WWII German Mauser P.08 42 Code 9mm Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3550
LSB#: 230530JD007
Make: Mauser
Model: Luger Model P.08
Serial Number: 6690l
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 “6690”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “6690” and “8,84”. The front face of the frame is marked “6690 / l”. The sideplate is marked “90”, found again on the takedown lever, the safety, the bolt stop, the trigger, the sear, the toggle pin and the inside of each grip panel. The top of the extractor, left of the breech-block, top-rear of the front toggle, back of the rear toggle, and left of the firing pin are each marked “25”. 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 and the top-left of the barrel toward the rear. The floorplate of one magazine is marked “6690 / l”, the other magazine is not matching. The left of the matching 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. The toggle-train is not original to the pistol.
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 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is some finish wear on raised surfaces, most notable on the sideplate and the left of the barrel at the muzzle. There are some scattered minor nicks and tiny scratches. There are a few nicks and tiny spots of erosion under the finish. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine 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, magazine load-assist tool and a total of two 8-round magazines. The holster is a 1934 dated Auwaerter & Bubeck, showing scattered wear and some areas worn through the black, but retaining intact stitching. Also included is a war trophy certificate for a Sgt. Paul Dumelle from the 334th Field Artillery Battalion (87th Infantry Division). The certificate lists a sabre, German Luger and German bayonet, but does not list a serial number.
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 condition as refinished, retaining about 95% of its new metal finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. The serialized parts of the pistol are mostly matching, the toggle-train parts match each other, but not the frame. It is possible this is the result of a “camp-fire swap”, they do appear to have been together for some time. The pistol also comes with a war trophy certificate and the consignor is from the family of the Sergeant who brought home a sabre, a Luger and a bayonet.
Sgt. Dumelle served with the 334th Field Artillery Battalion of the 87th Infantry Division. This division saw a number of transfers during its active service but spent most of its time in Third Army, Twelfth Army Group and participated in the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns. 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
