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Exceptional Pre-World War II "K" Date S/42 Luger Pistol with 1934 Dated Holster Rig
NOTICE THE
PISTOL HAS TWO MATCHING MAGAZINES
LOT 3335
Outstanding Mauser “K” Date “S/42” Code P.08 Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol Rig with Two Matching Magazines and “1934” Dated Holster -
Serial no. 8431, 9 mm cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1934, the highly desirable “K” date “S/42” code Lugers were part of
the effort of the relatively fresh Nazi government to start moving out from under the
restrictions of the Versailles Treaty in preparation for their wars of aggression. While
international will to enforce the Treaty had been slipping for some time by this point,
there was still concern of pushback, which led to the system of using letters in lieu of
plain dates (a procedure that would be abandoned once it became clear that no one
was going to raise a fuss) and the use of assigned codes in lieu of plain maker’s marks
(which would be the status quo through the end of the war). Being among the arms on
tap for some of the earliest action of World War II in Europe, letter code firearms rarely went
unissued, being on the belts and in the hands of the soldiers executing the earliest political
and military occupations of Germany’s neighbors, often being subjected to years of wartime
wear and tear, sometimes outright destroyed by the harsh conditions of combat, making
them rare in any condition, let alone in condition as fine as this example. Fixed sights, with
the “K” date on the chamber, “S/42” code on the front toggle link, “B][90” on the extension and
barrel, “S][91” on the extension, and “droop wing eagle” firing proofs on the barrel, extension
and breechblock. The underside of the barrel bears a “8,83” (double struck) internal diameter
stamp on the underside, and block “S” stamps are present on the front toggle link and safety bar.
Matching numbers are present overall in the traditional military pattern, including the checkered
grips and nickel finished alloy base magazines, both bearing “H” stamps on the spine and “B][90”
on the base, with a proper “+” stamp on the extra magazine base. includes a black leather flap
holster, marked “LEDERWERKE/KARL ACKVA A.G./BAD KREUZNACH/1934” and “1934” on the front
of the body under the flap and proper pockets and flaps for the included “O][37” marked takedown
tool and “B][90” and “S” marked cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% of the original blue finish, showing some thinning on the gripstraps,
bright edge wear, mild handling marks and some areas of brown patina. 80% of the original straw color is present on the small parts, and 70% of the original niter blue. The grips are very fine, with some dings and flat spots on the otherwise sharp checkering. The holster is fine, with some cracking of the closure strap and mild scratches and wear overall. Mechanically excellent. Certainly the best correct two matched magazine “K” date rig we have offered. One will look a long time to find a better example!
188 Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000