Su38 DWM P.08 .30 Luger 7.65mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1928-1929 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,125.00
WOA#: WY240524SF001
Make: Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken (DWM)
Model: Luger P.08 (Parabellum-Pistole)
Serial#: 7303s
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1928-1929
Caliber: 7.65mm Parabellum
Action Type: Toggle-Action Semi-Automatic Striker-Fired Pistol fed by a Detachable Magazine
Markings: The bottom of the barrel is marked with a crowned “N”, the serial number “7303” and “s”. The left of the barrel extension is marked with a crowned “N” proof, the right is marked “Su / 38”. The left side of the breechblock is marked with a crowned “N”. The top of the front toggle link is marked with the “DWM” logo. The rear end of the back toggle link is marked “03”. The sideplate is marked “03” at the bottom. The left side of the trigger is marked “03”, visible when the sideplate is removed. The front of the frame is marked with the serial number “7303” above “s”. The firing pin, toggle pin, bolt stop and takedown lever have non-matching numbers. The magazine floorplate is marked “S/42” and with eagle/63 waffenamt. The left of the frame has a lightly struck eagle clutching globe.
Barrel Length: 3 3/4”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is serrated blade dovetailed to a banded base fixed to the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the rear toggle link.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have light handling wear with some nicks and scuffs. The left panel has some compressed checkers. The checkering is otherwise well defined. The right panel has minor play to the frame. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Straw
Finish Originality: Some parts may have been refurbished (common during this period), but finish appears to be Original to the factory. Not all parts are serial-matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly-bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn copper fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is handling wear in the grip areas and wear on the frame-rails. The worn areas have some minor surface erosion. There is some other scattered minor surface oxidation. The strawed controls have areas of muting and discoloration. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the NSDAP eagle on the frame is lightly struck. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition as not parts-original.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is barely 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 requirements.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: The pistol comes with a single 8-round magazine. The magazine has scattered surface erosion in the body and it appears a marking was removed from the floorplate.
Our Assessment: The Parabellum-Pistole 1908, commonly referred to as the Luger, was designed by Georg Johann Luger. Luger was an unlikely gun designer. Born in 1849 he was the son of a surgeon, Bartholomaeus von Luger, and while attending university he served as a One-Year Volunteer with the 78th Infantry Regiment of the Austro-Hungarian Army. While in the military Luger proved himself a skilled marksman and he began to develop an interest in the small arms technology. Following four years of service, in the 1870s Luger met Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher who recruited him as a sales representative for Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik AG (DWM). One of the company’s weapons that Luger marketed was the Borchardt C93 (named after its designer Hugo Borchardt) which was criticized for being too heavy and poorly balanced. Luger decided to rework the design and eventually secured a contract for his new pistol with the Swiss Army which dubbed it the model 1900 which was chambered for 7.65mm Parabellum cartridges. After some minor reworking Luger introduced the Pistole 1904, chambered for 9mm cartridges, which was adopted by the Imperial German Navy, the pistol was henceforth referred to as the Luger. A slightly altered version of the pistol with a smaller barrel was adopted for service by the Prussian Army in 1908, hence the designation P.08. The P.08 would become one of the most iconic weapons of the 20th century. His pistol would continue to serve the German military during WWII (although the P38 was the Wehrmacht’s standard issue sidearm) and saw service in a number military and police forces after the war.
This particular Luger is an interesting one for the dedicated Luger collector. Its serial number indicates it was produced late in the the “commercial alphabet” series, ca. 1928-1929. There is some disagreement on the significance of the “Su / 38” marking on the barrel extension, but it is becoming more and more the consensus that this is a depot marking from Zeugamt Spandau, indicating a retrofit. Many of these Su38 pistols were converted to 9mm at the depot, while this one remains chambered for the original .30 Luger cartridge. Some were also fitted with police sear-safeties, but the one is in its original configuration. There is also the NSDAP eagle on the left of the frame, which may indicate purchase for one of the various paramilitary wings of the part. In any case, this is a fascinating old handgun that will add nicely to a Luger collection missing an Su38 marked pistol. Good luck on your bid!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
