German Luger Collectibles

1942 Mauser S/42 byf Rig
Black Widow SOLD

This is a 1942 Chamber dated "42" Mauser byf built by Mauser in contract for the German Schutzstaffel SS after the German Army contract for the P-38 was in production. 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, two matching magazines, and a proofed loading tool. (1963)

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.

The Waffen-SS (German for "Armed SS", literally "Weapons SS") was the combat arm of the Schutzstaffel ("Protective Squadron") or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside the Wehrmacht Heer regular army, but was never formally part of it. It was Adolf Hitler's will that the Waffen-SS never be integrated into the army: it was to remain the armed wing of the Party and to become an elite police force once the war was over.


This is a Mauser frame with the short sear and all the small parts nitrate blued. The Mauser manufactured "hump" at the rear of the frame this is the classic Model 1934 as manufactured for German Military Acceptance as witnessed by the various late Eagle 135 Waffen Amt proofs.

This is a good clean example of the Mauser 42. It shows the Mauser deep blue and displays minor holster wear. There appears to be no pitting or damage to the surface and represents a fine example of that period Luger. 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.

Mauser-Werke and Berliner-Karlsruhe Industrie-Werke (BKIW), [BKIW was the successor to DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken)] had common ownership. In 1930 the machinery, technicians and supplies were moved from Berlin-Wittenau to Oberndorf and BKIW's interest in the Parabellum ceased.

The gun is all matching with the serial number on the barrel, the frame and the magazines. Under the barrel serial number is the gauge markings 8.82 measuring the distance between the lands. This all matching Luger with the barrel serial number and gauge markings along with the suffix "x" on the frame and the matching serial number w/the suffix "c" on the late 1930's type 'FXO' E37 extruded magazine.

This Parabellum has a stock lug, is all salt-blued (as post 1936 Lugers were with Mauser) and a hold open. 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. The barrel is strong with distinctive lands and grooves.

SS Division The Waffen-SS, formed in 1940, was the true military formation of the larger SS, and as such, it is the main focus of this section. Formed from the SS-Verfungstruppe after the Campaign in France in 1940, the Waffen-SS would become an elite military formation of nearly 600,000 men by the time WWII was over. Its units would spearhead some of the most crucial battles of WWII while its men would shoulder some of the most difficult and daunting combat operations of all the units in the German military. The Waffen-SS is sometimes thought of as the 4th branch of the German Wehrmacht (Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine) as in the field it came under the direct tactical control of the OKW, although this notion is technically incorrect as strategic control remained within the hands of the SS. To this day the actions of the Waffen-SS and its former members are vilified for ultimately being a part of the larger structure of the political Allgemeine-SS, regardless of the fact that the Waffen-SS was a front line combat organization.


Below: These magazines were salt blued/black with extruded steel, black plastic bottoms and a new zigzag spring with the P.08 markings.These magazines were supplied for mostly Mauser Lugers bearing the Code 42 or byf on the toggles and are exceptionally durable magazine. These FXO on the magazine tells us that it was manufactured by C. G. Haenel Waffen-U-Fahrradfrabrik in the city of Suhl. The Eagle 37 is the German military acceptance stamp used at the Haenel Factory commonly called the Waffenamt. Proof.

Above Right: One can see the small 2mm "hump" distinctive of the Mauser frame to protect the rear main axel pin in full recoil. Note the last two digits of the serial number on the rear main axel pin. 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.

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. The serial number appears on the There is a "V" notched rear sight and stock lug. Mauser made frames had the 2mm "hump" behind the rear main axel pin to prevent the pin from moving when the gun was in full recoil.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.


The inside of the holster is clean and all the stitching is white and still functional. Offered with this 42 Mauser code "byf" an all matching Parabellum, that is furnished with a second FXO matching magazine, and a proofed loading tool.

On the top cover of the holster is a Toptenkopf (Deaths Head) of the Schutzstaffel (SS). In the early days of the NSDAP Julius Schreck, the leader of the Stabswache (Adolf Hitler's bodyguard unit), resurrected the use of the Totenkopf as the unit's insignia. This unit grew into the Schutzstaffel (SS), which continued to use the Totenkopf as insignia throughout its history. According to a writing by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler the Totenkopf had the following meaning; "The skull is the reminder that you shall always be willing to put yourself at stak for the life of the whole community."


In 1941 it was ordered that the Luger and the holster be marked with the P.08 designation. There does not appear to be a special reason for this unless the fact the original hard-shell P-38 holsters were originally marked that way but that is a superficial answer to a question no one has yet answered. On the back is an RZM marking and the Nazi Runes indicating acceptance by the SS.
The SS motto was "*Meine Ehre heißt Treue"* ("My honor is Loyalty.") The SS rank system was unique in that it did not copy the terms and ranks used by the Wehrmacht branches (army, air force, navy), but instead used the ranks established by the post-WWI Freikorps and taken over by the SA.
The loading tool is proofed.

The arrows indicate the manucfacturer by code along with the date of manufacture (1942). Between the belt loops is the Waffenamt proof, inspection by the government upon acceptance and above right is the SS Runes. The holster, without the P-08 proof required by the Wehrmacht shows that this came outside the standard procurement.


The right side of the gun reveals the two stage proofing of the Eagle 135 inspector and on the barrel is the Swastika emblem of the late German military accecptance.

Above/Below the serial number appears on the underside of the barrel with the gauge markings and on the receiver. This is an all matching. 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.

The 41 & 42 byf 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.


The issue of these late war 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. It is apparent that the owner of this Luger was a "true believer" and has stamps and indications he was a member of the early and perhaps late "Werewolf" units.

The SS was established in 1925 as a personal guard unit for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler ("Die Schutz-Staffel der NSDAP" [Shield Squadron of the NSDAP]). Under the leadership of Heinrich Himmler between 1929 and 1945, the SS grew from a small paramilitary formation to become one of the largest and most powerful organizations in Nazi Germany. The Nazis regarded the SS as an elite unit, the party's "Praetorian Guard," with all SS personnel (originally) selected on the principles of racial purity and unconditional loyalty to the Nazi Party.

Above Left a Luger armed soldier being awarded the Iron Cross. Above Right: A recruiting post for the Waffen-SS.

In contrast to the black-uniformed Allgemeine-SS, the political wing of the SS, the military wing, the Waffen-SS evolved into a second German army aside the regular one, the Wehrmacht, operating in tandem with them. The Waffen-SS were encouraged to use confiscated weapons and individual initiative was rewarded. These were committed troops with high loyalty and honor.


This is a good clean example of the Mauser Black Widow. It shows a deep blue and displays minor holster wear. There appears to be no pitting or damage to the surface and represents a fine example of that period Luger. 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.

This is an excellant example of a 1942 byf with the black bakelite grips and black bottom magazine that gave this model the distictive title of the 'Black Widow' .

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.

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.

This 1942 Mauser S/42 SS Black Widow Rig is in good - very good condition. This Parabellum show mininal honest holster wear and a strong shiny barrel. This gun may be sold before being posted as such on the internet.

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 physical deposit. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. Call 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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