Info needed on my 1940 42
 

Hi everyone, please excuse my lack of knowledge of the P08. I had a toy one as a child and recently came across a nice looking one in my local gun shop ... I purchased it with out any research, as it was a good looking gun, probably too good by all accounts.

I won't get my hands on it until the ticket comes through, but I have a question, in front of the trigger guard where most seem to have a serial number this one has a fancy ''S'' and no number, can anyone direct me to some info regarding this model please. tia

If the front of the frame has NO serial number, it is because someone removed it in all likelihood. There may be many reasons someone would do that, especially if it was stolen. If that is the case, you may well want to return this Luger to the seller and get your money back, as in the USA any gun with removed serial numbers is illegal to own. Are you in the USA? Is there a serial number on the bottom of the barrel near the chamber?

I agree with the above, while you're waiting for your ticket why don't start reading the FAQ in the "General Information" section, it would be a good start, so when you'll have a second look at that Luger I bet you'll notice how your knowledge has widened.

Don't jump on the first Luger that you see.
Good luck.

Kind regards.

Rhuff has it right, AND that number on the frame just in front and above the trigger guard is the one that the BATF expects to be there, as the frame is what they consider to be the "gun" part.
There may be additional numbers on the left side of the chamber or bottom of the barrel.
Examine closely for file or grind marks, and if you see them suggesting that numbers have been altered, run! If for no other reason than the value just dropped to the $500 range.
dju

Looks like I may have purchased a problem gun then!

I've looked at several guns over a few years and this was the first one that was in a decent enough condition to make a nice shooter for me.

I'm in the UK, there are matching numbers on the l/s, but non on the barrel or trigger guard.

Not such a good start, I'll keep you posted and perhaps get some pics.

Thanks for the help.

In the US, the legally recognized serial number for a Mauser made Luger would be on the frame, above the Trigger Guard.

The other numbers would not be the legally recognized ones.

If the serial number and suffix isn't there, it's been removed and something else added in it's place. It's not authentic, and not collectible by US standards. After removal, it would have been refinished, so you now have an example of a refinished gun to inspect.

Things could vary in the UK, including the legality of the gun (which I expect is also deactivated).

Marc

Does the scroll effect ''S'' on the trigger guard have any meaning?

Not likely, unless it is a previous owners initial.

Forgot about the K date "S", sorry.

K date (1934) Lugers had an S on the front of the trigger guard.

You live in the UK and did you manage to find a gun to shoot? :confused:

If I had to say, I'd say thats it, but from memory its just below where the serial number is ... in the reflective part of your pic. I'll have to wait until I see the gun again. Thanks for taking the trouble to up load the pic.

Yep :)

What you are probably looking at is the Letter suffix, which seems to have avoided being removed as the serial number has. UK laws may be different, but if you are buying to collect, this is not the pistol. If you are buying because you are one of the lucky few to be able to own a live gun in the UK, then collectability takes a back seat to availability.

Some time I would like to hear how some in the U. K. get to own shooters while others get deactivated former-guns. And I understand even those are now under political pressure. Good luck to you!
dju

I have been told that you must belong to an accredited gun or shooting club, where "your" pistol is kept under lock and key. You can only handle and shoot it on the approved premises.

I wonder who cleans it? Somebody of the range? It seems all so ridiculous, let's hope that the European burocrats won't influence also my Country.

Sergio, so what are firearms ownership laws like in Italy?

Not all states in the US have the same rules, the same goes for other countries.