Make: Mauser

Model: Parabellum-Pistole, Luger Model P.08

Serial#: 3173a

Year of Manufacture: 1940

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Action Type: Toggle-Action Semi-Automatic Striker-Fired Pistol fed by Detachable Magazine

Barrel Length: 4"

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is serrated blade dovetailed to a banded base integral to the muzzle. The rear sight is a "V"-notch integral to the rear toggle link.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two-piece checkered wood. The interior of each panel is stamped "73". The grip panels have even light wear with a few minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8/10.

Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas show light handling wear, more notable in the backstrap, with a spot worn to white at the bottom of the frontstrap. There is light wear on each side of the barrel. There are some other spots of wear on raised features. There are a few nicks and scratches, most notable in the frontstrap. There are infrequent spots of minor oxidation. 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. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: The pistol comes with a single non-matching 8-round magazine, Carl Ackva 1939 dated flap-holster and a Mauser Luger tool in the holster.

Our Assessment: The Luger 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, essentially a much improved Borchardt type pistol. 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 particular Luger was manufactured in 1940, a year into the Second World War. It would prove to be the most successful year of the war for Germany with France defeated in less than two months and several major victories for the Wehrmacht across Europe primarily at the expense of the British Expeditionary Force. The pistol's markings are consistent with army issued small arms manufactured in 1940, retaining serial-matching parts a good bore and strong mechanics. Given its age and the surrounding destructive conflict in the era, the pistol is in remarkable condition. If you are a fan of German military arms and WWII history, this is the handgun for you. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid!