Make: Mauser, byf code

Model: Parabellum-Pistole, Luger Model P.08

Serial#: 385k

Year of Manufacture: 1942

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 grips show fairly light handling wear, most notable is some discoloration along the top edge of the left panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6-7/10.

Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some scattered spots of wear on raised features. Some of these worn areas show surface oxidation with some other scattered tiny spots of oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The markings are generally clear, some inspection marks were applied before final polish or were poorly struck. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, the 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 Mauser alloy floorplate 8-round magazine.

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 1942 while the Second World War was well underway. Operation Barbarossa had been launched against the Soviets and America had been pulled into the war by the attack on Pearl Harbor and Germany's foolish declaration of war against the USA. The pistol's markings are consistent with army issued small arms manufactured in 1942 and the pistol retains serial matching parts, though the included magazine is non-matching. Given its age and the surrounding destructive conflict in the era, the pistol is in quite nice overall condition, retaining a decent bore and strong mechanics. 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!