WWII German Mauser 42 Code P.08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1939 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2568
LSB#: 230728JS005
Make: Mauser
Model: P.08 Luger
Serial Number: 7018r
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
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 inside of each panel is marked “18”, the inside of the right “S”, the inside of the right “H” and “B”. The grips have minor handling wear with a few scattered small marks and some discoloration. The left panel has a small patch of compressed checkers toward the top and a tiny loss at the top-rear below the safety. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original. The serial-marked parts are matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear and minor oxidation in the grip areas. There is finish wear at the muzzle on each side, on the left of the barrel, the raised portion of the sideplate, and on the right frame-rail at the front. There are some small nicks and scratches. There are some areas of the finish which show a plum hue, most notable on the ejector. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is barely perceptible 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 single 8-round magazine with non-matching alloy floorplate.
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 was transferred to 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 code example was made in late 1939, just after the outbreak of WWII. The pistol is in Very Good condition, retaining much of its original finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. The pistol itself has serial matching parts, though the magazine is a replacement. This pistol will be great 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
