German Pre-WWII “G” Code “S/42” Mauser P.08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol 1935
SOLD FOR: $1,075.00
WOA#: WY240316RG003
Make: Mauser
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 162 v
Year of Manufacture: The “G” code and barrel extension marks are consistent with a pistol made in 1935. Several parts have been force-matched and it isn’t clear exactly when the frame was produced.
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine (no magazine included)
Markings: The front face of the frame is marked “162” over “v”. The left frame-flat is marked “P.08” and the safety recess is marked “GESICHERT”, visible when the safety is engaged. The top of the chamber ring is marked “G”, the left of the barrel extension has “8062” struck out, the right has been marked “162” next to an eagle/63 waffenamt. The bottom of the barrel is marked “8062 / 8,81”. The takedown lever, trigger, safety bar, bolt stop, sear bar, sideplate, extractor, bolt, firing pin, front and rear toggle links are each marked “62”. The toggle pin is marked “41”. The front toggle link is marked “S/42”.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated 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. The grips have fairly even handling wear. The right panel has a circular recess where it looks like a medallion was previously installed. There is a small chip-loss at the top-rear of the left panel by the safety lever and some loss in the small flange on the top edge that fits into the frame. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, some parts are Force-Matched.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is light erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 or 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 65% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas, wear along the right frame-rail, wear on the left frame flat, and wear on the sideplate. There is some other scattered more minor wear. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. There is infrequent minor surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition as refinished and not parts-original. C&R eligible.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is minor 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: None. Please note, no magazine is included.
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 pistol’s markings indicate it is a Mauser Luger pistol manufactured in 1935, just before the Germans began to openly violate the Treaty of Versailles. Before this brazen act, the Germans rearmed secretly, in violation of the treaty. Codes were used for both the manufacturers and the years of production, with the “S/42” (for Mauser) and “G” (for 1935) markings on this pistol intended to obscure who made it and when. This example has been refinished with some parts force-matched, and retains about 65% of its new metal finish. This pistol is connected to a pivotal moment in history. For fans of the Luger or WWII small arms, this G-code Mauser Luger will make a neat addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!