WWII Nazi German Mauser byf P.08 P08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1942 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2025
LSB#: 211027RY01
Make: Mauser
Model: Luger Model P.08 byf Code
Serial Number: 1569g
Year of Manufacture: 1942
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel extension is marked “42” on the chamber ring, the left is marked “1569”, the right has eagle over “135” waffenamts and an eagle clutching swastika mark. The bottom of the barrel is marked “1569”, the right of the barrel has an eagle clutching swastika mark, the left has eagle over “135”. The front face of the frame is marked “1569 / g”, the left of the frame is marked “P.08” on the flat in front of the safety lever. The left of the breech-bolt has an eagle clutching swastika mark. The sear is marked “69”, 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, top of the bolt stop and safety. The top of the front toggle is marked “byf”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The left of the frame is marked “GESICHERT” at the safety.
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 with scattered compressed checkers, some minor nicks and scuffs, and more notable nicks at the bottom of the right panel. The checkering ranges from smoothed to well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, some parts are likely force-matched.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered light-moderate erosion and some minor pitting in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is some light finish wear on the right of the barrel extension, the right frame rail, each side of the barrel at the muzzle, the left of the barrel and on the raised portion of the sideplate. There is some light surface oxidation, mostly in the grip areas but also on the right frame rail. There is light wear on the stock lug. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The action shows minor operational wear. There are a few spots of minor erosion under the finish. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with a strong slot. Most markings are clear, some are worn, but legible. 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 alloy-floorplate magazine, marked “fxo”, eagle over “37” and “P.08” on its left side toward the bottom. The magazine has light operational wear, infrequent minor surface oxidation, 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. 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 1942. The pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished, with about 90% of its current finish remaining. The pistol has a decent bore and the mechanics are strong. 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!