Make: Mauser, 42 code
Model: Parabellum-Pistole, Luger Model P.08
Serial#: 524
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 the left panel has an e/655 waffenamt, the right panel is not marked. The left panel has even light handling wear while the right shows more moderate wear and discoloration. There are some scattered nicks, scratches and scuffing. The checkering is generally well defined, smoothed at the top-rear of the right panel. There are a few tiny losses around the edges. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original to the parts. Most numbered parts match, the bolt stop is non-matching. The sideplate's serial marking is covered by a custom-applied metal reichsadler
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 20% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is scattered with most surfaces gone to a light patina or worn to white. There is infrequent surface erosion, mostly on the frame under the grips. There are a few scattered nicks. 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 lightly tool marked with strong slots. Overall, the pistol is in 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 unmarked wood 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 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, though it is odd that the frame has a "GERMANY" marking on the left rail, typically found on exported pistols. It retains mostly serial-matching parts with a non-matching bolt-stop and the serial marking on the sideplate covered by a custom-applied metal reichsadler. Given its age and the surrounding destructive conflict in the era, the pistol is in decent 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!
