East German VoPo Refurb Mauser P08 P.08 Luger 9mm Parabellum Pistol C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,915.00
LSB#: LSB260403MC023
Make: Mauser (S/42 Code) / East German VoPo Refurb
Model: P.08
Serial Number: 9848r
Year of Manufacture: 1937 / C&R (Refurbed Circa Post 1945 – 1960’s)
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Single Action Toggle Lock Semi-Automatic Pistol fed by Detachable Magazines.
Markings: The front toggle link is marked “48 / S/42 / 48”. The left side of the receiver is marked “9848”. The breech is marked “1937”. The front of the frame is marked “9848 / r”. The safety toggle flag is marked “48”. The firing pin is marked “48”. The trigger is marked “48”. The take down lever is marked “48”. The safety switch is marked “48”. The left side of the frame under the safety toggle switch is marked “GESICHERT”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “9mm Para / 753” and a crown over “N”. The front strap is marked with a sunburst and “S XVII” unit marking from the Soviet zone sector 17 (Lichtenberg).
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notch integral to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered bakelite panels. There is light handling wear. There are scratches on the smooth borders. There are light chips on the bottom of the left grip panel. The right grip panel has a crack on the inside. The checkering is sharp. The frame has a lanyard bar and a lug at the bottom for a stock attachment. The grips rate in about Good – Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is light fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows handling and storage wear. There are scratches and light oxidation. There are spots of faint corrosion pitting on the front strap. There are a few light nicks on the frame. There are a few punch marks covering a marking on the left side of the receiver which is common for East German VoPo lugers. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Good Plus 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 & Accessories: This pistol comes with five 8-round magazines (Two aluminum, two synthetic, and one wooden floorplate). This pistol also comes with a leather holster and one tool.
Our Assessment: The Mauser P.08 Luger is one of the most recognizable military pistols of the 20th century, renowned for its distinctive toggle-lock action and association with Imperial and Angry Germany. This 1937-dated “S/42” coded example was produced by Mauser and later refurbished for use by the East German Volkspolizei during the Cold War period. East German VoPo reworks are identifiable by their refinished surfaces, property markings, and occasional defacement or punch-marking of previous acceptance marks, reflecting postwar Soviet-bloc reissue practices. Chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, the P.08 remains one of the most historically significant military sidearms ever produced.
This example presents in Good Plus overall condition as an arsenal-refurbished VoPo pistol, retaining a high percentage of its refinished blued surface with only light handling wear visible. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and only light fouling present. The bakelite grips show moderate wear with chips and an internal crack, though they remain serviceable. The pistol retains numerous matching serialized small parts, and the East German punch-marking over the receiver marking is consistent with known VoPo refurbishment practices. Included are five magazines of mixed construction along with a holster and loading tool, adding to the package’s collector appeal. Altogether, this VoPo-refurbished P.08 stands as a historically interesting Cold War reissue of a classic German military pistol. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! -N.P