WWI German Erfurt P.08 P08 P-08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1920/1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1332
LSB#: 210419MB01
Make: Erfurt Imperial Arsenal
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 6899g
Year of Manufacture: 1917
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Action Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine Fed
Markings: The sideplate, sear bar, sear bar safety, and takedown lever, the extractor, the bolt-stop, the trigger, the back of the rear toggle link and the top of the front toggle link are marked “99”. The front toggle is marked with a crown over “ERFURT”, each toggle has a crowned script letter. The crown over “ERFURT” was stamped with a damaged die, missing a line on the top-right, seen on Erfurt production lugers in 1916-1918. The front of the frame under the barrel is marked “6899 / g” and the underside of the barrel is marked “6899”, the bottom of the barrel is also marked “8,82”. The top of the barrel extension at the chamber is marked “1920 / 1917”, the left side is marked “6899”. The right side of the barrel extension is marked with three crowned scripted characters and an Imperial German eagle. The left side of the breechblock is marked with an Eagle. The left side of the frame in front of the safety is marked “GESICHERT”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The inside surface of the each grip is marked “99” . Most components bear a crowned script character inspection mark. The frontstrap has “4./J.R. 7.70.” unit marking. The rear toggle pin is seized in place, we were not able to remove it to inspect for additional markings.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp 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 light-moderate handling wear with a few scattered light nicks and scuffs. The checkering has mostly smoothed points, but is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Chrome
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 93% of its metal finish. There is some discoloration in the finish on the right of the frame below the frame rails, on the top of the links and breech-block and at a few other locations. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, most not through the finish. We were not able to remove the toggle train from the barrel extension as the pin was seized in place. There is light operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in about Good-Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The receiver has light play to the 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 single 8-round magazine with non-serial matching wood floorplate. The magazine has some scattered finish wear, minor surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good 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 Luger was so well liked and reliable that it was still being made and issued to German troops well after the P38 was adopted by the army. This Erfurt Arsenal made Luger was made in 1917 and later accepted into the Versailles Treaty-approved inventory of the Reichswehr, as distinguished by the “1920” marking on the chamber ring. It has since been given a new chrome finish, giving it a very distinctive appearance. This is an interesting find for Luger collectors and those with an interest in German military arms as used in WWI and WWII. It may even still make for a fun shooter or a BBQ gun. Please see our photos and good luck!