WWI German Erfurt P.08 P08 P-08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1200
LSB#: 211214AL01
Make: Erfurt Imperial Arsenal
Model: P08 Luger
Serial Number: 4019n
Year of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Action Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine Fed
Markings: The left side of the breech-bolt, 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 “19”. The left side of the frame behind the trigger is marked “12″. The rear toggle is marked with a crown over “ERFURT”. The front of the frame under the barrel is marked “4019 / n” and the underside of the barrel is marked “4019”, the bottom of the barrel is also marked “8,82”, the top-right with an Imperial German eagle. The top of the barrel extension at the chamber has had its year of manufacture crudely removed, the left side is marked “4019”. 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”. Most components bear a crowned script character inspection mark and many also have a crowned “RC” Revisions-Commission inspection mark (indicates serviceable pistol which failed inspection due to non-critical tolerances or external flaws). The inside of each grip panel is stamped with a crowned script letter and “19”.
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 wood. Each panel has fairly evenly distributed light handling wear, though there is a little more wear on the left panel than the right. There are a few light nicks and scuffs. The checkering is generally well defined, but some points are blunted and the left panel has some areas almost worn smooth. Each panel has light play to the frame. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts Strawed
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is well defined, generally sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is some scattered light erosion and infrequent light pitting in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 30% of its metal finish. Most remaining finish is in the barrel extension, toggle train and protected areas of the frame. Other surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina, showing scattered oxidation, surface erosion and some light pitting. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a line of more notable tool marks on the right of the frame above the trigger guard. The strawed parts have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The takedown lever’s detent spring is missing. The bolt stop does not properly lock the bolt to the rear when the toggles are pulled back. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The barrel extension is tight 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 wood floorplate. The spine is marked “5554” toward the bottom. The body shows moderate wear and surface erosion. The feed lips are intact and the spring is strong, though the interior could use a good cleaning.
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 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 1918, based on the Revisions-Commission markings and the flat at the front of the chamber ring. All of the serial numbers on the pistol are matching, though the striker doesn’t have a serial marking and the magazine has been replaced. The proof and inspection marks are correct for a 1918 Erfurt military issue pistol, specifically one which was approved by the Revisions-Commission. As 1918 wore on, hope was lost for the Imperial German Army and certain standards were loosened to increase production and get more arms to soldiers in the field. Finish was rougher, cosmetic or non-essential tolerance flaws were overlooked, and the Revisions-Commission would approve some pistols which had previously been turned down by inspectors. An interesting feature of this pistol is the crudely removed date marking on the chamber ring. While some were removed to mark with the “1920” Reichswehr property marking and others were removed to disguise when the gun was made, this example’s removal wasn’t going to fool any inspectors and the pistol doesn’t have a 1920 marking. The reason for removal may remain a mystery, but it could also make for a fun research project for the lucky winner. This pistol is in about Good condition, appearing as though it may have seen service use before the war came to an end. Of course, it could also have seen use in the tumultuous years of German history which would follow. This is an interesting find for Luger collectors and those with an interest in German military arms as used in WWI and WWII. Please see our photos and good luck!