First Luger
 

New to lugers this is my first one. 1938 S/42. I understand it's a mauser p08. I completely dissasymbled it all the way down except for removing the main spring. All the parts including the grips are matching numbers 04. The magazine however has no markings on it at all, can anyone tell me what I have for a magazine?

Hi Stewart,
It's hard to tell from your photos but if the ends of the retaining pin that secures the base to the mag body are convex, and not concave, then it's a very late war (1944/45) Haenel Schmeisser magazine.
Regards, Norm

Stewman, congrats on your first Luger. You've got a nice one. Spend some time reading the FAQ section as there is a wealth of info there. You need to get a correct holster for it next. Do you plan to shoot it?

Ya I plan to shoot it at least one or two magazines through it.

Hi Stewman
Looks like a very nice gun!! A 1938 Mauser :)
I understand that Mauser metallurgy is second to none- with all parts matching- it should shoot very well. This is your first P08... are you interested in collecting... or are you more of a shooter?

I am in the middle myself- I have a 1917 DWM- collector- so I haven't fired it... but I really like to shoot- so I have found a shooter with a Forum member- but have to wait at least until mid August or so before I can take her home (Dutch law).

Let us know how your first time at the range goes?

In my opinion shooting an all matching collectible is always a waste, but it's your gun anyway, at least do not use heavy loads.
A MEC-GAR mag would do.

I wonder if this gun is refinished. From the photo it looks like it.... to me anyway. Yes- shooting a collectible is something I also feel very nervous about- that's why I haven't fired mine. Would be nice to be able to look at a gun and tell straight away whether the finish is original or not...
Only way is experience and a practiced eye? (I cannot claim to have either yet)
Nice gun for sure.

I don't think it has been refinished heres a close up pic.

Wow!!! Very nice !
If the finish is original, then you do have a collector's piece. (Since all parts match as well) Question now is, "Do you want to shoot it?" An ongoing debate... with widely divergent opinions :))
There are several threads in this forum you may want to see to help you form your own position.
In any case, your story sounds a lot like mine :))
Very nice gun for your first! Great job!

I would say not refinished, however, even the nicest guns usually have some slap back markings (rear of toggle on the frame) after firing. Some don't, we just had a discussion about that recently.

The magazine looks like a 41 to 42 commercial magazine, one without markings. The body is accepted (proofed),

Ed

The upper may not be refinished; but IMO the frame has been.
Just look at the texture of the rear of the frame, it is not smooth, but rough- especially the upper left ear area; and as Ed says- no toggle wear marks.

An inside picture or four would help.

On some pistols it is difficult to tell if the piece has been refinished. Photos of the inside of the side plate and the entire bottom of the toggle would help, as would more photos outside in natural light. Please include a top views, barrel underside, frame front and front grip strap. If your camera will do it, very close up photos of markings and any corrosion will help judge finish.

From what you have I cannot say if finish is original or not, but I see some things that make me suspicious. Lack of slap marks on both sides always raises a question. Barrel seems worn, but the one grip strap seem uniform; usually the grips show the most finish loss probably due to moisture etc. from holding. When I see things that raise questions it makes me want to look further.

In your full gun photos I can definitely see the magazine pins are convex, so to Norme's comment you have an unnumbered Haenel Schmeisser magazine that was issued after your pistol was manufactured. It is common for Mauser Lugers like yours to have magazines that were not issued with the gun but were issued during the general era, so it not a big deal. IMO that is a very desirable magazine in the marketplace as it "matches" late war pistols that were issued without numbered magazines.

Here are some more pics ro try and determine the finish being original.

Impossible to say for sure from pictures, but I still don't like the rear outside of the frame; and the new pictures show pits with bluing in them on the bottom of the receiver.

I would not buy it or sell it as original finish, without a hands on exam.