WWII German Mauser byf-42 P.08 Luger 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol 1942 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2730
LSB#: 230617WL003
Make: Mauser
Model: Luger Model P.08 byf Code
Serial Number: 2027k
Year of Manufacture: 1942
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 inside of each panel has a threaded hole for retaining the screws when the grips are removed. The grips have minor handling wear with some light marks scattered around the smooth borders and a few more notable marks. 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
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The new finish is generally strong throughout. The finish is thinning at some edges and the action shows light operational wear. There are a few tiny marks under the finish and infrequent very minor surface oxidation. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear, some of the inspection marks are worn or poorly struck. Overall, this pistol is in 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 single 8-round magazine with black plastic floorplate, marked “fxo”, eagle over “37” and “P.08” on its left side toward the bottom with an additional eagle over “37” on the left near the top.
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 1942. The pistol is in Fine condition as refinished, with about 96% of its current finish remaining. The pistol has a nice bore and the mechanics are strong. This pistol has the enigmatic black plastic grip panels and black plastic magazine floorplate which would lead collectors to refer to this variant as the “Black Widow”. 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