Pre-WWII Mauser S/42 S42 P.08 P08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1938 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1826
LSB#: 210929FW08
Make: Mauser
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 676m
Year of Manufacture: 1938
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel extension is marked “1938” on the chamber ring, the left is marked “676”. The extractor is marked “76”, found again on the takedown lever, trigger, sideplate, safety, the left of the firing pin, breech-block, top of the front toggle link, rear of the back toggle link, the sear, and the bolt stop. The toggle pin does not have a serial marking. The top of the front link is also marked “S/42” (Mauser production code). The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The front face of the frame is marked “676 / m”. The left of the breech-block has an eagle inspection mark. The right of the barrel extension has two eagle over “63” waffenamts and an eagle inspection mark. The right-rear of the barrel has an eagle inspection mark, the top-left has an eagle over “63” waffenamt. The bottom of the barrel is marked “676 / 8,82”. The magazine floorplate is marked with “6259 / k” and eagle over “63” waffenamt. The inside of each grip panel is marked “76”.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated 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 show light handling wear with some light nicks and scuffs. There is a more notable patch of compressed checkers on the left panel near the middle, a line of compressed checkers at the front edge of the right panel toward the bottom and worn checkers at the bottom-front of the right panel. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: We believe that the pistol has been restored or at least some areas have been touched-up. The toggle pin is a replacement.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion scattered through the bore and stubborn copper fouling.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has some finish wear and a spot of light surface erosion on the left and a few other minor marks. The frame has handling wear in the grip areas, showing discoloration from oxidation in the wear. The top-rear of the frame is the area which appears most obviously refinished or at least having been treated with cold blue. There is finish wear on the right frame rail and some minor erosion on the left frame flat. The raised portion of the sideplate is worn to white. The takedown lever has a series of nicks under its finish. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation and some minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The markings are generally clear, some are crisp with raised edges and some are worn, but legible. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with a strong slot. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is barely perceptible play between the barrel assembly and 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 with a single blued magazine with alloy floorplate. The magazine has operational wear and some minor surface oxidation with intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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 reliable and well liked that it was still being made and issued to German troops well after the P38 was adopted by the army. The largest percentage of Lugers were made by DWM, which became Mauser in 1930. Before and during the war, the Germans used codes to disguise the manufacturer of their weapons as well as the quantity produced, and the toggle links changed from DWM to S/42, 42 and finally byf. This S/42 example was made in 1938, prior to Germany’s violation of the Munich Agreement or invasion of Poland, leading to the outbreak of WWII. The pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished. The pistol shows operational, handling and holster wear, retaining strong mechanics and a good bore. This pistol will be nice for those wanting a piece of German history and for those collectors with an interest in German weaponry and 20th Century small arms. Please see our photos and good luck!