WWII Russian Capture German Mauser Luger P.08 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,450.00
WOA#: WY240515CF013
Make: Mauser
Model: Luger Model P.08
Serial Number: 2663b
Year of Manufacture: The frame was made ca. 1935-1942.
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine
Markings: The bottom of the barrel has an E.C.C.S.A. Pennsauken, N.J. import mark. The barrel also has a post-war East German proof mark with “753” date code. The chamber ring is marked “42”. The front toggle has a crowned “ERFURT” marking. The serial number or a portion of the serial number is marked on the frame, bolt-stop, barrel extension, trigger, takedown lever, sideplate, safety bar, sear bar, the rear toggle, and each magazine floorplate. Some of these markings have been force-matched, notably the sear bar and the magazine floorplates. There are non-matching numbers on the bolt, front toggle, and toggle pin. There is no serial marking on the striker. The left of the frame is marked “P.08”.
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 synthetic panels with “bullseye” toward the top of each panel. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered nicks and scratches, most notable at the mounting screw on the left panel. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, some parts have been force-matched and others replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 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 some scattered nicks, tool marks and surface erosion under the finish. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are generally clear, some of the inspection marks are worn or have been punched-out. 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 1942 vintage black leather flap-holster, Luger tool in a pouch inside the flap, and a total of two 8-round magazines with alloy floorplates force-matched to the pistol.
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 Model P.08 Luger that has a mixture of parts. The barrel extension and frame are Mauser, identified by the “42” marking and Mauser “hump”, respectively. The front toggle is from a WWI-era Erfurt pistol. The barrel is a 1950s East German replacement. Some parts have been force-matched and others are non-matching. A set of plastic “bullseye” grips have been installed. A new blue finish has been applied. All of this is consistent with a pistol captured by the Russians during the war and likely issued to the East German Volkspolizei (VoPo) after the war. The pistol is in Very Good-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 will be great for those wanting a piece of German and post-war history. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
