Newbie question
 

Hi. I am just starting to look at Lugers as a collectable item. Have a fairly deep background with modern firearms but not so much with older models.

First question. In looking online (Simpson and Legacy) I see some that are marked "P 08" towards the back by the safety. Is that a import mark as most I am looking at don't have it?

#2. On some there is a "shiney" diamond shape piece ahead of the toggle. It is numbered but is not on all of the models I see. What is this? Is a model with it more desirable?

Thanks for your tolerance of new guy questions!!

Firstly, welcome to the Forum.

1. The P.08 that you see on the side of some frames is a model number. With the introduction of the P.38 as the standard German sidearm, the P.08 was added to Mauser made Lugers (P.08) delivered during and after the 41/42 manufacturing code. I.e. started marking the P.08 in early 1941. This extended to the gun, holsters and some tools and was done to avoid confusion or mix-ups with the P.38 and its accessories. Therefore you do not see this mark on earlier P.08 pistols and never on P.08 pistols made by Krieghoff. A minor point: You will see some 1940 dated holsters with an ink stamped P.08 so evidently they did go back and mark some existing inventory with the P.08.

FYI, Mauser made both P.08s and P.38s.

2. I suspect that the diamond shaped thing you see is actually the end of the safety bar. When the gun is in the SAFE position the lever is pushed up and hence visible. When the gun is in the fire position, it is retracted and hence not visible.

It only affects the function and value of the gun when it is missing.

Hope this helps.

John

I don't hve a commercial Luger in front of me to check for reference, but on the commercial market guns was the safety bar stamped with the last 2 numbers as were the military guns?
dju

no Mr.Uden safetys were unmarked on mercials.

Thanks for the info. I have always been interested in Lugers and decided that now is the time.

Seems like a great forum, lots of good info!!

Peter