BYF CODE, 42 DATED, LUGER.
During 1942 Mauser produced approximately 113,000 Lugers in the 500 to 130 m serial range for the German military. These bear a 42 date, byf code and E/135 acceptance stamps. The last 10,000 (beyond serial number 130m) produced went to Portugal and Bulgaria.(Third Reich Lugers p. 66) (Any update in serial ranges would be most appreciated.)
Figure 1. Left slant view, byf 42, serial number 135c. Note the exposed style of serial number placement. The black plastic (bakelite) grips are found on about 20 percent of these Lugers.
(Note: byf 41 and byf 42 Lugers have been termed “black widow” and “Gestapo” by dealers. These terms have no basis in fact. Because of seller/buyer appeal the number of “black widows” has increased greatly by exchanging original wood grips for aftermarket black plastic grips.)
Download Attachment: byf421.jpg
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Figure 2. Top, byf 42, serial number 135c.
BYF422.jpg
Figure 3. Right side, byf 42, serial number 135c.
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Figure 4. byf 42, serial number 135c. Right receiver and barrel, showing late test proof and E/135 acceptance stamps. The barrel test proof is smaller and sharper than the receiver proof.
BYF424.jpg
Figure 5. byf 42, serial number 135c. Serial number on the frame and barrel. Note the lack of halo on the barrel serial number digits and barrel gauge. This is typical of almost all blued Mauser Lugers.
byf425.jpg
Figure 6. byf 42, serial number 135c. Inside of original black plastic Mauser grips. (Also, see Krieghoff Parabellum, page 47)
byf426.jpg
Figure 7. byf 42, serial number 135c. A proper (type 4 Army) magazine for this Luger. E/37, E/37, P08 marked on blued- extruded case with black-plastic(bakelite) center-pinned bottom. (Third Reich Lugers, page 126)
byf427.jpg
Jan C Still
Site Owner - Operator
During 1942 Mauser produced approximately 113,000 Lugers in the 500 to 130 m serial range for the German military. These bear a 42 date, byf code and E/135 acceptance stamps. The last 10,000 (beyond serial number 130m) produced went to Portugal and Bulgaria.(Third Reich Lugers p. 66) (Any update in serial ranges would be most appreciated.)
Figure 1. Left slant view, byf 42, serial number 135c. Note the exposed style of serial number placement. The black plastic (bakelite) grips are found on about 20 percent of these Lugers.
(Note: byf 41 and byf 42 Lugers have been termed “black widow” and “Gestapo” by dealers. These terms have no basis in fact. Because of seller/buyer appeal the number of “black widows” has increased greatly by exchanging original wood grips for aftermarket black plastic grips.)
Download Attachment: byf421.jpg
42.45KB
Figure 2. Top, byf 42, serial number 135c.
BYF422.jpg
Figure 3. Right side, byf 42, serial number 135c.
byf423.jpg
Figure 4. byf 42, serial number 135c. Right receiver and barrel, showing late test proof and E/135 acceptance stamps. The barrel test proof is smaller and sharper than the receiver proof.
BYF424.jpg
Figure 5. byf 42, serial number 135c. Serial number on the frame and barrel. Note the lack of halo on the barrel serial number digits and barrel gauge. This is typical of almost all blued Mauser Lugers.
byf425.jpg
Figure 6. byf 42, serial number 135c. Inside of original black plastic Mauser grips. (Also, see Krieghoff Parabellum, page 47)
byf426.jpg
Figure 7. byf 42, serial number 135c. A proper (type 4 Army) magazine for this Luger. E/37, E/37, P08 marked on blued- extruded case with black-plastic(bakelite) center-pinned bottom. (Third Reich Lugers, page 126)
byf427.jpg
Jan C Still
Site Owner - Operator