German Luger Collectibles

1938 Mauser S/42 SOLD

This is a 1938 Chamber dated Mauser S/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. (2101)

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 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

This Luger has been cared for over 81 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 1938 for the serious collector who demands the best in collectable Lugers. This is a very clean gun with an excellent barrel and all matching magazine.

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 blue sleeved with aluminum pinned bottom and are proofed with the straight wing Eagle 63. Proof marks are well struck and clearly visible.

This is a splendid example of the 1938 Parabellum with a pre-war gun on the Mauser built frame, polished and salt blued. 1938 found Mauser in the late "a" suffix block and it proceeded to produce approximately 111,962 Parabellums.

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.


Here we can see the early Mauser Eagle 63 proofs with the Straight Wing and the early Waffenamt (Ordinance) drooped wing acceptance stamp. Sometimes there is an Eagle 83 but this inspector is very rare.

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.


Above Left: The stick wing Eagle 63 clearly shows on the right sig along with the Test Proof 2 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.

The extractor displaying "GELADEN" (Loaded) protrudes from the breech to indicate to the shooter that the gun is loaded by visually and tactilely that the gun is loaded, even at night.

1938 saw the complete implementation of the reinforced Mauser frame the 2mm 'hump' on the rear of the frame to protect the rear main axel pin and another noticeable identification, the small machined dimple in the track of the stock lug. The hot salt treatment continued to produce some small parts in the 'plum' color caused by temperature of the bluing process. Barrels were 100mm and are predominantly marked with the barrel gauge between 8.81-8.83.


This is a standard 1934 Model gun designated by collectors as the 1938 "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. The first toggle link is marked with the S/42 Mauser code. There is the "V" rear sight on the rear toggle link and the last two digits of the serial number appear. This is a basic excellent collector gun with all matching numbers.


Above Left: With the side plate removed you can see the trigger with the last two digits also on the locking lever. Above Right: You can see the Parabellum in full recoil. We can also see the rear of the frame with a 2mm extension at the rear indicating a Mauser made frame. The "thumb down" safety positions exposes the "Gesichert" (Safe) telling the shooter the gun is safe. You can also see the sear stop (serial numbered "42") in the up position. In 1932 the Reichswehrministerium issued an order that the rear connecting pin be serial numbered to the gun.

One of the changes in 1938 was the transition from one type of S/42 to another; more a search of collectors but worth noting. A new die was created in early 1938 and the evidence is most easily seen in the "4" of the S/42. The early 1938 "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.

The 1938 Mauser represents the completion of the factory switch from the rust blued to the salt blued finish. On the toggle train the breech block has the last two digits from the serial number and the Trial Proof 2 while the 1st toggle has the last two digits of the serial number on top. The rear toggle link has the serial number on the rear.


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.


The front and rear of P-08. The front of the frame displays the full serial number and the suffix "n". 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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