Interwar Mauser 42 P.08 P-08 P08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1936 C&R
Sold For: $1450
LSB#: 201029DW07
Make: Mauser
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 9354n
Year of Manufacture: 1936
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel extension is marked “1936” on the chamber ring, the left is marked “9354”. The extractor is marked “54”, found again on the takedown lever, trigger, sideplate, safety, the left of the firing pin, breech-block, top of the front toggle link, toggle pin, rear of the back toggle link and bolt stop. The sear has an obscured marking which appears to have been “07”, “67” or “97”. The top of the front link is also marked “S/42” (Mauser production code). The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The front face of the frame is marked “9354 / n”. The left of the breech-block has an eagle inspection mark. The right of the barrel extension has two eagle over “63” waffenamts and an eagle inspection mark. The right-rear of the barrel has an eagle inspection mark. The bottom of the barrel is marked “9354 / 8,81”. The wood magazine floorplate has an incomplete, non-matching serial marking. The bottom of the barrel is import marked “LUGER P08 9MM GERMANY / C.A.I. ST. ALB VT”.
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 walnut. The grips have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, more notable on the right panel which is lighter colored. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, likely for export. We suspect that some small parts may have been force-matched for export, as well.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. There is scattered minor erosion under the finish. There are a few scattered light scuffs and scratches, most notable in the grip straps. The action has light operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is no 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 black leather flap holster, a takedown tool stored inside the flap, and a total of two 8-round magazines. The holster is marked “1939”, eagle over “WaA8” and “P08” on the back. The holster light wear with intact stitching, in about Very Good-plus condition. One magazine is tin plated with a wood baseplate, showing light wear, discoloration from dried grease, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition. The other magazine is refinished blued steel with a black plastic baseplate, showing minor wear in the finish, scattered minor erosion under the finish, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Fine condition.
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 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 Mauser Luger pistol manufactured in 1936, just after the Nazis began to openly violate the Versailles treaty. The pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished, with about 95% of its new finish remaining. The bore is decent and the mechanics are strong. All of the serialized parts are matching except for the sear, but we suspect some small parts have been force-matched, likely for export to the US. For fans of the Luger or WWII small arms, this Mauser Luger will make a neat addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!