Magazine: correct or not...

[kidvett]

An argument this week between collectors about a CORRECT OR NOT MAGAZINE for my 1940 Code 42 e/655 proofed ( 98% collector LUGER )ser no XX90i. The mag is not the matching one but is as follows: WWI type blued body ( not the fxo type ), one blued cross pin for base at the back, solid aluminiun base ( no cross pin like an fxo ) ser. no. XX05a with e/655 proofs, no markings on mag body. I say it is correct for my LUGER he says it's not....Who's right.....Sorry that I cant include pics...thanks.....

[Frank]

Yup, I would say your magazine was a "proper" one. A "655" or fxo 122, in the correct range is proper.

Hi generly 655 is a replacement mag correct mag would be 122 E37 for 1940 42Charlie

[bill m]

XX90 i would almost certainly have a 122 code magazine. The blue rolled 655 magazines were mixed with the 122 code magazines in the early 1940/42 Lugers up through about the "d" block and then were almost exclusively 122 code magazines. The exceptions are the Navy pieces which still can be found with the blue rolled 655 magazines after the "d" block. Your "i" block Luger needs a 122 code magazine in my opinion.

Is this from knowing certain things, experience, hard knocks, or is this gathered from 10 different books?


teach me, I'm a sponge and I'll gather information!


Of course like a sponge, knowledge drips out,


really, this is very interesting, but I try to figure out where you guys comke up with this stuff. I do see that books state information from this or that, but...


Ed

[kidvett]

My LUGER came as a rig with a brn. WaA 727 holster and 2 mags: the e/655 already mentionned and a second one as follows: blued extruded body with E37 and 122 proofs, alu. bottom with blued cross pin, numbers not matching the gun. So I guess that one is the correct one for my gun and the e/655 the replacement.Or is it the other way around.....

[bill m]

Hi,

This information is not found in any book that I am aware of, but is from collecting serial numbers of both Lugers and magazines. From these data sheets one can determine approximate changes, transitions and what went with what.


The blue rolled magazines with 655 on the base were used with the late 1939 code 42 Lugers and the early 1940 code 42 Lugers. The 1940 code 42 Luger magazines were mixed from the very beginning of production with either two 655 blue rolled magazines or two 122 code magazines. Again, the transition to exclusivly 122 code magazines took place in the late "d" block it looks like. The Navy Lugers of 1940 though for some reason are found with either the 655 or 122 code magazines well beyond the "d" block, which I do not have the answer for. Recorded magazines tell us this though.


The type of magazine, acceptance marks, and how they are pinned are a study in itself. If you are going to collect Lugers with a matching magazine, or two matching magazines, this is information that is a must for you to learn.