Luger PO8 byf 42 May Purchase Need Review
 

I'm traveling and found this byf 42 in a LGS. Asking &1,995.00 but got another $100 off, so $1,895.00. He has a couple of original non-matching holsters that I may negotiate for as well.

This is numbers matching exterior. I have not had it apart to check markings inside. Does not appear to have be re-blued as stamps are not rounded, pretty sharp in fact. Price is somewhat stiff for me, but it would be my first Luger and I want it to be a good collectible rather than a shooter. I can get one of those later.

Price is softened by the fact that I have won two guns on raffle in the last year. One is a NIB Ruger New American 9MM w/two mags. The other is a Ruger SR1911 .45 ACP 1911. It is declared "used" since I put 2 mags of rounds through it. Both I will sell tomorrow or if not, trade in on the Luger.

Since it's my first Luger, I would really appreciate your comments on the gun itself and, of course, the price.

Thanks for the add.

Old retired U.S. Army Officer (hooked on guns). More expensive than "Pickleball!":cheers:

Lou,

Thanks for posting and welcome to the Forum.

Pictures aren't the greatest but nothing leaps out as being wrong. You would need to take the gun apart to check internal numbers to be sure. In fact, nice to see a byf42 with wood grip panels. Most collectors do not realize that much of 1942 production did leave the factory with wood grips. A lot of people prefer to switch them out for black plastic grips and call them Black Widows.

You may want to check the inside of the grips to see if they have the last two digits of the SN or an Eagle 655 or 135 inspection stamp.

The magazine picture is not really good enough to comment on. But looks okay.

Price may be a bit high but not out of the world.

Hope this helps.

John

Nice Luger

Thank you. I surely don't want to overpay or make a bad "collector" decision. Especially on my firstLuger.

The only thing I would note, is that the photos appear to show "fitting" to the grip panels. Forward of the grip screws on the bottom edge. Kind of looks like file marks. I could be wrong.

Nothing scares me but the price. I see a $1600 gun. But we are a different market than he is stretching for.
dju

Agree that the grips look recently "fitted".

Be very careful removing the left grip. You do not want to break off the bit behind the safety.

They have an in store gunsmith. I'll let him take it apart.

Just be aware that many/most 'smiths have no knowledge of lugers.

I usually just take off the right panel. With the mag out, you can see most of the markings through the mag well on the left panel.

Luger PO8 byf 42
 

Excellent! Thank you!