WWII Nazi German Mauser byf P.08 P08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2025
LSB#: 210711RW46
Make: Mauser
Model: Luger Model P.08 byf Code
Serial Number: 7268
Year of Manufacture: 1941
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel extension is marked “41” on the chamber ring, the left is marked “7268”, the right has eagle over “655” waffenamts and an eagle clutching swastika mark. The bottom of the barrel is marked “7268 / 8,81”, the right of the barrel has an eagle clutching swastika mark, the left has eagle over “655”. The left of the breech-bolt has an eagle clutching swastika mark. The sear is marked “68”, found again on the toggle pin, the top of the extractor, left of the breech-block, top-rear of the front toggle, back of the rear toggle, left of the firing pin, takedown lever, trigger, sideplate, and safety. The top of the bolt stop is marked “06” or “90”. The left of the frame is marked “P.08”. The top of the front toggle is marked “byf”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The inside of the right grip panel is hand-scribed with “7268”. The top of the breech-bolt, each toggle link, the right of the barrel extension and along the bottom of the barrel there are a series of British proof marks. The rear of the frame has a series of punch marks forming “G.S.”
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 panels. The grips have light-moderate handling wear. There is a small chip-loss at the top-rear of the left panel behind the safety lever and another at the bottom-front of the left panel. The wood has darkened with age and handling. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no cracks. The wood is alternately proud and shy to the frame, and the interior have “S/42” markings, indicating earlier production. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 60% of its current metal finish. There is light finish wear scattered throughout with most edges worn to white. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and a few light scratches. The grip areas show handling wear. The action shows operational wear. There are infrequent spots of light erosion. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. Most markings are clear, some of the inspection marks are shallow and worn. Overall, this pistol is in Good-Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is minor 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:
-Black Leather Flap Holster. The holster does not appear appropriate for the pistol, the spare magazine pouch is not the correct shape or length for a Luger magazine.
-One tin-plated, wood floorplate 8-round magazine
-One blued, black synthetic floorplate 8-round “fxo” 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 Mauser Model P.08 byf-code Luger pistol manufactured in 1941. The pistol is in Good-Very Good condition as refinished, with about 60% of its current finish remaining. The bore is great and the mechanics are strong. Interestingly, the pistol has British proof marks, so it may well have been taken home by a British soldier after the war. This pistol will be great for those wanting a piece of German history and for those collectors with an interest in German weaponry. The byf Lugers represent the last of the WWII Mauser-made Lugers and are a must-have for any Luger collector. Please see our photos and good luck!