German Luger Collectibles

"42" Mauser byf
Black Widow Rig SOLD


This is a 19"42" Chamber dated Mauser byf built for the German *Schutzstaffel* SS for partisan and guerilla warfare suppression. 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, comes with a complete rig of dated holster, chest strap, extra matching magazine and loading tool. (1716)

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.


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 1942 dated 1934 Model although a wartime Mauser variation still exhibits an excellent example of craftsmanship. Note the 2mm hump on the back of the receiver.

Below Left: The barrel is matched to the gun with the serial number and the "f" serial suffix puts this "42" date midway in the 1942 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.

Above Right: The magazines are Eagle 37 proof extruded metal with the black Bakelite. The 2nd magazine to match is in the holster.. This Luger has been cared for over 76 years now. It is looking for a good home.

This Parabellum shows honest holster wear for a 74 year old war veteran. The front and back of the grip straps are still strong in blue and there is no rust present.

This Luger has a deep blue, almost commercial color to it. It is in very clean condition and an exceptionally fine piece. This Luger has been cared for over the years and shows well both inside and out. The barrel is strong with distinctive lands and grooves. One of the methods to identify Mauser frames is the 2mm extension which covers the rear main axel pin.


Sometimes referred to by the Allies derisively as the "parade ground soldiers" the Waffen SS spearheaded most of the assaults, where transferred to "fill the breach" in unstable situations while the Waffen-SS grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions during World War II.


Left to Right: On the barrel you can see the Waffenamt barrel test proof, the "42" dated this Parabellum in 1942, the "14" on the extractor, 1st toggle and back of second toggle link, plus the last Mauser code to be applied to contract Lugers the "byf". The 'byf' code was not unique to the Parabellum but appeared on the Mauser contract P-38 and the G-43.

The rig comes with two matching FXO style magazines which are correct for the "Black Widow" Above Right: With the gun in full recoil we can see the number "14", (the last two digits of the serial number), protected by the 2mm "hump" that only Mauser built into their Parabellums. Even without the name appearing anywhere you can recognize manufacturers individualization of their products.

Beginning with the 1940 models the Type III magazine was introduced with a "Z" spring instead of a coil spring and a metal cap and the base was affixed with a pin through the bottom. This was accepted by the German military in 1939 and implemented in 1940 until the end of Parabellum production. This proved to both reduce construction costs and provided a more even pressure on the follower to keep the rounds feeding smoothly.


The war souvenir; the all black 1942 Black Widow that is all matching, two matching FXO black bottom magazines, the proofed loading tool and a 1942 holster with all the proofs. To conceal production a series of alphabetical dates were assigned in addition to the code on the toggle byf (issued to Mauser in February 1941). ''42" dates are representative of the Luger accepted by the German military in 1942. This Luger has a deep blue, almost commercial color to it. It is in very clean condition and an exceptionally fine piece.

The stitching is still white indicating it is the original died leather that the holster was made of. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. What a wonderful WWII battlefield bring-back. Here you see the covered magazine pouch with an FXO magazine and the proofed loading tool inside the pouch.

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 loading tool, and an extra matching magazine.

Late in 1941 the Waffenamt inspector "E/655" was replaced by "E/135" and so began the new proofs. The stamps reflect the Stage I and Stage II proofing during the construction process and then the Eagle (Alder) with the Swastika both on the receiver and the barrel.

The back of the holster has the "42" date with both the manufactures code and the Waffenamt acceptance stamp. By that time the P.08 was required to separate the P.08 from the P.38 holsters that were being supplied.


The Waffen-SS training stressed individuality and there was no fostered division between the officers and enlisted men. Mission training built cohesive units with special training and tough fighting skills. They were taught to live-off-the-land and their weapons were based more on availability rather than standard issue. When the Wehrmacht was converting to the P38 the SS retained the Luger as their sidearm.


ABOVE : On the right of the receiver are the E135 proofs of the inspector assigned to Mauser and both on the receiver and the barrel is the straight wing eagle with the swastika which represented the latter war military acceptance stamp. The Swastika/Eagle Proof with the full wings appears on the receiver, the barrel and the left side of the front toggle link. This proof began in September 1939 and simply represents the army acceptance.

Additional views of the excellent proofs and markings on this Parabellum. The Black Widow is one of the most sought after Lugers by collectors. Driven by the shortage of materials the Mauser plant adopted the Bakelite grips and magazine bottoms in 1941 and 1942 before production for the P-30, also with Bakelite grips replaced the Luger on the production line.

The Mauser manufactured "hump" at the rear of the frame, as this classic Model 1934, manufactured for German Military Acceptance as witnessed by the various Eagle 135 Waffen Amt proofs. In 1932 the Reichswehrministerium issued an order that the rear connecting pin be serial numbered to the gun which was required by order in 1933.

Brown leather is very hard to find as beginning in 1934 the order was issued for all leather to be dyed black. From the stitching still in the white it tells us that this holster was made and pressed into service in 1942 without regard to dying.

The front and back of the Parabellum showing the excellent front and back grip strap, and the front and rear sight. This Parabellum has a stock lug, is all blued (as post 1937 Lugers were with Mauser) and a hold open.


This Parabellum is all matching including the rear connecting pin which was ordered In March 1932 by the Reichswehrministerium that the rear main axel pin be serial numbered to the gun. You can also see a fine examples of the fire-blued pin. Above Right: The last two digits of the serial number appear on many of the small parts; in this case the locking lever, the trigger and the side of the chamber.
THE BLACK WIDOW

The issue of these "black" appearing Parabellums' went to mostly police and SS Gestapo units and their use of as props in era war movies gave them the "sinister" connotation associating the Luger and the Nazi's. Ralph Shattuck, the world renowned Luger collector for over 40 years, is credited with applying the term "Black Widow" to these pistols of the 40-42 era with black plastic grips and magazines. Aptly applied, the term has stuck with collectors the world over.

The right side of the receiver shows the Stage I & Stage II E135 proofs and the military acceptance stamp which in March 1939 was changed to the straight wing eagle w/the swastika. Many people equate this proof to a "Nazi" proof however from 1933 when Hitler came to power with the NSDAP Party every gun order from the Nazi Government was a Nazi gun.

It is entirely subjective to give any firearm a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few collectible weapons 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 This firearm is eligible for transfer to C&R permit holder, even in California. We are registered with CA DOJ for firearms shipment.

In 1942 the Blitzkrieg had already defeated France. Heinkel test pilot Helmut Schenk becomes the first person to escape from a stricken aircraft with an ejection seat. In the eastern Ukraine, the Soviet Army initiates a major offensive. During the battle the Soviets capture the city of Kharkov from the German Army, only to be encircled and destroyed. In July 1942 twenty-four ships are sunk by German bombers and submarines after Convoy PQ 17 to the Soviet Union is scattered in the Arctic Ocean to evade the German battleship Tirpitz. Germany test flies the Messerschmitt Me 262 (using only its jets) for the first time. The first A-4 rocket is successfully launched from Test Stand VII at Peenemünde, Germany. The rocket flies 147 kilometers wide and reaches a height of 84.5 kilometers, becoming the first man-made object to reach space. However in November the battle of Stalingrad is initiated and by the end of the month the German 6th Army surrenders.

This battlefield pickup comes with an all matching P08 '42 Mauser Code byf, a 1942 holster plus an extra FXO magazine in very good condition and a proofed loading tool.

This Parabellum show honest holster wear and a strong shiny barrel. This gun may be sold before being posted as such on the internet. We would rather answer your questions and provide you with photographs than ship guns back and forth. Requests for additional information or pictures to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

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 does not have a cash deposit. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. Call or email for availability.

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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