WWII German Mauser byf 41 P.08 Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,259
LSB#: 231108DM071
Make: Mauser
Model: Luger Model P.08 byf Code
Serial Number: 1331w
Year of Manufacture: 1941
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
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 black plastic panels. The interior of each panel has a threaded hole to secure the screws when removed. The grips have minor handling wear with some light nicks and scuffs, mostly in the smooth borders. There are a few more notable marks around the edges. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished. The serial-marked parts are matching, but some parts are force-matched.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is finish wear at most leading edges. There is some minor handling wear in the grip areas. There is some very minor surface oxidation, mostly in the grip areas. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. Most markings are clear, some are worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished.
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 total of two magazines with black plastic floorplates, a Luger tool and a black leather flap-holster.
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. The byf marked Lugers were the last made by Mauser before they were forced to abandon the Luger in favor of the P38.
This is a Mauser Model P.08 byf-code Luger pistol manufactured in 1941. The pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished, with about 90% of its current finish remaining. The bore and the mechanics are strong. This pistol will be great for those wanting a piece of German history and for those collectors with an interest in German weaponry. The byf Lugers represent the last of the WWII Mauser-made Lugers and are a must-have for any Luger collector. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
