my dream came true
 

Hi, today is the big day for me, the realization of my ten years dream. I finally finished licencing works and got my first P08 (a $ 2.200- shooter). Before bringing it home, I asked the gunsmith for a little demonstration and he shot 6 rounds in 3 seconds. The gun mechanically works fine with a MecGar magazine and all numbers are matching.

However, there is a big problem with blueing and I am thinking of getting it painted matt black. Also, a friend of mine in TX will buy Simpsonltd new checkered walnut grips and send them over to Istanbul.(they dont accept turkish issued credit cards)

I learned a lot from you guys but still I am a rookie on the Lugers. Here comes several questions if somebody would kindly help me:
1- What year is my DMW? Is it military or commercial? (I checked Dwightâ??s commercial list but coul not come to a conclusion)
2- Are the bakelite grips original? (maybe Krieghoff replacements?)
3- There is a gap between the toggle and the back left corner of the frame, is it a serious defect? (pictures107, 117)
4- What is the meaning of the proof mark on the right side? (it looks like a mauser military proof. picture103)
5- The gunsmith has a 6â??â?? cannon part that he wants to sell. Would you suggest using my frame with another cannon?

Thanks and kindest regards,

more photos

Hi,

You have a very nice example of a former DDR (East-German) VoPo (Volkspolizei) luger. The East-Germans rearmed themselves using refurbished pre-1945 pistols. The blueing and the grips are absolutely correct for this variation and I suggest not to change either the blue or the grips on the pistol.

This pistol was assembled by the East-Germans by using the parts of several different donor pistols. The frame and receiver are made by Mauser, the toggle is DWM. This is quite normal in DDR VoPo lugers.

In short: nice buy, don't change anything, it is legit as it is.

no date...
 

thanks a lot.
So, most regrettably, I believe there is no way for dating the gun.
How about the gap on the back left corner between toggle and frame? is it hazardous/serious?

The gap I see is between the barrel extension and the frame. If everything else is correct (toggle axle pin, toggle fit within the barrel extension, toggle links, etc,) I can not see why this is a problem. Lube it lightly and watch for signs of wear or damage. (I'm shooting an artillery Luger with a bulged barrel!)
And have fun!
DJU

about this vo-po refurbishing process, did they take parts from several pistols, erase the date and all the numbers from the parts and in my pistol's case stamped 788/88 all over the parts?
it is sounds like a lot of trouble.

Yes and no, depending on the luger.

Sometimes you see them with alll the correct numbers and nothing done (no rebluing or dip bluing), sometimes all the correct numbers and they are "dipped" blued.

Sometimes you see them with 1, 2 or more parts changed.

The purpose of the renumbering was most likely once they put a new part on it, fitted it and it worked, they renumbered it, a guess on my part, but most likely correct.


ed

Thanks for your comments. Please correct me if I am wrong.

My Luger started life as a commercial (no date on the receiver & made in germany under the barrel) Mauser (shape of the frame) serial number 788.
There is no way to learn the production year.
Somehow after WWII, DDR got it, changed the original with a DWM toggle, stamped number 88 on the new toggle, changed the grips and dip blued it (color variation on the back).
Thatâ??s how my VoPo is born.

Can't someone here determine approx. date of origin of the frame given the full # and suffix?
DJU

originally posted by Ron Wood

Your nice VOPO Luger was assembled from several different parts. The original Mauser receiver and frame were from a military gun. The date was ground off the chamber when it was reworked. The barrel is a replacement. When all the parts were assembled and functional, I am fairly sure most of the gun was renumbered throughout. There is no way to determine the original production year or when it was reworked by the DDR.

Thanks a lot to everyone who bothered to look and spend time to comment on my piece.

Now everythings is more clear about mr nice guy 08.