Help identify
 

Hi, I'm new to your group. I would like your help and advice in identifying this Luger.:typing:

WWII Mauser s/42 in exceedingly bad shape

What's left of a "G" date 1935 Mauser P 08. Yikes.

It also appears to be a "G" date as marked on top of the barrel extension. Those are highly sought after (in good condition) because they were made in 1935. K-dated P.08's were made in late 1934 so they along with your G-dated P.08 are among the first Nazi P.08's made when Hitler came to power after the dissolution of the Weimar Republic.

The K and G markings were a code to keep the allies from knowing where they were made (Mauser made them). The Germans later abandoned the letter coding and started stamping the year date of mfg. beginning in 1936.

Sadly, your G-date P.08 has virtually no collector value due to condition. If the bore looks even halfway decent you could probably use it a a shooting grade non-collectible Luger.

There will be conflicting opinions given as to whether you should try to remove the rust and refinish it or leave it in its current condition. I would cold blue it at the very least in order to even out the coloration but others may demur on the advisability of doing anything at all to it in order to preserve it in the state it was found.
-Bob

I would have to try and clean it up as good as possible......just because that is me. It won't lose any value doing it.

Thank you very much for the advice and opinion! I think I will try to restore.:)

What a shame that this piece was allowed to get in this condition. Very rare! Very collectible.

My vote would be to clean it up as much as possible and get protection on the finish. An authentic piece in poor condition but preserved, is worth much more financially and emotionally than a refinished piece. JMVHO.

John

Thanks for the support and advice! I will try to restore it ��