Undated P-08
 

My original post asked about identifying a P-08 and I have received a wealth of information, thanks to all!

The pistol is a 1942 byf (Mauser) P-08 Serial 4477 with excellent bluing (black) and a plum colored extractor. Serial numbers visible all match. There is no visible rust and the barrel is in excellent condition although it should be cleaned. The grips are black and this all points to this being one of the "Black Widow" variety of Lugers.

The previous owner left one of the two magazines loaded but the headstamp on the brass is: W R A Co 9mm Luger. Since the Germans did not refer to this weapon as a "Luger" it seems unlikely that this is WWII ammunition. Also, I suspect that W R A Co stands for Winchester Repeating Arms Company and conclude that this is left over ammunition from a previous outing.

Based on some of the comments this may be a collector grade weapon. Is there a "most popular and reliable" place to get an appraisal?

Is the picture still there? It doesn't show anymore when I log in although I can see the link here in the message>

William

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...te_1_copy1.jpg

Welcome to the forum!

Chamber date and toggle stamp are not independent. Two stamps are related -- If you see "42" on chamber, you are supposed to see "byf" on top of toggle. If that's true, it's a 1942 byf (Mauser).

Black grips are common on 42 byf. It's so common that people has assigned a name to it "Black Widow". I heard there are lots of fake grips. I am new on this, but experts on this forum could help you on grip details if you post detail pictures.

You mentioned it's in good condition but has no bluing. Is it chrome-plated? or has lost its black-tone gun blue over the past 60+ years? Pictures should help.

William,

If you need help posting photographs so we can advise you on this purchase, let us know here and someone will help you get your photos posted.

Welcome to the Lugerforum

I need help, I cannot find the button to add the pictures.

Upload feature for photos is on the top right of every page... photos can only be 200k in size or smaller... once you successfully upload the photo then copy the URL for the photo location and use the IMG button to put it in your post...

If you still need help. ask again.

Your Luger is not 'undated' or perticular unusual. The bakelite grips are also quite common, but they can change hands for some insane prices these days. If you take some close up pictures, especially around the holes on the inside, it might be possible to say if they are original or not. ..or you can do a search in the forum on how to check it yourself.


You are however looking at one of the best Lugers made! And for me it looks like a honest good excample, a collector grade Luger. I would buy it :)

Re: Undated P-08
 

Everything is supposed to be "black" on this one, including ejector and other small parts. Many Black Widows have plum colored ejector, some even show plum color on receiver.

One thing that I have not figured out yet -- so many Black Widows are in minty condition, the minty rate is way higher than any other Luger variations. It's a military gun, looks like many were captured in unissued condition.

The ejector color will not necessarily be "blue" because it is very hard to keep it from being deformed during the pounding of ejection. You seem to have an honest 42. Please do yourself a favor and remove the grips and get yourself some reproduction shooting grips. These 60 year old bakelite grips are very prone to breakage. I have seen them trade for between $200 and $300 dollars recently... they are too fragile to keep on the gun. and too valuable to shoot with.

These late Lugers probably didn't make it into the hands of the troops untill 1943 or even later. This means they were probably in service for a much shorter time than most other Lugers, and thus are encountered in much better condition that most.