DWM/Mauser P.08 P08 P-08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol & Holster C&R
SOLD FOR: $1255
LSB#: 211017DR07
Make: DWM or Mauser (without a matching barrel assembly, we’re unsure of which company would have manufactured the frame)
Model: Luger Model P.08
Serial Number: 1987b
Year of Manufacture: 1913-1942 (again, without a matching barrel assembly, we cannot be sure what year the frame was made)
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel extension is marked “1914” on the chamber ring, the left is marked “55”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “55”. The front face of the frame is marked “1987 / b”. The left of the breech-bolt has an Imperial eagle mark. The sear is marked “55”, found again on the top of the extractor, left of the breech-block, top-rear of the front toggle, back of the rear toggle, takedown lever, trigger, sideplate, and safety. The top of the bolt stop is marked “87”. The firing pin and toggle pin are not serial marked. The top of the front toggle is marked “DWM”. 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 black synthetic panels. The grips have light handling wear with a few minor nicks and scuffs. There is a tiny crack at the rear edge of the left panel. The checkering is generally sharp. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, some parts are force-matched and most are not original to the frame.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 50% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is finish wear scattered throughout with some areas showing treatment with cold blue. There is some scattered minor surface erosion under the finish. The left of the barrel extension has a patch of odd marks in front of the sideplate, appearing to be from the removal of its original serial marking. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation and some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. Most markings are clear, some are worn and incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus condition as refinished and assembled.
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 reproduction black leather flap-holster and a single 8-round alloy-floorplate magazine. The holster is marked “PO8”, “cxb / 44” and with an eagle over “WaA270”. The holster has minor wear and intact stitching. The magazine is marked “55” on the floorplate and has a poorly-struck “55” on the spine. The magazine is mostly in the white, it’s not clear if the finish was removed or if it never was finished. The feed lips are intact and the spring is strong.
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. This is a Luger made by DWM or Mauser, but it has been assembled with parts which make it difficult to determine exactly when the frame was made. The pistol has a nice bore and should be a good shooter. It also comes with a reproduction holster which should be nice for display in a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!