Daggone, that's a lot of tools (and $$) on the table!

You also need one to fill out a complete rig too even if you don't shoot...
I was fortunate to get an E/135 tool with a recent byf/42 "Black Widow" rig acquisition - I didn't realize how expensive they were
(some much more than others).
Are the grooves machined in the back supposed to ride along the ridge in the magazine?
As you might guess I don't know much about Lugers, and it doesn't fit all that great on the late fxo mags that came with the rig.

 

The E/135 tool is a hard one to find, and lucky to get it.

Yes, the grooves in the back of the tool ride on the ridge in the magazine, keeping the tool from moving from side to side.

 

I have a matching numbers (except for the mags) 1939 Luger my Dad brought back from France following WWII. I think I understand your explanation but a photo of one in place on a mag would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

 

I believe this is the way it should work, but as you can see mine doesn't quite fit right, the lip inside the tool isn't properly engaging the button and it slips off.
Not that I'll ever load or shoot this one, but still...

 

I believe this is the way it should work, but as you can see mine doesn't quite fit right, the lip inside the tool isn't properly engaging the button and it slips off.

I had a Luger many years ago. Wish I had known about the tool. A shooting buddy got frustrated trying to load and broke the spring.

If you don't have the tool or it won't fit you can slip a 9mm casing over the button to use as a lever. A .38 Special case will also work. It's almost like the guy who designed it knew what he was doing.

 

A little history on the "Black Widow" P.08. The black bakelite grips and magazine bottom were an approved substitute if wood grips were not available. Collectors didn't like the black substitutes, and the pistols did not sell well. The late Luger dealer Ralph Shattuck came up with the "Black Widow" name, and sales of the P.08 with black bakelite grips took off.

 

Johnny, I sent you a PM. Don

 

Under the new and improved forum I don't have a clue as to where the PM's are.

 

I had a Luger many years ago. Wish I had known about the tool. A shooting buddy got frustrated trying to load and broke the spring.
I traded the Luger for a Winchester.

 

I appreciate the tip on using the loading tool. I have one and a Luger but never put two and two together.

 

Don't feel alone...I din't realize it either.
I had to pull my Luger and loading tool out of the safe and try it.

 

As many Lugers I have seen with their holster, few loading tools are present. It must have been easy to lose or it did not function well.

 

In recent years most dealers sell the holster and loading tool separately should they come across a complete rig.

 

My favorite Luger loading tool

 

Can't tell for sure what the marking is under the eagle. Several looked similar.

Probably my favorite tool, a Weimar Navy tool.

Also, on this tool you can see how the hole was milled out leaving a lip to catch over the magazine button for loading.

 

Another interesting tool for the Luger. From 1914 until 1917 the LP.08 or "Artillery" Luger had fine tune front and rear sights. During 1917 the front sight fine tune was eliminated, followed by the rear fine tune sight.

The spanner shown was for adjusting these sights.

 

I would like to have the correct tool for my 1935 G Date Luger but those little pieces of metal with the proper markings for a particular gun can be quite expensive these days. I thought $150 knurled handle Smith & Wesson SAT's were crazy ! Maybe I'll just buy a replica for the occasional times I run a mag or two through it.

 

Look at the price for a 1935 G date holster! They are rare.

 

or a fitted domed rubber faucet washer works on all brands of small button mags

 

The very early Luger magazines did not have the raised center section of the magazine button. They were perfectly flat with checkering all the way across, and especially hard to load without the tool. This lasted only a brief while, and the raised portion of the magazine button was added, and the frame relieved slightly to allow clearance.