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THREE 1940 DATED GERMAN ARMY LUGERS
During 1940 the German Blitzkrieg was on the move, rolling over Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France. The police forces were expanding to police the occupied nations and the Armed forces were expanding to meet Hitler’s plans to invade England and to conquer the rest of Europe. The demand for handguns was ever increasing.
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The three illustrated 1940 dated Lugers shown above were manufactured to meet the demands of the expanding German Army and Police. The 1940 42 code (bottom)is the most common World War II Luger while the 1940 Dutch Banner (top)and the 1940 Banner Army (middle) are the rarest. The 1940 42 code and 1940 Dutch Banner were issued to the expanding German army . The issue of the 1940 Banner Army, army or police, is controversial.
1940 42 CODE GERMAN ARMY
During 1940 Mauser produced approximately 135,700 Lugers in the 7700z to 7000n serial range for the German military. These bear a 1940 date, 42 code, E/655 acceptance stamps, and the late Army Test proof. Approximately 102,700 went to the German Army, 30,000 went to the Luftwaffe, and 3,000 went to the Kreigsmarine.
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1940421.jpg
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Figure 1. Left slant view. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Note the exposed style of serial number placement.
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1940422.jpg
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Figure 2. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Top.
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1940423.jpg
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Figure 3. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Right side.
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1940424.jpg
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Figure 4. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Right receiver and barrel, showing late test proof and E/655 E/655 acceptance stamps. Note: the test proof is larger on the frame than on the barrel.
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1940425.jpg
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Figure 5. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h, showing the serial number on the frame and barrel. Note: the lack of halo on the barrel serial number digits. This is typical of almost all blued Mauser Lugers.
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1940426.jpg
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Figure 6. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Matched Type 3 blued extruded magazine(122 and E/37 stamped on left side).
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1940427.jpg
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Figure 7. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Inside of unnumbered grips.
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1940428.jpg
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Figure 8. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h with 1939 dated holster, E/655 tool and extra magazine.
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1940429.jpg
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Figure 9. Holster stamp, FROST & JAHNEL / BRESLAU / 1940 / E/WaA182
During 1940 the German Blitzkrieg was on the move, rolling over Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France. The police forces were expanding to police the occupied nations and the Armed forces were expanding to meet Hitler’s plans to invade England and to conquer the rest of Europe. The demand for handguns was ever increasing.
Download Attachment:

50.8 KB
The three illustrated 1940 dated Lugers shown above were manufactured to meet the demands of the expanding German Army and Police. The 1940 42 code (bottom)is the most common World War II Luger while the 1940 Dutch Banner (top)and the 1940 Banner Army (middle) are the rarest. The 1940 42 code and 1940 Dutch Banner were issued to the expanding German army . The issue of the 1940 Banner Army, army or police, is controversial.
1940 42 CODE GERMAN ARMY
During 1940 Mauser produced approximately 135,700 Lugers in the 7700z to 7000n serial range for the German military. These bear a 1940 date, 42 code, E/655 acceptance stamps, and the late Army Test proof. Approximately 102,700 went to the German Army, 30,000 went to the Luftwaffe, and 3,000 went to the Kreigsmarine.
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39.37KB
Figure 1. Left slant view. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Note the exposed style of serial number placement.
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18.66 KB
Figure 2. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Top.
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43.67KB
Figure 3. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Right side.
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Figure 4. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Right receiver and barrel, showing late test proof and E/655 E/655 acceptance stamps. Note: the test proof is larger on the frame than on the barrel.
Download Attachment:

27.47 KB
Figure 5. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h, showing the serial number on the frame and barrel. Note: the lack of halo on the barrel serial number digits. This is typical of almost all blued Mauser Lugers.
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17.83 KB
Figure 6. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Matched Type 3 blued extruded magazine(122 and E/37 stamped on left side).
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49.66KB
Figure 7. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h. Inside of unnumbered grips.
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50.68KB
Figure 8. 1940 dated, 42 code Luger, serial number 3369h with 1939 dated holster, E/655 tool and extra magazine.
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38.05KB
Figure 9. Holster stamp, FROST & JAHNEL / BRESLAU / 1940 / E/WaA182