Interwar Mauser 42 P.08 P-08 P08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1937 C&R
Sold For: $1,501
LSB#: 200909DW03
Make: Mauser
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 1370s
Year of Manufacture: 1937
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel extension is marked “1937” on the chamber ring, the left is marked “1370”. The sear is marked “70”, found again on the takedown lever, trigger, sideplate, safety, the left of the firing pin, breech-block, top of the front toggle link, toggle pin, rear of the back toggle link and bolt stop. The rear toggle and breech-bolt’s “70” markings appear to have the “0” stamped over a “9”. The top of the front link is also marked “42” (Mauser production code). The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The front face of the frame is marked “1370 / s”. The left of the breech-block has an eagle inspection mark. The right of the barrel extension has two eagle over “63” waffenamts and an eagle inspection mark. The right-rear of the barrel has an eagle inspection mark. The bottom of the barrel is marked “1370 / 8,82”. The magazine floorplate is marked “1370” and “1” (force-matched). The bottom of the barrel is import marked “GERMANY 9mm P’08 / INTERARMS ALEX. VA.”.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated 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 no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally sharp. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued, small parts Strawed
Finish Originality: Refinished, likely for export. It is likely that the force-matched parts were also marked for export purposes.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 93% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, some through and a few under the finish. The strawed parts have some handling wear. The serial marking on the extractor has been removed and the area left in the white. The markings are generally clear, some of the inspection marks are shallow. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is no 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 holster is marked “bml/41”, eagle clutching swastika over “WaA788” and “p.08” on the back. The holster moderate wear with a few broken stitches, in about Good condition. The magazine has an alloy baseplate which has had its original serial marking filed off and then force-matched to the pistol. The magazine has minor operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Fine condition as refinished.
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 Maxim shot its way to bloody fame in World War One, which also became the combat proving ground for the Luger Pistol. 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. This is a Mauser Luger pistol manufactured in 1937, just after the Nazis began to openly violate the Versailles treaty. The pistol is in about Very Good-plus condition as refinished, with about 93% of its new finish remaining. The bore is decent and the mechanics are strong. All of the serialized parts are matching, but some have been force-matched, likely for export to the US. For fans of the Luger or WWII small arms, this Mauser Luger will make a neat addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R Pistol CAN be sold as a dealer sale in California and CAN be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) as our Simi Valley location. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
