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The Mauser Luger is often designated by the number 42 on the top of the receiver or BYF markings. The luger was first introduced as the standard German sidearm in 1908 and is referred to as the P08. It was designed by Georg Luger who also developed the 9mm Parabellum. The 9mm Parabellum also goes by the names 9mm Luger and 9x19mm, and is distinct from a number of other cartridges that use the designation "9mm" in their names (such as 9mm short, 9mm Makarov, 9mm largo).
In the pre-WWI period Lugers were produced by the German government arms factory in Erfurt as well as by Loewe & Co., which was at that time named Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM). The Luger was the standard German sidearm throughout World War I. Luger production continued sporadically during the post-war period, in part due to restrictions on German arms manufacture imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. The allies permitted official production to begin in 1925 at Simson and company. Simson, however, was owned by Jews, and the company was liquidated when the Nazis came into power. The Luger manufacturing machinery was purchased by Krieghoff. Mauser purchased DWM's Luger manufacturing machinery in 1929, and produced Lugers until the later part of World War II. The Luger was officially replaced for German military use in 1940 by the Walther P38 double-action 9mm Parabellum pistol.
Mauser produced a series of Lugers somewhat similar to the Swiss military model in the early 1970's.
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