WWII German Mauser Luger S/42 9mm Semi Auto Pistol, Holster & Extra Mag, C&R
Sold For: $1,929
LSB#: 140130RM34
Make: Mauser
Model: S/42 Dated Luger
Serial Number: 3259k
Year of Manufacture: 1937
Caliber: 9MM Luger
Action Type: Toggle Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine.
Markings: The locking bolt, side plate, ejector, left sear bar, back of rear toggle link, top edge of the sear bar safety and the left side of the pin through the back of the rear toggle link are marked “59”. The left side of the frame under the safety is marked “Gesichert”. The left side of the receiver at the chamber is marked “4059”. The right side of the receiver is marked with two winged eagles over “63” and a winged eagle, as shown on line 30, pg. 236 of Luger Variations by H.E. Jones. The top of the receiver at the chamber is marked “1937”, the forward toggle link is marked “S/42” and “59”, and the front of the frame under the barrel is marked “3259” over a script “k”. The top of the barrel at the receiver is marked with Eagle over “63” and the bottom rear of the barrel is marked “4059 / 8,82”. The “63” was the Waffenamt code for Mauserwerke in Oberndorf used from 1935-1939.
Barrel Length: 3 7/8”
Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with a notch in the back of the toggle and a serrated ramp front sight dovetailed into the band at the front of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut. They show slight oil staining and the checkering shows light to moderate uneven wear with a few small mars on each grip. There are no cracks or chips. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel, receiver and frame are blued. The trigger, locking bolt, magazine release and ejector all have a straw colored finish.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp and deep. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. The barrel shows surface loss at the muzzle and the top of the front sight, and a few handling marks along its length. There is thinning on the edges of the frame, and left side plate. The left underside edge of the frame, left side of trigger guard and the left sideplate show compression marks. The backstrap shows thinning in the area of the grooves for the shoulder stock. Both the backstrap and front strap show light surface frosting and a very few light handling marks. The toggle and safety serrations are sharp but show minor thinning. The magazine release and the locking bolt checkering shows very light wear. The left side of the frame above the grip shows a few handling marks and there is a mark through the finish at the safety. The grip screws are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a total of two magazines and a period correct brown leather flap holster with takedown tool. The magazine in the pistol is a “1923” type with a metal bottom piece marked “972 / n” and an Eagle over “63” inspection mark. The magazine in the holster is also a “1923” type with metal bottom piece marked “585 / d” and with an Eagle over “63”. Both show minimal wear and are in Excellent condition. This holster has a stiff leather top flap sewn to the underside of the holster, which becomes its hinge. The flap has a short leather strap sewn to it which is secured by a buckle sewn to the outside surface of the holster at its rear edge. There is a magazine pouch sewn to the front surface of the holster and a tool pouch sewn to the inside surface of the top flap. The inside of the holster is fully lined on its back surface with smooth finished leather. The outside of the holster is also slotted for a pull strap, which is present and intact. The underside of the holster is marked “O. Reichel / Lengefeld”, with an Eagle over “WaA142” Waffenamt, and “1937”. “142” is the correct code for the inspectors at Otto Reichel, used from 1935-1939. The leather of the flap hinge has no cracks and all the stitching on the holster is intact. The holster shows numerous scuff marks in the finish with a cut in the leather of the magazine pouch and thinning on its bottom edge. The underside of the holster shows streaks of black. The tool pouch stud has pulled out of the leather of the pouch and is held in the pouches top flap. Altogether, the holster is in about Very Good to Fine condition. The takedown tool shows no markings and has erosion on both sides. It is in about Fair condition.
Our Assessment: This Mauser built S/42 Luger is in Fine condition with its original finish and comes with a period correct Waffenamt stamped holster, with the same date as the pistol, a spare magazine, and a takedown tool. The serial numbers of the barrel and receiver do not match that on the frame, and the magazines are both mismatched. This is a very nice complete package and a shame that the numbers are not matching. Otherwise, this would be a really great find for the Luger collector. As is, interest by the serious collectors may be diminished, creating a chance for the first time collector, or one who just wants to round out their collection. This pistol has a nice action and almost mint bore, so it will make a great shooter for home protection, but the price is likely to remain too high for a shooter.
