German Luger Collectibles

1937 Early Mauser SOLD

This is an early 1937 Chamber dated Mauser Code "S/42" in excellent condition. Truly a collector's find! There is the Mauser Code S/42 on the first toggle link with a "V" notch rear sight on the 2nd toggle. The last two digits of the serial number appear on all the small parts including the thumb safety, all matching numbers. In the early part of 1937 a decision was made to eliminate the straw bluing of the locking lever, trigger, thumb safety, magazine release and ejector and then salt blue the gun. This produced the highly sought after "early" 1937, the last of the original finish Lugers. (1954)

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.


Featuring a 100mm (4" barrel) and without the Mauser manufactured 2mm "hump" at the rear of the frame. This tells us that in 1937 they were still using up DWM stocks and parts from their merger with BKIW. This is the classic Model 1934 as manufactured for German Military Acceptance as witnessed by the various Eagle 63 Waffen Amt proofs. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "Geladen." This example has all matching numbers.

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.

These Lugers were manufactured by Mauser-Werke in Oberndorf. The S/42 code was being instituted in 1934-1939. In addition in April 1939 the new style Eagle over the Swastika replaced the former droop-winged eagle army acceptance stamp. The magnificent blue of the gun was achieved by the rust-blue finish Later in 1937 the small parts were all blued instead of straw-blue and the finish was changed to a hot salt blue finish.

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. The firing pin is original and serial numbered to the gun. All serial numbers match including the magazine. The magazine is the blue sleeved model with aluminum pinned bottom; proofed with the droop wing eagle 63. Proof marks are well struck and clearly visible.


This is a standard 1934 Model gun designated by collectors as the 1937 "S/42" Mauser. This Luger has all matching numbers. The finish is very good and this model has a hold open latch and stock lug. This is a basic excellent collector gun with all matching numbers.

Above Left: These pictures show the grips displaying the "99" (last two digits of the serial number). Above Right: You can see the Parabellum in full recoil. We can also see the rear of the frame with a straight edge at the back and not present is the 2mm extension of a Mauser made frame. Therefore we should conclude this is a remainder from the DWM stocks that were still being intermittently used up in 1937. In 1932 the Reichswehrministerium issued an order that the rear connecting pin be serial numbered to the gun. In this case we see the last two digits of the serial #99.


This is a splendid example of the 1937 Parabellum with an early gun on the original DWM frame and all the appropriate parts straw blued. A very hard to find variation of the "early 1937" model.

(Above) You can see the craftsmanship present in the machined parts, all serial number, all matching. The left side of the Parabellum has all the matching serial numbers in the exposed "military" manner.

Early picture of Adolph Hitler in the 1920's during the period of the beer hall putsch when he was just organizing and recruiting followers. Above Right: A. Hitler with the President of Germany Field Marschall von Hindenburg. During the transition from Chancellor to Der Führer Hitler took great care to afford Hindenburg with respect since he was loved by the German people from his WWI victories. :


This is a standard 1934 Model gun designated by collectors as the 1937 "S/42" Mauser. This Luger has all matching numbers. The finish is very good and this model has a hold open latch and stock lug. This is a basic excellent collector gun with all matching numbers.

ABOVE RIGHT: On the right is the removal of the side plate revealing the trigger with the "99" displayed there. Above Left: The military display of serial numbers was all exposed so you can see the "99" on the small parts.

The right and left side of the Parabellum are in minty condition with all the straw blue clean and shiny; emphasing the value of the 1937, the last time Mauser didn't rust blue the guns and apply straw (heat treatment) to the small parts.

This Luger has been cared for over 79 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 1937 for the serious collector who demands the best in collectable Lugers. This is a very clean

Acceptance stamps began in the Imperial era with a crowned Gothic character and were personalized to an individual inspector. When Germany became a Republic in 1918 the State Eagle or Reichsadler replaced the Imperial Crown in acceptance stamps. At the end of production the guns were brought before bluing for inspection and the serial numbers were applied and the testing occurred to achieve the final acceptance proof.


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.

On the barrel is the clear proof of the drooped wing Eagle 37 indicating the barrel was produced and inspected at the Mauser plant. On the Extractor is the word 'GELADEN' (Loaded) which protruded to tell the shooter both visually and tactilely that the Parabellum was loaded. On the breach block was the early military acceptance stamp with the drooped wing alder (eagle).

TThis close up of the top of the Luger shows a very small proof on the upper left of the barrel, the full 1937 date over the chamber, the last two digits of the serial number "42" on the extractor and 1st toggle link and on the rear of the 2nd toggle. All matching and in marvelous condition. EXT

Above Left: Here we can see the early Mauser Eagle 63 proofs with the drooped wings and the early Waffenamt (Ordinance) drooped wing acceptance stamp. The dropped wing Eagle 63, an early Mauser proof used until the straight wing E63 which was introduced in 1939 with the Code 42 marked Lugers. Above Right: On the top quarter of the barrel is the E63 proof and on the locking lever and side plate the last two digits of the serial number.

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.

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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