Nazi WWII Mauser 42 P.08 P08 P-08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1939 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2255
LSB#: 210913BM24
Make: Mauser
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 1851s
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel extension is marked “1939” on the chamber ring, the left is marked “1851”. The extractor is marked “51”, found again on the trigger, safety, takedown lever, sideplate, bolt stop, the left of the firing pin, breech-block, top of the front toggle link, toggle pin, rear of the back toggle link, and the sear. The top of the front link is also marked “42” (Mauser production code). The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The front face of the frame is marked “1851 / s”. 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 of the barrel has an eagle inspection mark, the left has eagle over “63”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “1851 / 8,81”.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade dovetailed to a serrated 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 some scattered light nicks and scuffs with a few patches of compressed checkers. There is some discoloration from age and oil. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Some finish appears Original, there are areas which show treatment with cold blue, most notable on the barrel and sideplate.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and some minor pitting scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The barrel has wear in the middle of an area which shows treatment with cold blue. The sideplate shows treatment with cold blue and has scattered finish wear. There are tool marks around the end of the takedown lever on the right of the frame. There is infrequent surface erosion, mostly under the grip panels. There is surface erosion and some minor pitting on the firing pin. There is some minor surface oxidation, mostly in the grip areas. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
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 brown leather flap-holster, a takedown tool and a total of two magazines. One magazine’s alloy floorplate is marked “1851 / s” and eagle over “63”, showing light-moderate operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring. The other magazine’s alloy floorplate is marked “3667 / n” and eagle over “63”, showing similar wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring. The holster is marked on the back with “CARL ACKVA / BAD KREUZNACH / 1939” and eagle over “WaA “. The holster has scattered wear and discoloration, there are holes as from stitched pieces that have been removed on the flap, but otherwise the stitching is intact.
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. During the war, the Germans used codes to disguise the manufacturer of their weapons, and the toggle links changed from DWM to S/42, 42 and finally byf. This 42 example was made in mid-late 1939, right around the outbreak of WWII. The pistol is in Very Good condition, showing wear consistent with its age and use. The serialized parts are matching, though there are no serial markings in the grips, the mechanics are strong and the bore is decent. The pistol has areas treated with cold blue, but some of the remaining finish is original. This pistol will be nice for those wanting a piece of German history and for those collectors with an interest in German weaponry and 20th Century small arms. Please see our photos and good luck!