This is a 1942 Pistole 08 military gun manufactured by Mauser. This piece is a 4 inch (100 mm) 9mm Parabellum.  To conceal production a series of alphabetical dates were assigned in addition to the code on the toggle byf (issued to Mauser in February 1941).  ''42" dates are representative of the Luger accepted by the German military in 1942.  (756)

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.  The black plastic grips and black magazine bottom are what designates this gun as the "Black Widow".  That and the fact it was issued to SS police battalions that did the occupation law enforcement behind the front line troops.

This is a standard 1934 Model gun designated by collectors as the "Black Widow" 42/byf Mauser. This Luger has all matching numbers. The finish is very good on this model and model has a hold open latch and stock lug. The first toggle link is marked with the byf 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 collector gun.

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.

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The Eagle 135 Proof with the straight wings tells us that this is an either late 1941 or 1942 produced Luger.   The Swastika/Eagle Proof with the full wings appears on the receiver, the barrel and the left side of the front toggle link.  This proof began in September 1939 and simply verifies the production date of this Luger and is the Waffenamt acceptance..

These are known to collectors as the 1934 Model (the general period when the rework of the DWM/BKIW ended and new production began).

In 1941 production was on a war time footing at Mauser in Oberndorf. The German military's decision to switch to the less expensive P38 in 1938 had begun to reduce the contracts to  Mauser to produce Lugers. In mid-1942 Mauser also tooled up to start producing the P38. However, there was a large requirement to arm all the various police units throughout Germany and the captured territories .

War time production also discarded the extra steps of "straw blueing" the trigger, thumb safety, locking lever in favor of the complete blue process.  So to we begin to see the dark colors of the hot salt blue treatment.

The issue of these "black" Parabellums to mostly police and Gestapo units and their use of as props in era war movies gave them the "sinister" connotation associating  the Luger and the Nazi's.  Ralph Shattuck, the world renowned Luger collector for over 40 years, is credited with applying the term "Black Widow" to these pistols of the 41-42 era with black plastic grips and magazines. Aptly applied the term has stuck with collectors the world over.

Late in 1941 the Waffenamt 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.

The barrel is serial numbered to the gun. 

Above Right: These magazines were salt blued/black with extruded steel, black plastic bottoms and a new zig-zag 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.

The 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.

The inside of the gun is clean with no evidence of pitting or rust. It has been cared for many years.  This is an exceptional Luger being in such fine shape and bearing all the correct proofs and markings to make it a text book "42 byf" Black Widow.    See Kenyon Lugers at Random Page 288.

This Luger is identified as a curio and can be send directly to C&R licensees and above.   Questions to: josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

Of the 1942 byf's not many Parabellums went to the German army.  It is believed the serial number range to be between 500 to 149m.  The balance of the production was to the Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Portugal and Bulgaria.

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 magazine, a period belt and Nazi belt buckle.  The green painted buckle was worn by an enlisted man with his field uniform. What a wonderful WWII battlefield bring-back.

The holster is original 1941 manufactured with a clear Waffen Amt stamp on the exterior along with the P 08.  The holster contains the Mauser proofed loading tool and an extra new magazine. The belt buckle is the original Wehrmacht field green.  If you are looking for a real Black Widow bring battlefield bring back in collector grade this one is for you.

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

This battlefield pickup including the all matching "42" Mauser byf Black Widow, a "42" dated holster with a Nazi enlisted belt and buckle and extra magazine. Any questions to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com  This Luger 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.

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.