WWII German Army Mauser 42 P.08 9mm Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3425
LSB#: 230411JM001
Make: Mauser
Model: Luger Model P.08
Serial Number: 770f
Year of Manufacture: 1940
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel extension is marked “1940” on the chamber ring, the left is marked “770”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “770” and “8,82”. The front face of the frame is marked “770 / f”. The sideplate is marked “70”, found again on the takedown lever, the top of the extractor, left of the breech-block, top-rear of the front toggle, back of the rear toggle, the safety, the bolt stop, the trigger, the sear, the toggle pin, and left of the firing pin. The front toggle link has “42” (Mauser code). The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The left of the breech-bolt is marked with an eagle clutching swastika, found again on the right of the barrel and the right of the barrel extension. The barrel extension also has eagle over “655” waffenamts, found again on the inside of each grip panel. Each grip panel also has a large “70” stamped. The floorplate of the magazine is marked “770 / f”. The left of the magazine is marked “122” and eagle over “37”.
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 minor handling wear with only a few light marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered minor marks, most notable is a scratch across the sideplate and the left frame-flat. The action shows minor operational wear. There are a few other scattered small marks and spots of minor erosion under the finish, most notable in the recesses on each side of the frame at the top-rera. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine-Excellent 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 black leather flap-holster and a single 8-round magazine. The rear of the holster is marked “DLU / 1941”, with WaA123 waffenamt and “P.08”. The magazine’s floorplate shows some polishing on the bottom, but the markings are quite clear.
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.
This 42 code example was made in 1940, just as Germany was consolidating their dominance over Western Europe. The pistol is in Fine-Excellent condition as refinished, retaining about 97% of its new metal finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. The serialized parts of the pistol are matching, please see photos of the magazine floorplate as it may have been matched to the pistol. This pistol will be great for those wanting a piece of German history and for those collectors with an interest in WWII weaponry and 20th Century small arms. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
