Pre-WWII Mauser S/42 S42 P.08 P08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1938 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1425
LSB#: 210503SL11
Make: Mauser
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 7234i
Year of Manufacture: 1938
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel extension is marked “1938” on the chamber ring, the left is marked “7234”. The extractor is marked “34”, 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, the sear, and the bolt stop. The top of the front link is also marked “S/42” (Mauser production code). The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The front face of the frame is marked “7234 / i”. 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 left-rear of the barrel has an eagle over “63” waffenamt. The bottom of the barrel is marked “7234 / 8,81”. The alloy magazine floorplate is marked “9834 / v / +” and with an eagle over “63” waffenamt.
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 left panel has a small chip loss at the top-rear by the safety. The grips show light-moderate handling wear with some discoloration from age and oil. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is generally well defined. There is scattered light-moderate erosion in the bore, heaviest in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There is infrequent scattered minor erosion under the finish with some more notable erosion under the finish in the grip frame, under the grip panels. The barrel extension and toggle train have a plum hue. There are a few other scattered light marks and the action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Good-plus condition as refinished (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The trigger does not always reset properly, needing to be pushed forward manually to reset. Otherwise, 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 single 8-round magazine. The magazine has a blued body and an aluminum baseplate. The magazine has operational wear, some minor surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
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 S/42 example was made in 1938, prior to Germany’s violation of the Munich Agreement or invasion of Poland, leading to the outbreak of WWII. The pistol is in about Good-plus condition, retaining about 87% of its new blue finish, showing wear consistent with holster use, all-matching serialized parts with the exception of the magazine, and a decent bore. The trigger reset will need a little work before the pistol if functioning properly, but once that has been addressed, this pistol will be great for those wanting a piece of German history and for those collectors with an interest in German weaponry and 20th Century small arms. Please see our photos and good luck!