Pre-WWII Mauser S/42 S42 P.08 P08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1937 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1591
LSB#: 210929FW10
Make: Mauser
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 3076u
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 “3076”. The extractor is marked “76”, 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, and the sear. The bolt stop and toggle pin are not serial marked. 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 “3076 / u”. 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-rear has an eagle over “63” waffenamt. The bottom of the barrel is marked “3076 / 8,82”. The inside of each grip panel is marked “76”. The alloy magazine floorplate is marked “5378 / t” 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 grips have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with more notable dings on the left panel around the mid-rear and on the right panel toward the bottom-front. The left panel has a small loss on the front edge at the bottom. The checkering is is well defined where not damaged. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, some parts may be force-matched.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore, mostly on the lands and most notable toward the muzzle-end.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The new finish is generally strong throughout with some scattered minor nicks, scratches and infrequent minor surface oxidation. There some areas which show minor discoloration as from cold-blue touch-ups or improper surface-prep when the finish was applied. There is scattered minor erosion, nicks and scratches under the finish with some more notable erosion on the sides of the frame under the grips. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some of the inspection markings are incomplete and shallow. Overall, this pistol is in Very 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 with a single 8-round magazine. The magazine has a blued body and an aluminum baseplate serial-matched to the pistol. The magazine has operational wear and some light surface oxidation with 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. 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 1937, just after Germany would openly begin to break the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, but prior to their violation of the Munich Agreement or invasion of Poland, which would lead to the outbreak of WWII. The pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished, appearing to have seen limited use since the new finish was applied. 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!