WWII Nazi German Mauser 42 P.08 P08 9mm Luger Semi-Auto Pistol, 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2210
LSB#: 210616KB03
Make: Mauser
Model: Luger Model P.08
Serial Number: 8762m
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 “8762”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “8762” and “8,82”. The front face of the frame is marked “8762 / m”. The sideplate is marked “62”, found again on the takedown lever, the top of the extractor, left of the breech-block, top-rear of the front toggle, back of the rear toggle, the safety, the bolt stop, the trigger, the sear and left of the firing pin. The toggle pin is marked “19”. 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. The floorplate of the magazine is marked “604 / n / +” and eagle over “63”.
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 light handling wear with some areas of thinning finish. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. The left panel has a tiny loss at the top-rear corner by the safety. The checkering is well defined but most checker points are blunted. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is finish wear on raised areas such as the band at the muzzle, the front of the frame rails and the raised area on the sideplate. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The grip areas show light handling wear and some minor oxidation. The controls have light handling wear. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
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, takedown tool stored in a pocket on the inside of the flap and a single 8-round magazine. The magazine has light-moderate operational wear, some minor surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition. The holster is marked “GENSCHOW & CO A.G. / BERLIN” and “1939” on the back. The original belt loop is missing with a new belt hook installed with rivets. The holster shows scattered wear and the stitching is intact except where the original belt loop was installed. Overall, the holster is in Good-plus condition.
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 Very Good condition, retaining about 85% of its metal finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. The serialized parts are mostly matching, with the toggle pin and magazine being replacements. 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!