Luger Side Plate

[Gene]

Guys, I need to find a side plate for my 42 marked P.08 dated 1940. I don't want to join a Luger forum just to post a want ad, and don't want to buy a modern piece stamped with my number. Anyone know anyone or a source that may have WW2 originals? Not Sarco, Numrich, etc. Thanks--

[Mauser888]

I have found them on Ebay on occasion.

[Gene]

Yeah there's always ebay but I'm looking for a more professional source

[phild]

The main requirement that you need to fill other than relative condition to look right with the gun is finding a Mauser made sideplate. There are ways to distinguish Mauser made plates from DWM (Erfurt and and Simson are easy) but it is very difficult to explain. Fortunately there is a simple way that is usually present on a Mauser made side plate and that is a two digit number on the inside of the plate. If you can find one with that feature then you are on the right track. I don’t know anyone who carries an extensive stock of original Luger parts for sale. Original period parts are catcher catch can and I too would recommend eBay and gunbroker.

[Johnny Peppers]

The hard part is finding the side plate with the correct number outside as well as inside. What are the odds of that?

[Gene]

All I can do is ask around. Ebay and Gunbroker are the two places I check frequently but maybe, just maybe, someone here knows a guy who possibly knows a guy who thinks he might have something. And yes, it must have the correct number or else I'm just spinning my wheels.

[phild]

I did not realize that you were holding out for a matching number sideplate. It will be a practical impossibility to find a plate with correct number outside and inside. It will not even be easy to find a correct condition Mauser made plate these days forget the outside number. If put a rust blued DWM plate on it, even with a “matched number” it will not look right and may very well not fit correctly although most anything can be forced on and I have seen that a number of times. Unless the gun is near mint and more so has the real matched magazine the effort and expense of a matched side plate will not be worth it IMO and then a sharp Luger guy will catch the off inside number

[Johnny Peppers]

Since your pistol has effectively been demilled by the removal of the side plate I would accept any side plate for the present time and hope to find a plate with at least the outside number matching in the future.

[Gene]

My pistol has not been demilled, it has a different sideplate that I want to replace. It even came with capture papers.

[Gene]

Another pic, in sunlight

[Johnny Peppers]

Excuse me. I only saw the part where you said you needed a side plate for your Luger. Good luck.

[tharpo]

This guy had a lot of Luger sideplates. David-
bayfieldz@comcast.net

[Gene]

This guy had a lot of Luger sideplates. David-
bayfieldz@comcast.net

Thanks, is his name David or is it yours?

[tharpo]

His

[Gene]

Okay cool, thanks