Picking up my 4th Luger tomorrow
 

I am anxiously awiting tomorrow to come. I got a call a caouple of weeks ago from a man who is married to a friend of my wifes. He said he had a couple of german pistols that his grandfather acquired in ww2 and one was a luger. I thought that it was somebody who typically called every german handgun a luger. So i get there and low and behold he has an AC42 P.38 and a nice byf 41 luger (all matching except magazine) about 80% finish and wood grips. I agreed to buy the pair if he threw in the copy of mein kampf and the German script p.08 field maual. He agreed so i am purchasing the luger and field maual tomorrow. The p.38 will come in the next 2 weeks.

The main thing that bothers me about the pistol is that is has a swastika carved on the safety side of the grip . Would you recommend me replacing this or leaving it alone?

My preference would be to have that grip refinished. There are several grip artists on this forum who could accomplish this. ;)

It is a pretty deep carving i will post pics tomorrow i dont know if it would be possible to restore.

It's part of its history, id leave it. If your that bothered by it, replace the grips, but I wouldn't not alter these.

Wayne8661
I have a Mauser grip for the safety side of the frame , it has a small chip on the back corner. I will send it to you if you would like. I can't remember how I ended up with it, think it was in some junk I purchased.
schoolbd

Yep
Don't alter it. "GI art" like it or not.
Fairly common to find initials, carvings or impedded insignia.

Okay Gents here are a few pics Nice pistol all matching except magazine. These are pretty poor pics will take more soon.

Here are some pics of the P.o8 Handbook anyone seen these before?

That swastika does look pretty deep...Still, it could be filled in and recheckered...The swastika might still show, but it wouldn't be as prominent...

And if you're going to shoot it or show it off at the range, you may as well take the copy of Mein Kampf with you... :rolleyes:

I vote for a correct replacement left panel and put that one away.
dju

You'd never "hide" that crooked cross in a million years.
Find a nice replacement and keep the original.
Nice pistol.

I am in agreement I will look for a replacement for display....