Luger Question

[daily1943]

My father brought a luger back from WWII.

Markings are BYF , 41.
on top of barrel are numbers 1800
under barrel are numbers 888 and under those smaller 883
Where S/N's are expected to be there are either letters or numbers 00
Inspection marks appear to be normal type
Luger appears to be in perfect condition. only wear is slight holster wear at very tip of barrel.
Have you ever heard of a Luger with 00 marks where s/n's normally would be
Thanks
Curt Daily

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, if the serial number were 1800, then the last two digits on parts would be 00. But the serial number doesn't go on top of the barrel.

Can you show close clear pictures?

 

[Scorch]

Markings are BYF , 41.
on top of barrel are numbers 1800

Every year, German arsenals started at #1, and added a small subscript to the serial number so they could tell what year the gun was produced. Lugers have the last two numbers of the serial numbers on the small fitted parts. 1800 is the serial number, 00 would be the fitted parts number. Nothing unusual or rare.

 

[James K]

Not exactly, though the "00" is perfectly correct as the last two digits of 1800. The numbering started each year for each manufacturer at 1 (no leading zeros), then went to 9999, then to 1a -9999a, 1b - 9999b and so on. The suffix letter does not indicate the year, it is part of the serial number. The year of manufacture is on the receiver ring (1941 in this case), the maker on the front toggle. (byf was one of several codes assigned to Mauser at different times.)

The 8.88 is the bore size in millimeters as determined by a plug gauge. For 9mm, that will usually range from 8.80 to 8.88mm. Bore gauging was an important part of barrel manufacture and that mark was put on along with the barrel proof (small proof mark) when the barrel was made, not after it was installed. I have no idea why there would be two bore sizes unless the barrel was re-gauged for some reason.

Jim

 

[RickB]

Very interesting info.
Why would the 1800 be on top of the barrel, rather than underneath?
I have a commercial Luger, and the barrel has only the serial, on the bottom.

 

[James K]

The normal WWII military Luger serial number markings are the full serial number, including the suffix letter on the front of the grip frame and on the magazine, and the full number less the suffix on the left side of the receiver above the trigger guard. Other parts normally had only the "last two" numbers.

There is a lot of variation in Luger serial number placement over the years and over the several makers and contracts, so the exact placement will depend on several factors.

The barrel serial number is normally on the bottom, so I am not sure what is on the top on Mr. Daily's pistol. Perhaps he will provide some pictures to help determine what he has.

Jim