Pre-WWII German Mauser S/42 P.08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1938 C&R

SOLD FOR: $

WOA#: WY240526BJ039

Make: Mauser

Model: Luger Model P.08, Parabellum-Pistole

Serial#: 3101c

Year of Manufacture: 1938

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Action Type: Toggle-Action Semi-Automatic Striker-Fired Pistol fed by a Detachable Magazine

Markings: The bottom of the barrel is marked “3101 / 8,81”. The front face of the frame is marked “3101 / c”. The right side of the barrel is marked with a Weimar eagle (Weimar proof marks were still in use during the early years of the NSDAP-era) which was an army test proof, the top-left has an Eagle over 63 waffenamt. The top of the barrel extension is marked “1938”. The right side of the barrel extension is marked with two Eagle over 63 waffenamts and a plain Weimar style eagle (army test proof). The left of the bolt has a Weimar style eagle. The top of the front toggle link is marked “S/42” which was a Mauser production code. The takedown lever is marked “01”, found again on the trigger, safety bar, sideplate, toggle pin, bolt stop, extractor, bolt, each toggle, firing pin, sear bar, and stamped on the inside of each grip panel. The magazine floorplate is marked “3101 / c / +”.

Barrel Length: 4”

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is serrated blade dovetailed to a base integral to the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the rear toggle link.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two-piece checkered wood. The grips have light-moderate handling wear, darkened with age and oil. There is a loss on the left panel at the safety lever. There are some light nicks and scuffs. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered light finish wear, most notable in the grip areas. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a more notable scrape at the right-rear of the barrel with a corresponding ding on the front of the barrel extension immediately behind. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, the pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: The pistol comes with a single matching 8-round magazine with alloy floorplate.

Our Assessment:  The Parabellum-Pistole 1908, commonly referred to as the Luger, was designed by Georg Johann Luger. Luger was an unlikely gun designer, born in 1849 he was the son of a surgeon and while attending university he served as a One-Year Volunteer with the 78th Infantry Regiment of the Austro-Hungarian Army. While in the military Luger proved himself a skilled marksman and he began to develop an interest in the small arms technology. Following four years of service Luger worked a number of job, in the 1870s Luger met Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher who recruited him as a sales representative for Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik AG (DWM). One of the company’s weapons that Luger marketed was the Borchardt C93 which was criticized for being too heavy and poorly balanced. Luger decided to rework the design and eventually secured a contract for his new pistol with the Swiss Army which dubbed it the model 1900. After some minor reworking, Luger introduced the Pistole 1904, chambered for 9mm cartridges, which was adopted by the Imperial German Navy, the pistol was henceforth referred to as the Luger. A slightly altered version of the pistol with a smaller barrel was adopted for service by the Prussian Army in 1908, hence the designation P08. The P08 would become one of the most iconic weapons of the 20th century. His pistol would continue to serve the German military during WWII (although the P38 was the Wehrmacht’s standard issue sidearm) and saw service in a number military and police forces after the war.

This particular Luger was manufactured in 1938 five years after the NSDAP came to power in Germany. That year, Germany began to flex its military might with a European war nearly erupting over the Sudeten Crisis. Ultimately, France reneged on a treaty obligation to defend Czechoslovakia at Britain’s behest. Neville Chamberlain, the British PM, helped facilitate Germany’s annexation of the Sudetenland (a part of Czechoslovakia which was populated by ethnic Germans). Chamberlain would famously proclaim after the crisis that he had secured “peace for our time” through his diplomacy. Unfortunately, it would prove a premature statement as WWII broke out a year later. The pistol’s Waffenamts are consistent with army issued small arms, matching numbered parts, and even a matching magazine. If you are a fan of German military arms and WWII history then this is the handgun for you. Good luck on your bid!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud