WWI German Erfurt P.08 P08 P-08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1850
LSB#: 211002NI16
Make: Erfurt Imperial Arsenal
Model: P08 Luger
Serial Number: 5766n
Year of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Action Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine Fed
Markings: The left side of the breech-bolt, sideplate, sear bar, sear bar safety, and takedown lever, the extractor, the bolt-stop, the striker, the trigger, the back of the rear toggle link and the top of the front toggle link are marked “66”. The left side of the frame behind the trigger is marked “8″. The rear toggle is marked with a crown over “ERFURT”. The front of the frame under the barrel is marked “5766 / n” and the underside of the barrel is marked “5766”, the bottom of the barrel is also marked “8,82”, the top-right with an Imperial German eagle. The top of the barrel extension at the chamber is marked “1918”, the left side is marked “5766”. The right side of the barrel extension is marked with three crowned scripted characters and an Imperial German eagle. The left side of the breechblock is marked with an Eagle. The left side of the frame in front of the safety is marked “GESICHERT”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. Most components bear a crowned script character inspection mark and many also have a crowned “RC” Revisions-Commission inspection mark (indicates serviceable pistol which failed inspection due to non-critical tolerances or external flaws). The inside of each grip panel is stamped with a crowned script letter and “66”.
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. Each panel has fairly evenly distributed light handling wear, though there is a little more wear on the right panel than the left. There are a few light nicks and scuffs. The checkering is generally well defined, but some points are blunted. The right panel has some rotational play. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts Strawed
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation and infrequent minor erosion, most notable at the muzzle on the right. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The frontstrap has a spot of scraping and the stock lug has been ground down to make it so that a stock cannot be installed. The action shows light operational wear. The strawed parts have light wear, mostly on the controls where they would be handled during normal operation. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel extension is tight to the 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 with wood floorplate, marked “5766 / n” and with a crowned script letter. The magazine shows light wear, verdigris and discoloration 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 Maxim shot its way to bloody fame in World War One, which also became the combat proving ground for the Luger Pistol. The Luger was so well liked and reliable that it was still being made and issued to German troops well after the P38 was adopted by the army. This Erfurt Arsenal made Luger was made in 1918 and all of the serial numbers on the pistol, grips and magazine are matching. The proof and inspection marks are correct for a 1918 Erfurt military issue pistol, specifically one which was approved by the Revisions-Commission. As 1918 wore on, hope was lost for the Imperial German Army and certain standards were loosened to increase production and get more arms to soldiers in the field. Finish was rougher, cosmetic or non-essential tolerance flaws were overlooked, and the Revisions-Commission would approve some pistols which had previously been turned down by inspectors. This pistol is in about Very Good condition with about 90% of its original finish remaining. The bore is still pretty good, the barrel extension is tight to the frame and the pistol is in good mechanical condition for being over 100 years old, though the stock lug on the back of the grip frame has been ground down. This is a nice find for Luger collectors and those with an interest in German military arms as used in WWI and WWII. Please see our photos and good luck!’