WWII Russian Capture German Mauser Luger P.08 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,201.00
LSB#: LSB250723CA128
Make: Mauser, imported by CAI.
Model: Luger Model P.08
Serial Number: 9844t
Year of Manufacture: The frame was made ca. 1937-1942.
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
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. The right panel has a little more notable wear and discoloration than the left with a small loss at the rear edge. There are some scattered nicks and scuffs. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, some parts have been force-matched and others have had serial markings struck-out.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is pitting scattered throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 3/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its current metal finish. The new finish is generally strong throughout with bright spots where some serial markings were struck-out. The finish is thinning at some edges and the action shows light operational wear. There are some scattered nicks, tool marks and surface erosion under the finish. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are generally clear, some of the inspection marks are worn or have been punched-out. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus 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 Mec-Gar magazine.
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 Model P.08 Luger that has a mixture of parts. The barrel extension and frame are Mauser, identified by the “S/42” marking and Mauser “hump”, respectively. Some parts have been force-matched and others have had their serial markings struck-out. A new blue finish has been applied with a prominent “X” marked on the barrel extension in front of the sideplate. All of this is consistent with a pistol captured by the Russians during the war and likely issued to the East German Volkspolizei (VoPo) after the war. The pistol is in Good-plus condition as refinished, with much of its current finish remaining. The pistol has strong mechanics, though the bore is pretty rough. This pistol will be great for those wanting a piece of German and post-war history. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
