; and post soon. I am looking for the FOX E/37 Magazine. By the SN and suffix when was it produced...I know 1942. the suffix I don't understand? Thanks Rich pappers1

07-24-2014, 12:50 PM	#7
pappers1 User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 32 Thanks: 14 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks again, a typo on the FOX....FXO...thanks

07-24-2014, 12:59 PM	#8
pappers1 User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 32 Thanks: 14 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks I was wondering about the grips and the side plate.

07-24-2014, 02:03 PM	#9
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Sideplate; yes. Grips; probably. Very nice gun. dju

07-24-2014, 02:25 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	Is that a Krieghoff acceptance stamp on the magazine? __________________ 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..."*

07-24-2014, 03:47 PM	#11
K.Wilhelm User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Central Colorado Posts: 215 Thanks: 45 Thanked 109 Times in 66 Posts	Very nice Pappers! My byf 42 from the b block is very similar, and I love it. KW __________________ NRA Endowment Life member Proud veteran of the Naval Security Group

07-24-2014, 04:12 PM	#12
pappers1 User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 32 Thanks: 14 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	John, This is what Mrerick said: "You hit the jackpot with the magazine, which is for a Krieghoff". So I take that as a yes on the Magazine.

07-24-2014, 04:32 PM	#13
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	I guess I missed that! __________________ 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..."*