1936 Mauser S/42 Afrika Corps Rig

This is a 1934 Model Pistole 08 military gun manufactured by Mauser for delivery in 1936. This Parabellum is a 4 inch (100 mm) 9mm Parabellum made on the "short frame" with short sear. This Luger is offered with the entire rig (see below) from the Afrikakorps that was the German North African response to the British attacks on their allies, the Italians. This is a "rig" that was brought back by an Army tanker who was stationed in Libya during WWII. (1387)

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 German Afrika Korps was formed, on February 19, 1941, after the German Armed Forces High Command (OKW) had decided to send an expeditionary force to Libya to support the Italian army, which had been routed by an Allied counteroffensive, Operation Compass. The German expeditionary force, commanded by Erwin Rommel, at first consisted only of the 5th Panzer Regiment and various other small units. These elements were organized into the 5th Light Division when they arrived in Africa in February. In the spring the 5th Light Division was joined by the 15th Panzer Division, though it did not arrive until after Rommel had made a counter-offensive and re-taken most of Cyrenaica and gone back over to the defensive. At this time the Afrika Korps consisted of the two divisions plus various smaller supporting units, and was officially subordinated to the Italian chain of command in Africa (though Rommel had conducted his offensive without any authorization).


Serial number placement is in the military (exposed) style. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "Geladen." This example has all matching numbers including two matching magazines. The barrel is numbered and proofed and matches the frame. Collectors refer to this model as 1934 to represent the year that Mauser created the machinery for their production run of the Luger. So this 1936 dated 1934 Model is an early Mauser variation and excellent example of craftsmanship.

Above Left: The serial number appears on the front of the frame with the suffix "p" and the underside of the barrel with the gauge markings (measured at proofing). Above Right: The magazine(s) have the matching serial number, the E63 proof (matches gun) and the 2nd magazine has the "+" mark to indicate extra magazine.


While still early in the pre-war period Mauser maintain the practice of straw bluing the small parts [trigger, thumb safety, locking lever, magazine release, extractor] before the practice gave way to the war-time requirements of speed when these parts were blued (mid-1937).


Adolph Hitler Reviewing Troops prior to movement to the front.

Afrika Korp fighters with the MG 42, the fastest firing machine gun in WWII.


The barrel is matched to the gun with the caliber 8.81mm stamped. The "o" serial suffix puts this "1936 date mid-way in the 1936 contract. 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.

This is a very clean Parabellum. On the left side of the barrel is the E63 proof, over the chamber is the four digit 1936 date, on the extractor, the first toggle link and back of the second toggle link is the "77" last two digits of the serial number which also appears on the top of the thumb safety. All-Matching.

In 1936 the silver crimped sleeved magazine with the single pin aluinum bottom were still in use by Mauser for these S/42 code Parabellum in 1936.

Below Right: The Afrika Korps tropical belt and buckle were unique to the Wehrmacht. The belt was a cloth material webbing with a leather tab in the back and the pronged buckle (paited in the sand brown color) with the dual prongs fit into the leather to secure the belt. In addition to Afrika these uniforms showed up in the Balkins when the Afrika Korps retreated from North Afrika.

On the above left are the two matching magazines in silver sleeves with the solid aluminum bottom. Aluminum was more plentiful and durable than the wood bottoms but still an intricate part to machine.

During the summer of 1941 OKW invested more command structure in Africa by creating a new headquarters called Panzer Group Africa (Panzergruppe Afrika). On August 15 Panzer Group Africa was activated with Rommel in command, and command of the Afrika Korps was turned over to Ludwig Crüwell. The Panzer Group controlled the Afrika Korps plus some additional German units that were sent to Africa, as well as two corps of Italian units. (A German "group" was approximately the equivalent of an army in other militaries, and in fact Panzer Group Africa was re-designated as Panzer Army Africa (Panzerarmee Afrika) on January 30, 1942.)


It is very difficult to find any items from the Africakorps due to the short life (2 yrs) that they were in existence and when defeated the GI Souvenirs' moved with them to Sicily, Italy and beyond.


This gun is very clean inside. It shows us the short sear that lets the Luger be loaded with the safety on and with the toggle in full rear recoil we can see the serialization of the rear main axel pin ordered in 1932. The frame does not have the "Mauser 2mm Hump" at the rear of the frame to protect the rear main axel pin. This tells us that Mauser was still using up DWM frames that it obtained with the trainload of parts from Berlin when they merged.

Above Left: The above picture shows the Parabellum in full recoil and the side plate and grip removed. Once can see the insides reflect the care and maintenance this 80 yr old battlefield favorite deserves. The barrel is strong with distinctive lands and grooves. At the rear of the gun you can see the numbering of the rear main axel pin. In 1932 the Reichswehrministerium issued an order that the rear main axel pin be serial numbered to the gun. You can also see a fine examples of the fire-blued pins. Above Right: The The rear toggle is serial numbered to the gun.

The holster is in excellent shape with flexible leather and original white stitching. It has the manufactures mark, the Waffenamt proof and the 1936 date. Under the flap the holster was numbered to the gun "4477" making this a very uniquie find.

On the back of the holster is a small stamp of the Afrikakorps icon that appeared on all the vehicles and equipment along with the manufacturers cartouche and the Waffenamt stamp. 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. Any questions or request for additional purchases email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

The loading tool is proofed with the early drooped wing Eagle 63 of the Mauser inspector. With the sideplate removed we can see the last two digits of the serial number "77" displayed.

This is a full Rig. There is a 2nd matching magazine, the 1936 holster and buckled tropical belt and a loading tool. When your are talking about a "bring back" this Luger was captured intact with the everything. Usually the buckles sell for over a hundred dollars by themselves and seldom available with the belt with full components. This leather is in very good condition and has been well cared for with all stitching intact and serviceable.

German Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel,"The Desert Fox", (der Wüstenfuchs), (born November 15, 1891, Heidenheim, Germany—died October 14, 1944, Herrlingen, near Ulm), who became the most popular general at home and gained the open respect of his enemies with his spectacular victories as commander of the Afrika Korps in World War II. An inspirational leader who made use of concentrating his highly mobile forces, leading from the front and taking advantage of any opportunity offered him. A student of General Heinz Guderian (Achtung – Panzer!) he went on to write "Infanty Attacks"

Transportation in the desert was a new experience for the German Army that was sent to re-inforce their Italian Allies who had colonies and experience in north Africa. Off road ranged from camels to mechanized motor cycles.


This Parabellum is very clean and all matching, "77" last two digits of the serial number appearing on the extractor in the breach block, on the 1st toggle link next to S/42, on the top of the thumb safety and on the bakc of the rear toggle.

The grips ae still walnut with the fine diamond checkering and on the inside they are numbered with the last two digits of the serial number "77".

Above Left: On the right side of the receiver are the three proofs during production of the early droop wing Eagle 63 and then the droop wing eagle (Alder) of the military acceptance of the gun and proof testing of the barrel. Above Right:The extractor is marked with "GELADEN" loaded which gives the shooter both a tactile and visual indication when a round is chambered. Very early innovation that has been attempted to be duplicated by semi-auto makes ever since.

The 1936 Luger was a "Pre-War" manufacture and was this period of peace and rearmament, Thee was the time for the thorough polishing and rust blueing of the gun. There was the time for the distinctive nitrate (straw) blueing of the extractor, magazine release, trigger, thumb safety and locking lever to be all straw blued to produce these magnificent firearms.

The proofs are deeply struck and all the small parts are are serial numberd to the gun by the last two digits, "77". {We have highlighted these numbers with a removable crayon wax called "Lacqer Stick" which is available for sale though us}.

After the defeat at El Alamein and the Allied invasion in Morocco and Algeria Operation Torch, OKW once more upgraded its presence in Africa by creating the XC Army Corps in Tunisia on November 19 1942, and then creating a new 5th Panzer Army headquarters there as well on December 8, under the command of Col.-Gen. Hans-Jürgen von Arnim. The remnants of the Afrika Korps and other surviving units of the 1st Italian Army retreated into Tunisia. Command of the Army Group was turned over to von Arnim in March. On May 13, 1943 remnants of the Afrika Korps along with all other remaining Axis forces in North Africa surrendered.

This is a seldom seen rig with the tropical belt and olive drab buckle of the Afrikakorps that was captured with the 1936 gun an holster. The German holster has the Afrikakorps stamp on itand is numbered to the gun. The holster comes with an extra matching magazine & proofed loading tool. This is a minty 82 year old inheritance of history that is seldom available to the WWII collector. SOLD

The gun is classified as a Curio and Relic and can be shipped directly to those licensees. We reserve the right to withdraw any firearm from an auction site that is sold over the counter. Prices are adjusted for cash transactions. Thanks for looking. Call for availability Any questions or request for additional pictures email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com.

LAYAWAYS: Sometimes our "significant other" doesn't understand the beauty, craftsmanship and investment potential of one of these investor grade weapons. In these circumstances where discretion becomes the better part of valor we will accept layaways of up to one year with at least 20% down and some activity occurring monthly to insure that after one year the sale is completed. Cancellations of layaways forfeit 33% if done within two months, otherwise 100%. You can transfer a layaway to a consignment sale at any time. See "Legal" for exact terms.

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We honor a three day return policy. We will answer any questions, send you any pictures, as detailed as you want, to insure that what we are showing you is what you want to see, before you buy it. See Legal.

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WARNING: We do not represent these guns as safe to fire. They are not test fired before sale; they are sold as collectibles only. Prior to firing you should have it inspected by a qualified individual and abide by all safety requirements.

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