1940 Mauser Banner help
 

12 years ago I inherited a luger from my father after he died. He originally got it from his brother after he died in 1993. Both were WW2 vets. It's a 1940 dated Mauser banner police model. I have done some research on these to determine that is what this model is. My father took off the original grips and replaced them with repros some time ago and the originals are lost for good. It came with an original holster and mag loading tool as well. The mags that came with it have wooden bottoms so apparantly those don't match either. Other than that the gun is about 90 percent on the finish with an excellent bore and no rust or pits. The numbers on everything that is numbered all match. The one question I have is that just now I was reading about a "safety sear" that was used on these models for police use. My example is missing that and judging from the light silver round area where the rivet broke off, it looked pretty small to take any kind of hard abuse before breaking. Would it be best to leave it alone or would it be worthwhile to have an original one installed, that's if they are even available ?

Replacing the sear safety is a relatively simple operation that will not otherwise alter or harm the balance of the gun. If it was once there, I think replacing it would enhance the pistol and return it to its original state.

Our own Tom Heller should be able to replace this part with an original for you. Photos of your pistol would be much appreciated by others interested in Police pistols.

Thanks for the info. I'll get some photos up when I can in between my schedule.

Often the sear safety was prepped on Banners but not installed. Is the sideplate notched out on top?

Yes, the side plate is notched on the top edge and is number- matched to the gun.

It probably had the sear safety installed at one time then.

Yes, you can see the remaining part of the rivet where it broke off smooth with the surface of the shelf it was attached to. I'm going to jot down all the proofmark symbols I can see and post them up for the experts here to mill over. I've become very interested in these type of firearms lately and find it more enjoyable than my newer firearms that I have(except for my Colt 45 Auto). I have fired a few mags through this P 08 on occasion in the past few years and I have to admit that it is the best balanced, and most ergo feeling gripped gun that I have in my ownership.