1942 Mauser P08 - confused about markings

[P08]

I'm trying to prepare myself on how a byf42 P08 should look.


Therefore I surf the net looking for puctures. I found this one for sale, 1942 but with 41 stamped in several places? Why? It says 41 in at least 4 places but 42 only on top?



http://www.simpsonltd.com/LugerRoom/...M-52/M-52E.jpg
http://www.simpsonltd.com/LugerRoom/...M-52/M-52B.jpg
http://www.simpsonltd.com/LugerRoom/...M-52/M-52C.jpg
http://www.simpsonltd.com/LugerRoom/...M-52/M-52D.jpg


Will a byf42 always have these light wooden (?) grips?

Were magazines always matched to the pistol's serial number?

[P08]

Additional (newbie) question:


I've read that it's a bad idea to dry fire a P08? I never do so with my P38 either, but it has a hammer which can easily be lowered with the thumb. How do you do the same thing on a P08? Can the lever be pulled back just a tiny bit and the trigger be pulled without hurting the mechanism? I do have a dummy cartridge, but I prefer not to leave it in the chamber.

[Ronnie Fry]

[QUOTE=P08]I'm trying to prepare myself on how a byf42 P08 should look.


Therefore I surf the net looking for puctures. I found this one for sale, 1942 but with 41 stamped in several places? Why? It says 41 in at least 4 places but 42 only on top?

Couple of thngs. P08.

• The 42 stamped on the top of the chamber is supposed to be the date of manufacture. I.E. This pistol was made by Mauser (byf) in 1942.
• Being a military pistol, it is serial #'d in their fashion, that is the LAST TWO digits of the full S/N on most all parts of the weapon. Thus the number under the bbl, on the front of the frame, and above the take-down lever should end in "41". This is correct. It's just confusing that the two numbers are close to the same.
• And yes, some of these pistols did not have wooden grips, but black plastic. These are called "black widows" by some. A term generated, not by anyone in Germany, but U.S. dealers trying to make a more "interesting" product to market, and increase their value. They succeeded.
• The byf 42 shown is a really nice one, as you might expect from Simpson.
• Never thought much about dry-firing my Lugers or P38's. I don't do it a lot, but would just guess it's not much of a problem.

[PIERRE.H]

Hi,
Just show few pics of my Byf42. As you can see, number 39 ( yours is 41 ) appears.
Best regards

[PIERRE.H]

pic2

[PIERRE.H]

pic3

[P08]

Thanks to both of you. Yes I found out that it were the last two digits of the serial, but at that time I already sent my post above.


Good pictures, they help.


Could you give me your opinions on this one:


It's a 1942. It doesn't seem to have a letter after the serial? Would that make it a very early 1942? I presume they started with 1-9999 in january 1942 and then continued with 1-9999a? I'm only guessing here so please let me know if I'm completely wrong

BTW: Will grip shells be serialed on a 1942?

[Matt Weber]

Ronnie is 100% correct! You have a very nice looking "byf42". The "42" above the chamber is the date of manufacture. The other numbers you see are the last two digets of the serial number, and will be found on all small parts.

Almost all lugers made by Mauser were numbered this way.

I hate to ask, but what was Simpson asking for this luger??
I'm afraid I'll pass out from sticker shock!

Matt

[P08]

I didn't buy a pistol from Simson Ltd. I just used one from their sales list as an example because I had no other pictures.