1942 Mauser byf SS Officer's Rig
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This is a 19'42' Chamber dated Mauser "byf" code built for the German Schutzstaffel SS  The holster displays the early Totenkopf  hat emblem indicating that the owner was perhaps at one time associated with the SD Einsatzkommandos. The SS had their own procurement system.  This Parabellum is 9mm with a 4" (100mm) barrel that is proofed and serial numbered to the gun.  Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "Geladen."  This example has all matching numbers and is one of the finest 42 byf Officer Rigged Lugers we have seen.  (1157)

NOTE: Photographs taken today with the high mega-pixel camera show more than we sometimes can see with the human eye. Magnified close-ups show us tool marks and natural surface conditions that one normally doesn't see in the ordinary handling of the weapon.  Photographs are copyrighted, all rights reserved, any extraction, reproduction or display of gun pictures without the express consent of the Phoenix Investment Arms is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

The first toggle link is marked with the "byf" Mauser code.  There is the "V" rear sight on the rear toggle link and the last two digits of the serial number appear.   This is a basic collector gun, everyone has one in their collection.  The extractor is marked "GELADEN". The bore is good with distinctive lands and groove.  The thumb safety is new style, and blued. The thumb safety is marked 'Gesichert' and safe is down. 

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style.   The serial number appears on the front of the frame, on the side of the locking bolt, on the trigger, on the bottom of the barrel, the side plate,  the left side of the receiver, the safety bar, the sear bar, the rear connecting pin, and on the extractor. You can see all the matching numbers on the small parts including the trigger, the sear stop safety, and the proof on the barrel.

Show on the SS camouflage cover over the tunic the holster  and the minty belt and chest strap are worn as they were issued. The buckle is RZM marked and the entire rig is in excellent condition.

The 42 byf Mauser was issued to mostly SS and SS Police units involved in anti-partisan actions.   It was the pride and camaraderie of the SS that made them the most fierce fighting force of WWII. The gun is all matching with the serial number on the barrel, the frame and the magazines.

An excellent picture of the completeness of this full rig, with the all-matching Luger, dated holster, chest strap & SS Officers Belt & Buckle.  Below Right is the illustration of the extractor marked GELADEN (loaded) that is both a visual and by touch at night to tell the shooter the gun is loaded.

Late in 1941 the Waffen amt inspector "E/655" was replaced by "E/135" and so began the new proofs.  In November 1942 formal production of the Luger stopped but there were still orders to fill and so up until 1944 Lugers were being assembled from existing stocks of parts.  It is in very clean condition and an exceptionally fine piece displaying the minimal of honest holster wear.

 

 

This rig was said to have been captured in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge. The veteran that brought it back was in the 3rd Army of George Patton.  The gun and holster (which was numbered to the gun) appears to have been issued earlier and it was said taken from a newly appointed Untersturmführer which was the first commissioned SS officer rank, equivalent to a second lieutenant in other military organizations. The belt, buckle, straps etc., were some of the accouterments of rank and are minty in appearance while the holster and gun must have been originally issued and then reissued to the individual. It would be our impression that this capture was from someone newly promoted and issued the officer belt, buckle and chest strap to his existing Parabellum.

Here is the back of the holster with the "1942" date  along with the Waffen amt acceptance proof, weapon serial number and P08 stamp.  The SS had their own procurement system and there are a set of SS runes. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. The leather is in very good condition with all the stitching intact. All parts of the holster are still pliable and functional.  This rig comes with the all-matching Luger, a proofed loading tool, an extra matching magazine, a period belt with loops and an aluminum officer belt buckle. What a wonderful WWII battlefield bring-back.

Outside the holster is the Totenkopf stamp of the SS after 1934.  Up to 1934 the Death head was jawless and after 1934 it assumed the jaw and was issued as such except for the Panzer divisions which retained the jawless death head of the Imperial Hussar Calvary.   Below you can see the manufacturers cartouche and date and the weapon number (probably stamped by the unit armorer).

On the left is the RZM (German procurement office that assigned manufacturers numbers to items of equipment) and the worn SS Runes.  Right is the two matching magazines marked 1 & 2.

 

Without a doubt, the SS Schutzstaffel was the most feared, despised an infamous organization of the Third Reich. The SS was formed in 1925 as a small subunit of the SA with the mission of serving as the Fuhrer's personal bodyguard. Members of the SS were picked for their mental and physical adeptness and were recognized as the "elite" within the Nazi Party. A member had to have finished his twenty-first year and undergone a long probationary period of eighteen months. During this period, the candidate was tested rigidly to observe how well he lived up to the tests of faith, honor, and unconditional obedience.

SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS as commander of Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Josef "Sepp" Dietrich  one of Nazi Germany's most decorated soldiers and admired by his troops. Here he is inspecting newly SS men who have just taken the oath in a flag grasping ceremony.

 

This is a much sought after rig with the E135 proofs marking the end of the production run and the fine checkered walnut grips that are serial numbered to the gun along with  and two matching magazines.

In 1939 both the final acceptance stamp on the receiver and barrel went from the drooped wing national eagle to the straight wing Swastika to include the firing test on the breach block as seen above right.  The last two digits of the serial number appear on the rear main axel pin. This Parabellum is all matching including the rear connecting pin which was ordered in March 1932 to be marked to the weapon to prevent their being exchanged by mistake. 

The right side of the receiver shows the Eagle 135 proof and the Waffenamt on the receiver and barrel which is the straight wing eagle with the swastika. A lot of people refer to this as the Nazi proof or Nazi Luger when in fact Der Führer, Adolf Hitler, came to power in 1934 as the Reichskanzler and issued the "Enabling Act" the Nazi Government was firmly in place and every weapon from 1934-1945 can be considered a Nazi gun.

The weapon has matching grips that are serial numbered to the gun. At right is the proofed loading tool

and one can still see the RMZ markings inside along with the manufacturers code and the SS Runes.

 

Front line SS Officers, one with the early crushed cap the other with the more formal peaked cap wearing the early SS Totenkopf Death Head (pre-1934).  Note the rider in camouflage suit.  The SS were the first army to adopt the camouflage uniforms.

 

The inside of this gun is in very good condition. (A) On the barrel is the E135 firing proof. (B) is the 88 serial number on the sear stop; (C) is the final firing proof for the breach block, (d) is the serial # on the rear main axel pin. (E) You can see the Mauser 2mm hump unique to Mauser frames, (F & G) are last two digits of the serial number on the trigger and locking lever.  This Luger has been cared for well and is looking for another good home.   It is in very clean condition and an exceptionally fine piece.

The firing pin bears the last two digits of the serial number indicating it was the original equipment issued with the Parabellum.  The cut into the firing pin was designed to lessen the gas build up during firing and to reduce the ft/ pounds of energy to cycle the Luger and therefore reduce recoil bringing it back to the target more quickly. 
The matching serial numbers on the barrel and frame along with the gauge markings and the suffix "b" are on the left. On the right is the black bakelite bottoms that were used at the very end of the Mauser Luger production due to the wartime shortage of aluminum. The black bottoms were not a large success as when the shooter hit the magazine release dropping the magazine to the ground they often chipped or cracked and a replacement had to be obtained.

Meine Ehre heißt Treue   Which translates "My Honor is Loyalty".

The SS buckle has the spread wing eagle (Alder) which grasps a wreath around the swastika and surrounded by the motto of the SS Meine Ehre heißt Treue (My Honor is Loyalty).  The buckle is the Officer type aluminum metal for the dress or field tunic use.  This appears to be a late model belt and buckle apparently used for parade purposes because it is in nearly mint condition with white stitching and very little wear on the belt.

It is entirely subjective to give any Luger a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few Lugers are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder.  We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria.

 

A very rare picture of Der Führer Adolf Hitler swearing in a Schutzstaffel SS unit by grasping the Blutfahne flag and with two fingers extended on the right hand swore their oath of allegiance to Adolph Hitler.    The Blood Flag (Blutfahne) was recovered from the Munich Police in 1925, remounted on a two part black pole with a special unique wreath flag top, the pole also contained a dedication plate listing the names of those killed in the Munich Putsch, whose blood by the way was also on the flag. The flag was borne by Traumbauer during the Putsch, and after 1925 at the party rallies by Jacob Grimminger.

 

This is a great rig and an excellent "42" Dated "byf" Luger, a superior 1942 dated holster with an original loading tool, a proofed period belt, belt  an extra matching magazine and an SS (Schutzstaffel) officer belt buckle.  As with any Luger it has a tale to tell.  This complete rig is offered for $8,275.00 over-the-counter.

This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and do not warrant the availability of any firearm that do not have a cash deposit. This historic and chest strap complete rig of all matching Luger, two magazines, loading tool, dated 1942 holster  period belt and SS belt buckle. For information please e-mail josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com