Make: Erfurt

Model: Parabellum-Pistole, Luger Model P.08

Serial#: 27

Year of Manufacture: 1918, we do not know when the pistol was re-worked.

Caliber: 9mm Luger

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

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 inside of the each panel is serial-matching with an Imperial inspection mark. The grips have even light wear. There are a few scattered light marks, mostly nicks in the right panel. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Strawed

Finish Originality: Refinished, likely Arsenal re-worked. Some parts are force-matched. The Spandau marking on the front toggle is likely spurious and the toggle was originally an Erfurt part.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well-defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5-6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 85% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered light finish wear. There are scattered light nicks and small scratches. The action shows operational wear. The markings are generally clear, some inspection marks are shallow or incomplete. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, the pistol is in Very Good condition as re-worked.

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 force-matched 8-round magazine with wood floorplate.

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, 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 WWI, the pistols were also made by the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt.

This particular Luger is an interesting find for the collectors. It is known that Spandau re-worked some pistols during the inter-war years. It is speculated that a small number were actually produced by Spandau, with serial numbers observed from 12-177 and chamber dates from 1917-1918, but it is believed that these were assembled using Erfurt parts. It is generally accepted that Spandau never marked a toggle such as is found on this example. While the Spandau marking is considered spurious, other features of this pistol are consistent with a Spandau re-work. In any case, this is a fascinating example for the collector and may prove useful in the ongoing study of the guns. Good luck on your bid!