42 BYF question

[Jesse]

I have a late model Mauser Luger question concerning the L shape trigger bar. A friend of mine has a F block 42 byf that his fathers brought back from the war complete with capture papers. my question is, were all the L shaped trigger bars from these late Mauser Luger in the white? His was never refinished according to his father and is in the same condition as it was when he picked it up but his trigger bar looks like it’s blue. Everything I’ve read indicate these should all be in the white. His Luger’s FP, S link are all in the white like my 42 BYF. The side plate has the right numbers both inside and out. Any ideas on this? Thanks

[mrerick]

I have a BYF 42 with a blued trigger plate hinge. The trigger bar itself is in the white.

[mrerick]

I also have a 42 with a commercial banner toggle. It's numbered in the military style. This gun is in mint condition, and has a side plate with a blued trigger bar. It does not appear to have ever been refinished.

This Mauser may be one assembled and sold by Mauser factory workers for sale to GIs just at the end of the war. It's possible that it was batch salt blued for a uniform appearance.

[4 Scale]

Sometimes un-blued transfer levers can be so dark that careful inspection is needed to determine if blue or not.

The two items I always check are transfer lever and s-coupling link, both should be in the white.

[Jesse]

The S link and FP are definitely white, the transfer lever looks black and is roughly the same color as the inside of the side plate. The vet who brought it back is adamant gun was the same as it was when he picked up in 44 and hasn’t been refinished. He is well into his 90s now so maybe he doesn’t remember but his son pretty much confirms it has never been refinished as long as he remembers.

[DonVoigt]

If all else is fine, I would not worry about it.
We cannot say with certainty that "no" levers were blued by Mauser; unusual yes, but never say never.

If it really bothers you the blue(if it is) is very easy to remove with a quick dip in weak muriatic acid.

[4 Scale]

I have found a stereo microscope is the ultimate tool for diagnosing re-blue. Typically local jewelers will let you use theirs to inspect an item although of course it helps if they already know you.

I have a stereo microscope, and I can tell you that all Lugers, even high-condition ones, have rust (pitting). On a high condition gun the pits are not visible without magnification but they are there. It is a question of degree. If it's a re-blue you can see rust in the base of the pits.

[Lugerdoc]

Most post 1937 hot dip PO8s will have BLUED trigger levers. TH

[Jesse]

Thanks for the replies, the Luger in question belongs to a friend of mine. We were talking about the one I just picked and were comparing them. His SN is only about 100 off from mine with the same date and F block. Mine happen to have a white lever where his is most definitely dark blue. Again thanks for everything.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by 4 Scale

I have found a stereo microscope is the ultimate tool for diagnosing re-blue. Typically local jewelers will let you use theirs to inspect an item although of course it helps if they already know you.

I have a stereo microscope, and I can tell you that all Lugers, even high-condition ones, have rust (pitting). On a high condition gun the pits are not visible without magnification but they are there. It is a question of degree. If it's a re-blue you can see rust in the base of the pits.

Yes, on any before 1937 for sure-
that is why they call it "rust blue".