Make: Mauser

Model: P.08 Luger

Serial Number: 1800o

Year of Manufacture: 1939

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated 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 wood. The inside of each panel is stamped "00". The grips show even light handling wear with some scattered nicks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match.

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

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas with some scattered minor wear on the barrel extension. There are some light nicks and small scratches. There are infrequent spots of minor oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. 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 standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a total of two Mauser magazines, one matching and one non-matching.

Our Assessment: The Luger (Pistole Parabellum or P-08) is one of 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, 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 was transferred to 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.

This S/42 code example was made in early 1939, just before the outbreak of WWII. The S/42 code was switched to 42 shortly after this pistol was produced. The pistol is in Very Good condition, having fairly light wear for a service pistol of the era. It has serial matching parts and one matching magazine with an additional magazine that is non-matching. This pistol will be great for those wanting a piece of German history and for those collectors with an interest in German weaponry and 20th Century small arms. Please see our photos and good luck!