Custom German Mauser Luger P.08 4″ 9mm Military Semi-Automatic Pistol, C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,800.00
LSB#: LSB251207TF032
Make: Mauser frame, DWM toggle train and Barrel Extension
Model: Custom P.08, Luger
Serial Number: 1899c
Year of Manufacture: The frame serial number is in a range used in 1935, 1938, 1940 and 1942. The barrel extension and toggle train were made in 1918.
Caliber: 9mm Luger (9x19mm)
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Short Recoil, Toggle-Locked, Fed by Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade dovetailed to a base integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notch integral to the rear toggle.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black synthetic with custom inlays. The interior of each panel has a threaded hole for the grip screw. The grips have some scattered nicks and scuffs. The left panel has more notable wear around the inlay. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition as customized.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Refinished. The toggle train and barrel extension match themselves, marked 3551 or 52 including firing pin. The frame assembly and sideplate match themselves. The barrel has no legible serial marking, but appears to have an eagle/135 waffenamt.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7+/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. There is some scattered minor scuffing and swirling. There is minor oxidation in the backstrap. There is a little flaking in the stock-lug. There is flaking on interior bearing surfaces, not visible while assembled. There are a few light scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished and not parts-original.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel assembly has barely perceptible play to the frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A total of two magazines are included, one fxo and eagle/37 marked with unnumbered alloy floorplate and one Haenel with non-matching alloy floorplate. Also included is a New Jersey voluntary registration form which was filled out but not submitted and an AG USFET Form No. 33 listing the pistol by the barrel extension serial for Captain John H. Carliss dated October 1, 1945 signed by Colonel William H. Jaynes, Ordnance Officer of US Forces Austria (USFA). The form uses an Italic serif typeface, possibly idiosyncratic to a USFA typewriter, but uncommon on USFET 33 forms.
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 example has some interesting history. It has a Mauser frame produced between 1935 and 1942 mated to a DWM upper assembly from 1918. The waffenamt on the installed barrel indicates that it was made either shortly before or during WWII, but it does not have a serial marking. Its grips are in the “black widow” style, black polymer with interior threads to hold the screws when the grips are removed and they have been customized with inlays. The whole look is completed with a new nickel finish that gives the pistol a distinctive appearance. It came from the collection of a Captain John H. Carliss and includes a USFET Form 33 attributing the pistol to him while he was in Austria in 1945. This would make an eye-catching display in a collection and also has a good bore and strong mechanics, so it may prove to be a fun shooter as well. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud