Questions about a new p08 byf 41
 

Hello!

I've inherited a luger p.08 with byf 41 markings from my grandfather. I've got some questions about it. I don't have pictures yet, I'll get some in a couple days:

It's marked 135 and 655, serial number 6061. According to some posts on this forum, that makes it a relatively rare variant.

It also has plastic grips and an original magazine, though I'm not sure if the magazine matches.

It's lost some finish on the barrel, it looks like from a holster.

I'd like to shoot it, but I'm wondering if it has any significant value that shooting would impact. I'm sure it's been fired before, but not for many years. I'm itching to take it to the range!

Thanks!

~Michael

I'll hold judgement on the gun pending photos, but shooting a matching Luger is a bit of a crap shoot. If a numbered part breaks, as old, or new, metal things sometimes do, the value just dropped by hundreds of dollars. The conventional wisdom here is that it is best to not shoot the matching piece, but to buy a mismatched shooter. But that decision is yours and yours alone.
Welcome, and we look forward to photos and any known history.
dju

If your grandfather acquired his Luger during action in the European War Theater during military service, consider getting in touch with Edward Tinker on this board. He collects stories of War trophy "bring backs".

If he acquired it when in the service, you may also find papers that authorized him to return to the USA with his war trophy. If you locate these, keep them safe as part of the history of your Luger.

Marc

DavidJayUnden: Thanks for the advice, I'll go with conventional wisdom on this. If all the parts are actually matching, then it makes sense to not fire it in case of breakage. I'll get pictures up soon, just need to get a decent camera.

mrerick: I've gotten some more details, it sounds like my grandfather most likely purchased it once he got back, for the collector's/souvenir value. He was in the Navy and mostly stationed in the Pacific. I'll have to go digging and see what papers I can find.

If you want to shoot a Luger, keep your eyes open for a mismatched or refinished shooter. $600-$800 and they won't loose value. They are a hoot at the range. I have a 4" military shooter, a Navy shooter, and of course an Artillery shooter. The hardest part is deciding which one to take along to the range. So I do it in rotation.
dju

Pictures! Please let me know if there are any other useful angles or parts I should focus on! Or if the lighting is too poor to make out the details of finish/etc.

Also, I may have gone overboard on the photos. Another post with the others to come.

The magazine has a plastic bottom, and doesn't appear to match in serials. Beyond that, I'm not exactly sure what I should look for.

And here are the other 4!

I've screwed the screws into the grips. They're not just resting on top hiding missing holes; the holes are there and they fit the screws.

A stunning BYF 41 "Black Widow" Luger!!!! Keep it in this condition always! A great acquisition.

A wonderful inheritance!:thumbsup: And your acceptance of it and interest in it may be the beginning of an exciting new aspect of your life. I can probably speak for all when recommending patience, research, and moderation in things Luger. So please do as we say, not as we do!

(Think your family could adopt me?)

Hi Michael,
You don't show the suffix on the front of the frame below the serial number, if it has one. Depending on the suffix (when it was manufactured), the Bakelite bottom mag should be correct for your Luger. The early 41BYF's had numbered aluminum bottomed mags.

Thanks for sharing your story. The "Black Widow" is really, really Nice!

Well, I was thinking about running about 50 rounds through it (they came along with it) just to have had the pleasure of using it once. Apparently it's in better condition than I realized, though! Is there any shock and horror from the idea of using this lovely piece of work? :)

alanint: Thanks! That's great to hear!

ithacaartist: Yeah! I definitely want to get a Luger for shooting now. A friend of mine is very much into IDPA matches, and it would be great to have one there. Not the best because of the low magazine capacity, unfortunately, so I may have to get another pistol before I get that shooting luger.. (Sorry, we lean more towards dogs. They don't have the thumbs to operate our hardware :D )

MFC: The serial is just 6061, no suffix. That also puts it squarely in the range of 135-655 marked ones as well according to one forum post I've misplaced... Attached a picture with this view!

hyrax222: You're welcome! I'm honored to handle it!

Thanks for the picture. The mag is correct for this late 41BYF.