WWII German Mauser byf P.08 P08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1869
LSB#: 220203JG001
Make: Mauser
Model: Luger Model P.08 byf Code
Serial Number: 3726w
Year of Manufacture: 1941
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel extension is marked “41” on the chamber ring, the left is marked “3726”, the right has eagle over “655” waffenamts and an eagle clutching swastika mark. The bottom of the barrel is marked “3726 / 8,82”, the right of the barrel has an eagle clutching swastika mark, the left has eagle over “655”. The front face of the frame is marked “3726 / w”, the left of the frame is marked “P.08” on the flat in front of the safety lever. The left of the breech-bolt has an eagle clutching swastika mark. The sear is marked “26”, found again on the toggle pin, the top of the extractor, left of the breech-block, top-rear of the front toggle, back of the rear toggle, left of the firing pin, takedown lever, trigger, sideplate, top of the bolt stop and safety. The top of the front toggle is marked “byf”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The left of the frame is marked “GESICHERT” at the safety. The inside of each grip panel have small marks which appear to be eagle over “655” waffenamts, but are difficult to make out.
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 wood panels. The grips have light-moderate handling wear with scattered compressed checkers, some light nicks and scuffs. There are some small losses at the top edge of the left panel, concealed when installed. The checkering ranges from smoothed to well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is in handling wear in the grip areas and some scattered light surface oxidation. There are infrequent spots of light surface erosion and some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear and there is handling wear on the controls. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with a strong slot. Most markings are clear, some inspection marks are poorly struck or shallow. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
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 8-round alloy-floorplate magazine, marked “42” and eagle over “655” on the floorplate. The magazine has scattered finish wear and light surface erosion. There is a dent on the right of the body in front of the follower slot which interrupts the follower once a 7th cartridge is loaded and there is another dent lower down on the left side. The feed lips are intact and the spring is strong.
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. During the war, the Germans used codes to disguise the manufacturer of their weapons, and the toggle links changed from DWM to S/42, 42 and finally byf. The byf marked Lugers were the last made by Mauser before they were forced to abandon the Luger in favor of the P38. This is a Mauser Model P.08 byf-code Luger pistol manufactured in 1941. The pistol is in Very Good condition, with about 85% of its original metal finish remaining. The serial marked parts of the pistol match, though the grip and magazine appear to be replacements. The byf Lugers represent the last of the WWII Mauser-made Lugers and are a must-have for any Luger collector. Please see our photos and good luck!