Different lugers, wich one to chose?

[axion9]

Hi!
Thinking of buying a deactivated luger.
Wich one should I go for: S/42 or DWM 1918?
Cheers

[JasonS]

Do you collect WWI items or WWII? What condition are they both in? I personally would get the S/42 as I focus on WWII items. Just my opinion.

JasonS

[axion9]

s/42

yes, I am collecting ww2 militaria.
s/42 what can you tell me about this maker?
What is a fair price, can have it for about 500 usd.

[JasonS]

From the Blue Book of Gun Values..." Mauser made. 9mm Para cal. 4in barrel, many thousands produced. 's/42' stamped rear toggle, chamber dated 1936-1940. One of the most frequently encountered WWII military lugers."

[stevezz1]

Hi Axion,

I agree with Jason, i would go for the S/42 so long as it is in good condition, original bluing, matching numbers etc.....

WW.2 examples are easier to sell if you ever had to part with it in the future....

Post some photo's of your purchase when you can....

Steve.

[GWA]

Axion, Mauser made P08s from the period 1934 through 1942 will have toggle markings of "MAUSER", S/42, 42, and byf. Up until the first part of 1937 the pistols were rust blued with "strawed" small parts, just as the Imperial Lugers were. Second phase manufacture of 1937 and on should be salt blued including small parts.

!936 S/42s are quite common but certainly representative of a IIIR P08. $500 seems a bit steep for something that won't shoot.

[axion9]

photos

Will get better photos.
thanks for your replies!

[phild]

Axion9, I would recomend that you get the earliest 3Reich date in the most original condition....not neccessarily the best finish condition.

$500 is not a bad price for a de-activated P08, especially if it is the only type allowed...or allowed without a tremdous hassle.

With around 80 something thousand 1936 S/42 Lugers made, they were about the same number around as Mod 37 Femaru's....so they are not that common...at least by individual date and toggle marking...it's all realative anyway.

The three most reconized items of the German Army in both World Wars were the stahlhelm, Iron Cross and the Luger, every collection should have at least one.

[Captain Emo]

Was does "deactivated" mean? What is done to the pistol?


Have them take the gun apart to verify if it is all matching and all correct. Military Lugers were stamped in many places with the serial number or the last two digits of the serial number. Look on the safety, trigger, sear, firing pin, magazine and grips. More places are marked, like th eside plate and takedown lever too. $500 is not a great deal but not a bad deal either. Figure that just the magazine may be worth over $100USD. The grips, if original, may be worth over $100USD.
I have an S/42 and a 40/42. BTW, neither say "Mauser" anywhere on them.

[Matt Weber]

Was does "deactivated" mean? What is done to the pistol?


I have an S/42 and a 40/42. BTW, neither say "Mauser" anywhere on them.

Captain Emo,
If you are talking about GWAs' comments earlier in this thread. He was referring to the toggle markings found on Mauser made lugers from 1934-1942. There were 4 different toggle markings found on lugers made by Mauser during this period. They are as GWA stated earlier:
1. Mauser banner
2. S/42
3. 42
4. byf

Thus, your "S/42" and "42" coded toggles will not have the Mauser banner on them.

Matt