Pre-WWII Mauser S/42 S42 P.08 P08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1938 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2159
LSB#: 210913BM08
Make: Mauser
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 1146i
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 “1146”. The extractor is marked “46”, found again on the takedown lever, trigger, sideplate, safety, the left of the firing pin, breech-block, top of the front toggle link, rear of the back toggle link, the toggle pin, 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 “1146 / 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 right-rear of the barrel has an eagle inspection mark, the left has an eagle over “63” waffenamt. The bottom of the barrel is marked “1146 / 8,81”. The magazine floorplates are marked with “1146 / i”, eagle over “63” waffenamts and one has “+”. The inside of each grip panel is marked “46” and eagle over “63”, the right panel also has eagle over “135”
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. We suspect that they are not original to the gun, but they may have been refinished and checkering re-cut. The grips have minor handling wear. There is some scattered discoloration. The left panel has some chip losses at the top edge, mostly concealed when assembled. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition as refinished and/or not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Some remaining finish appears original, most surfaces show treatment with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered wear with the worn areas showing treatment with cold blue. There is some scattered minor surface erosion and areas which show aggressive cleaning under the cold blue. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The markings are generally clear, most have been filled with white paint. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition as refinished.
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 in a black leather holster with a takedown tool and a total of two 8-round magazines. The holster is marked “E.G.LEUNER / 1938 / BAUTZEN” and eagle over “WaA159” on the back. The holster shows scattered wear and discoloration with broken stitches on the edge near the bottom of the barrel where it meets the frame. The “+”-marked magazine has scattered wear treated with cold blue, some oxidation and a dent in the front of the magazine which does not interfere with the follower, with intact feed lips and a strong spring. The other magazine shows less wear and minor oxidation, also having intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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. Before and during the war, the Germans used codes to disguise the manufacturer of their weapons as well as the quantity produced, 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 condition as refinished. The pistol shows wear treated with cold blue, but retains serial matching parts, strong mechanics and a decent bore. This pistol will be nice 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!