WWI German Erfurt P.08 P08 P-08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1916 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1925

LSB#: 210506MW34

Make: Erfurt Imperial Arsenal

Model: P08 Luger

Serial Number: 4283b

Year of Manufacture: 1916

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Action Type: Toggle Action Single Action Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine Fed

Markings: The left side of the breech-bolt, sideplate, sear bar, sear bar safety, and takedown lever, the extractor, the bolt-stop, the striker, the trigger, the back of the rear toggle link and the top of the front toggle link are marked “83”. The front toggle is marked with a crown over “ERFURT”, each toggle has a crowned script letter. The front of the frame under the barrel is marked “4283 / b” and the underside of the barrel is marked “4283”, the bottom of the barrel is also marked “8,83”, the top-right with an Imperial German eagle. The top of the barrel extension at the chamber is marked “1916”, the left side is marked “4283”. The right side of the barrel extension is marked with three crowned scripted characters and an Imperial German eagle. The left side of the breechblock is marked with an Eagle. The left side of the frame in front of the safety is marked “GESICHERT”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The inside surface of the right  grip is marked “83” and with two script characters. The inside surface of the left grip is marked “83” and with a script character. Most components bear a crowned script character inspection mark.

Barrel Length: 4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp blade dovetailed to a base at the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the rear toggle link.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have light handling wear with a few scattered light marks. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts Strawed.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion scattered through the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some holster wear on the toggle train, frame rails and the sideplate. The grip areas show light handling wear. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The receiver is tight to the frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a black leather flap-holster with a total of two 8-round magazines. The holster has scattered light wear, fraying on the flap strap, one of the belt loops has broken stitches at the bottom and there are some broken stitches where the flap attaches to the body. Overall, the holster is in about Good condition One magazine is tin-plated, the other blued, and both have alloy floorplates. The blued magazine’s floorplate is marked “2 / 7026” and the left of the body is marked “2/1001”, the tin-plated magazine’s floorplate is marked “2107 / a”. The blued magazine shows minor wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Fine condition. The tinned magazine has light operational wear, some oxidation in the worn areas, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: The Luger (Pistole Parabellum or P-08) is perhaps the most aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing of all autoloading centerfire pistols. It is also one of the strongest, most accurate and most recognizable service pistols ever made. Georg Luger developed his famous pistol in 1898-1899 (starting with the Borchardt/Luger transitional pistol). The Luger is, essentially, a much improved Borchardt type pistol, which was itself based on the toggle action concept used by Sir Hiram Maxim in the world’s first practical machine gun. The Luger was so well liked and reliable that it was still being made and issued to German troops well after the P38 was adopted by the army. This Erfurt Arsenal made Luger was made in 1916 and all of the serial numbers on the pistol are matching, though both magazines are non-matching. The proof and inspection marks are correct for a 1916 Erfurt military issue pistol. This pistol is in about Very Good condition with about 85% of its original finish remaining. The bore is gray with well defined rifling and light erosion. The receiver is tight to the frame and the pistol is in great mechanical condition for being over 100 years old. This is a very nice find for Luger collectors and those with an interest in German military arms as used in WWI and WWII. Please see our photos and good luck!

WWI German Erfurt P.08 P08 P-08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1916 C&R
WWI German Erfurt P.08 P08 P-08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1916 C&R