1936 Mauser SS Rig

1936 Mauser SS Rig SOLD

PHOENIX INVESTMENT ARMS - PREMIUM COLLECTOR LUGERS

This is a 1936 Chamber dated Mauser S/42 built for contract for the German SS (Schutzstaffel). 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 a complete rig as taken from the battlefield with the gun, holster, 2nd magazine, loading tool, belt & buckle. (828)

This 1936 Parabellum has a stock lug, is blued with strawed parts and a hold open. Proofed in 1936 with the drooped wing Eagle 63 and the Reich's Heer acceptance proof. This rig comes with an all matching Parabellum, a 1936 dated holster, Eagle 63 proofed loading tool, period belt and SS Belt Buckle (RONO) and two matching magazines.

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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.

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.


The soldier who possessed this weapon was more than proud of his SS association to inlay the 3rd SS (Schutz-Staffel) Totenkopf Division formed originally from *SS-Totenkopfverbände* and soldiers from the SS-Heimwehr *Danzig (Prussia)*. 1st led by SS-Obergruppenführer Theodor Eicke affectionately called "Papa" by his highly disciplined and morale troops, Eicke executed SA Chief Ernst Röhm following the Night of the Long Knives when Röhm declared himself more powerful than Adolph Hitler. He was killed later in the war in a plane crash.

Mauser-Werke and Berliner-Karlsruher 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. There is a "V" notched rear sight and stock lug.

To conceal production a series of alphabetical dates were assigned in addition to the code on the toggle S/42 (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 gun is all matching with the serial number on the barrel, the frame and two matching magazines. Below left: SS-Obergruppenführer Theodor Eicke of the 3rd Totenkopf Division


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 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.


Below is the back of the holster with the "1936" date and the Waffen amt acceptance proof. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. 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, an extra matching magazine, a period belt and Nazi SS Enlisted belt buckle. This SS buckle was worn by an SS soldier with his field uniform. What a wonderful WWII battlefield bring-back.

The back oft this holster was made out of pigskin. The leather is still pliable and the pull tab and all other parts are strongly stitched and functional.


The holster is manufacture marked for Berlin 1936 using the old type (Fractur) which would indicate this was an old firm and you can see the piping on the belt straps, all signs of quality. The in-laid death's head is the insignia of the SS Totenkopf (3. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Totenkopf ) The division had officers from the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT), of whom many had seen action in Poland. The division was commanded by SS-Obergruppenführer Theodor Eicke. Through the Battle of France the division was generally equipped with ex-Czech weapons. Having missed the Polish campaign, *Totenkopf* was initially held in reserve during the assault into France and the Low Countries in May 1940. They were committed on 16 May to the Front in Belgium. The Totenkopf soldiers fought fanatically, suffering heavy losses.

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's branches (army, air force, navy), but instead used the ranks established by the post-WWI Freikorps and taken over by the SA.	The back of the leather tab shows the proof of the very early (1920's) Werewolf units that also had adopted the death head from the Hussar units and fought the communists to defeat Bolshevism and preserve Germany from Russian influence.

Above One can see the absence of the small 2mm "hump" distinctive of the Mauser frame to protect the rear main axel pin in full recoil. This indicated this early 1936 S/42 was made with the DWM manufactured frame.
	Note the last two digits of the serial number on the rear main axel pin; 5910 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. This was recognized by the cracking of the flange on these pins due to the exposure in full recoil. Early 1916-17 Navy used an enlarged pin and Mauser instituted a small 2mm "hump" on the rear of the receiver to cover the rear main axel pin. The serial numbers extend to the top of the thumb safety, 1st toggle link and rear of the 2nd toggle.


The 3rd SS Totenkopf saw action a number of times during the French campaign. To the north-east of Cambrai the division took 16,000 French prisoners. Whilst subsequently trying to drive through to the coast they encountered a major Anglo-French force which they had a great deal of difficulty stopping and destroying. Totenkopf had to resort to firing artillery pieces in an anti-tank role, and were assisted by the intervention of Luftwaffe dive-bombers. It then suffered heavy losses during the taking of the La Bassée Canal. Further stiff resistance was then encountered at both Béthune and Le Paradis. The French surrender found the division located near the Spanish border, where it was to stay, resting and refitting, until April 1941.
	A MG34 mounted on a scout motorcycle from the SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler
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 good clean example of the Mauser S/42 1936. It has 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.

	SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler Left: Proofed Loading Tool.

Above you can see the camouflage pattern that was first adopted by the SS before other armies recognized it's value. This smock was printed on both sides with a green and a brownish pattern to blend with the seasons. There was also a full length white smock for wear in the snow, often seen in the Russian campaign.

The inside of this Luger is as clean and well cared for as the exterior. The full flap holster protected the gun from the usual battlefield mishaps. With this close-up you can see all the matching serial numbers from the locking lever to the trigger, to the receiver, the short sear and the safety stop.

The pistol shows the minor honest wear of war with shiny points at the high ridges where it came in contact with the holster. Above 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. Fine cut diamond grips are found on these Lugers while walnut was still in supply in Germany.


Adolf Hitler reviewing the SS (*Schutzstaffel)* along with Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (right with lapel open) who was a German Waffen-SS general, an SS-Oberstgruppenführer, and one of the men closest to Adolf Hitler. For his wartime services, he was one of only 27 men to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.

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 would rather answer your questions and provide you with photographs than ship guns back and forth.

This battlefield pickup comes with an all matching P08 42 Mauser byf, a 1942 SS holster in minty condition plus matching magazine and a proofed loading tool plus a proofed SS officer's belt and buckle. Questions concerning this offering to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com This entire rig is offered for $3,995.00 over the counter.

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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