German Luger Collectibles

1939 Mauser Code 42 SS Rig (SOLD)

1939 Luger

This is a 1939 Chamber dated Mauser 42 Code built for the German army. 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. This is an all matching Parabellum with a matching magazines. (1412)

This extraordinary 'bring back' is marked on the holster with not only the SS runes on the inside flap but also the death head (Totenkopf) on the exterior flap. The serial number of the gun is stamped on the holster thereby linking the gun to an SS (Schutzstaffel) uinit which was a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. The Totenkopf was the symbol of the 3rd SS Panzer Division "Totenkopf" which was an elite division of the Waffen-SS of Nazi Germany during World War II.

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. Please visit Legal (tabbed) for Conditions of Sale.


This Luger is proofed with the Eagle 655 proofed marks. The extractor is the only part not blued since the 1937 revision where with wartime production all the parts were blued. The barrel and slide are highly polished and the blue was almost a commercial grade making this gun a very good specimen.

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. This is very nice battlefield bring back with a short sear, type II magazine and stock lug.

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style; displayed on the left side of the receiver, the side plate, the locking bolt, the sear bar safety, the extractor, the forward toggle link, the front of the frame, under the barrel, and on the side of the trigger. See Kenyon, *Lugers At Random*, Page 276

The underside picture shows the full serial number under the barrel and the receiver with the last two digits on the locking lever an the side plate. The grips are marked with the last two digits of the serial number and are in excellent condition.

The serial number appears on the front of the frame, on the left side of the receiver, under the barrel and the last two digits on most small parts. All serial numbers match including the magazines. The magazine is blue sleeved with aluminum pinned bottom and are proofed with the straight wing Eagle 655. Proof marks are well struck and clearly visible.

In this picture one can see the Totenkopf on the collar tabs of the soldiers riding in the truck. The SS soldiers were highly trained and motivated and were usually used to spearhead attacks or sent when the situation became desperate.


This is a splendid example of the 1939 Parabellum with a pre-war gun on the Mauser built frame, polished and salt blued. 1939 found Mauser in the late "x" suffix block and it proceeded to produce approximately 111,962 Parabellums.

This is a marvelous holster, all original with the original stitching intact. The exterior of the flap appears the SS totenkopf or the death head symbol, while worn still visible. While on the inside of the flap one can see the SS stamp; when opened the four digit serial number of the gun is stamped in the holster indicating that some unit level these two were matched together. Inside the flap is the loading tool proof marked with the Eagle 655 proof and the second magazine which is also serial number to the gun. Truly a tremendous find from what is believed the 3rd SS Panzer Division.

The original color was black, not one of the World War I brown holster that was died. On the back of the holster one can find the Waffenamt stamp & the belt loops in fine condition.

TheTotenkopf appears to be stamped into the leather and is somewhat worn but the image is clear. This gun was probably surrendered to some G.I. at the end of the war because it appears to of been little used. Above Right: The Division symbol of the 3rd SS Panzer Div was the Totenkopf which also appeared written on their cuff band.

Note the shiny blue on the barrel and the slide. This Luger has been cared for over 83 years now. It is looking for a good home. It is very difficult to find an all matching serial numbered gun and a matching magazine. This is a premium 1939 for the serious collector who demands the best in collectable Lugers. This is a very clean gun with an excellent barrel and was polished before blueing to a commercial grade and it is a very prized war trophy.

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IIn this picture we see a command car and a motocycle curier from the 3rd SS Armored Division. On can see the map bag on the belt of the curier and the Totenkopf tabs on the collars of the vehicle riders.


The top of this Code 42 Mauser is polished and blued to a shiny reflection and was probably converted from a commercial Luger to meet the demands of the expanding military. Germany invaded Poland in September 1939 and the war had begun.

Above Left: In 1932 the Reichswehrministerium issued an order that the rear connecting pin be serial numbered to the gun which was requi. red beginning in 1933. Above Right: The Mauser manufactured "hump" at the rear of the frame to protect the rear main axel pin. This is the classic Model 1934 as manufactured for German Military Acceptance as witnessed by the various Eagle 655 Waffen Amt proofs.

Here you can see all the parts marked with the last two digits of the serial number plus the Geladen (Loaded) on the Extractor and the Gesichert (Safe) on the thumb safety. The extractor tells the shooter the gun has a round in the chamber both visually and tactilely. Long before other firearms began to show loaded.

Above Left: The stick wing Eagle 655 clearly shows on the right sig along with the Test Proof 2nd stamp on the receiver and the barrel. This last proof was assigned after passing the pressure test of over-loaded rounds. Above Right: The left side exhibits the full four digits of the serial number and then the last two digits of the serial number.


This is a standard 1934 Model gun designated by collectors as the 1939 "Code 42" Mauser. The finish is very good and this model has a hold open latch and stock lug. The first toggle link is marked with the Code 42 Mauser code. There is the "V" rear sight on the rear toggle link and the last two digits of the serial number appear.

Above Left: With the side plate removed you can see the trigger with the last two digits also on the locking lever and the trigger Above Right: Under the flap you can see the 4 digit serial number of the gun, matching this Luger to the SS marked holster.


One of the changes in 1939 was the transition from one type of Code 42 to another; more a search of collectors but worth noting. A new die was created in early 1939 and the evidence is most easily seen in the "4" of the 42. The early 1939 "4" had the more open top as opposed to the the latter that was more closed at the top. A very minor difference but like a misstruck coin it is a distinction and duly noted by collectors between the "b" and "c" block.


Here is the inside of the Luger and you can see it is clean and has been well cared for over the years. The trigger is serial numbered as well as the rear main axel pin. The action is tight and the barrel is excellent. There is honest holster wear on the muzzle, barrel and high points on the sides. The barrel is shiny and shows distinct lands and grooves.

More views of the P-08. The front of the frame displays the full serial number and the suffix "x". The rear toggle is marked with the last two digits of the serial number and the "V" rear sight. Also on the rear is the lanyard loop used by calvary troops.

The most distinctive feature of these pistols is undoubtedly the toggle-lock mechanism, which holds the breech closed by locking in a manner not unlike the human knee, which can sustain a heavy weight when straight, but once bent is quite easy to continue to bend. The toggle joint in its straight position resists the rearward force of the detonating cartridge, then "buckles" after enough time has passed. When a round is fired the entire breech, barrel and toggle move straight rearward (on rails) until the toggle begins to ride up on a pair of cams that "breaks" the toggle (makes it bend at the joint). Once the toggle joint is no longer straight, it bends freely, allowing the bolt to come rearward, and the striker to be cocked. The spent cartridge is extracted by a combination extractor/loaded chamber indicator on the top of the toggle, is ejected as the toggle nears the end of its rearward Free Travel Info, and a new round is stripped from the magazine and chambered as the toggle is driven back to the straight position by a spring.

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

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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3 Day Return Policy

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.

FIRING ANY WEAPON NEGATES ANY CHANCE OF RETURN!

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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