Custom Luger P.08 Carbine 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, Stock & Display Case
SOLD FOR: $5858
LSB#: 220110JR008
Make: The frame was originally made by DWM or Erfurt Imperial Arsenal, the receiver extension and some other parts were made by Erfurt, we do not know who customized this pistol.
Model: Custom P08 Luger Pistol/Carbine
Serial Number: 4605V
Year of Manufacture: It is not clear exactly what year the frame was made, the barrel extension was made in 1918. Due to modification from its original configuration, this pistol/carbine is considered Modern and must be transferred through a Dealer FFL.
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Action Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine Fed
Markings: The frame’s serial number is marked above the takedown lever, “4605V”, with the “0” double-stamped, one rotated 90 degress to the other. The left of the barrel extension is marked “5422”, the chamber ring is marked “1918”, the right has Imperial inspection/acceptance marks. The top of the front toggle is marked with a crown over “ERFURT”. The takedown lever, safety, and bolt stop are each marked “05”. The trigger is marked “35”. The bolt, each toggle link and the inside of each grip panel are marked “22”. There are no serial markings on the sideplate or toggle pin. The sear’s serial marking is obscured by erosion. The rear sight arm and notch are each marked “32”. Some small parts have crowned “RC” reform commission markings.
Barrel Length: 16 1/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped base fixed to the barrel near the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V”-notch “fine-tune” sight on an arm with a slider. The rear sight arm is missing the hinge-pin which sercures it to the base, it is held in place by the slider. The arm is graduated from 1-8 in hundreds of meters and the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation using a spanner tool.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. A tang has been welded to the front of the frame for the wedge-secured checkered walnut forend which has a schnabel tip. There is an included checkered walnut buttstock with serrated black hard rubber buttplate which can be mounted to the frame’s stock lug (we have not tested the fit as it is not legal to install the stock in California). The grips show handling wear with some smoothed checkering at the bottom and rear edges. There are some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The forend and buttstock have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition, the forend and buttstock are in Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts Strawed
Finish Originality: Refinished, likely original to customization.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. The balance is mostly in light operational wear and some scattered minor oxidation, primarily in the grip areas. There is some scattered minor erosion under the finish. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches, mostly under the finish. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible with the serial marking on the sear obscured by erosion. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition as customized (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: Something about the fit of the sideplate, trigger and sear does not allow the sear to drop the striker when the trigger is pressed. As noted above, the rear sight arm is missing its hinge pin, secured to the base only by the slider. 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 hard-sided luggage case with locking brass latch, red fabric-lined English-fit interior with compartments for the pistol, stock assembly, the included three magazines (2x Mec-Gar, 1x unbranded), a cleaning rod, magazine load assist/screwdriver tool, key for the latch, and additional compartments. The case has scattered light storage wear on the exterior, the interior has minor wear from the contents.
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 example has been beautifully customized as a Luger carbine, with beautiful checkered walnut forend and stock assembly and a 16 1/4″ barrel installed. Some of the parts were produced by Erfurt Arsenal including the toggle which was made in 1918, however we do not know when the pistol was customized, nor who did the work. The pistol’s trigger mechanism needs some work, but with the included luggage case, this is a very handsome set which will display well. Once, the mechanism has been fixed, it should also make for a fun shooter. The bore is outstanding and, where it is legal to do so, installing the stock should make for a very comfortable carbine. This is a nice find for Luger collectors and those with an interest in pistol/carbines. Please see our photos and good luck!