Heckler & Koch HK P7M8 BWB Marked 9mm 4″ Squeeze-Cock Semi-Automatic Pistol
SOLD FOR: $4,125
LSB#: 240403CH004
Make: Heckler & Koch
Model: P7M8
Serial Number: 107487
Year of Manufacture: 1993 (Slide Date Code)
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Grip-Cocked, Gas Delayed Blowback, Semi-Automatic, Removable Magazine Fed Pistol
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “HECKLER & KOCH GMBH / OBERNDORF/N MADE IN GERMANY” and “9mmx19”, the right is marked “WARNING REFER TO OWNER’S MANUAL / HK Inc., Sterling, VA”, “16-107487 M8”, “09/93” and with a boxed marking “BWB / 318” under a stylized eagle. There was another marking on the right of the slide between the serial number and date code which has since been milled off (likely a police marking). The right of the frame above the trigger guard is marked “107487 M8” as well with the same “BWB / 318” under a stylized eagle marking on the slide. The bottom of the left grip panel is marked “HK P7 M8”.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a white dot in the rear face and is dovetailed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch with two flanking white dots and is dovetailed to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece textured black polymer panels. The backstrap and the front of the grip safety also have texturing to improve the grip. The panels show some faint marks along the borders. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Likely original to arsenal refurbish when sold out of service.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the polygonal rifling is sharp. There is no erosion but there is some faint discoloration near the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some faint marks visible throughout the slide. The slide has a very faint plum hue and the mill-mark where a marking was removed on the right slide flat appears just slightly more plum than the flat around it. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine-Plus condition as refurbished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol features a gas-delayed delayed blowback system. The pistol’s action is cocked by squeezing the fore strap of the grip frame, delivering a smooth, short trigger pull. The pistol has an ambidextrous magazine release located on the trigger guard. The slide to frame fit is tight. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a black plastic Heckler and Koch box with the serial number molded into the front face of the lid, gas-cylinder scraping tool, gas-cylinder brush, and a total of two 8-round magazines.
Our Assessment: The decision to equip West German police with an advanced 9mm service pistol and replace existing 7.65mm Browning-caliber weapons was prompted after the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre. The new firearm was to meet the following requirements: chamber the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge, weigh no more than 1,000 g (35 oz), the pistol’s dimensions would not exceed 180 × 130 × 34 mm, it should have a muzzle energy of no less than 500 J and a service life of at least 10,000-rounds. The pistol was also to be fully ambidextrous, safe to carry with a loaded chamber and able to be quickly drawn and ready to fire instantly. As a result of a competitive bid the German police forces selected three different pistols into service: the Swiss SIG Sauer P225 (designated the P6) and two German designs—the P7 (officially designated the PSP) and the Walther P5. Series production of the P7 started in 1979. Shortly after, the pistol was adopted by the German Federal Police’s counter-terrorism unit (GSG 9) and the German Army’s special forces formations. The P7 was produced primarily by H&K but also under license by the Greek defense firm Hellenic Arms Industry as well as in Mexico by the Departamento de Industria Militar (DIM), as a sidearm for general officers and staff. The pistol was also exported to several countries. This pistol was made in 1993. The polygonal rifling is sharp with no erosion and the pistol has a superb trigger pull that is initiated by squeezing the fore grip of the grip frame. While the typical German police issue P7 has a heel-magazine release, this P7M8 has an “American-style” magazine release at the trigger guard, though it appears that this pistol was a German law enforcement gun. It comes with its original box with two magazines and cleaning accessories. For the HK collector, this would make a great addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Greenfield
