Hello Friends,
Let me say that I am really happy to see the big interest about the French production (read assembly).
For sure these variations are not really known, mainly in USA. I know that at least one collector in USA has both a P08 and LP08.
I am working hard to collect information and pictures from the French authorities about these variations.
For example, to reply to Joop, thank you to active French collectors and experts, now we have documents that trace that P08 where assembled after 1946 in France.
Recently has been discovered that a new simplified type of magazine has been produced in France to fulfill the request of spare magazines from the Army and Police (the blue print of this magazine are available as well as one example)
I guess that the easier think to satisfy the interest about these guns is to write something (a few articles or a short booklet). I am working on this idea not only with French collectors but also with some German historical experts that are interested in clarifying the Mauser production when Oberndorf was under French control; also the Mauser Museum in Oberndorf is working on this matter and, just to let you know, the only LP08 shown in the Mauser museum in one of this French model.
Coming back to the question of Big Norm, it is difficult to reply to all these questions with a short text therefore I will try to summarize:
Holsters: In the beginning the holsters for the French LP08 where made directly in Germany. Then, when the production (read assembly) was moved in France, several kinds of holsters where produced. Let me say that, looking at the pictures available on the Indochina and Alger wars, the French soldiers carried holsters for others pistols (mainly USA Colt and some others French pistols) customized to fill P08. As far as I know the holsters are not marked.
Bluing: All the parts are blued but the firing pin and the safety lever; the final result is a nice bright black.
Chamber: The 4th variation (among 5) has the chamber dated 42. This because the French in the last phase of assembling re-uses spare chamber previously dated. No LP08 are reported in the range of numbering where the chamber dated 42 have been used. Therefore all the chamber of the LP08 reported so far are w/o number.
Numbering: The numbering doesnâ??t use any letter because the complete production planned was less than 5000 pistols. For sure the French use a different numbering and proofing wrt the Nazi production. The complete serial number is reported on the receiver and on the front of the frame. The last two digits on the side plate, dismounting lever, the side plate the middle and rear toggle parts. The magazine is numbered with the complete number on the bottom. The proof mark could be a star or an eagle/n in accordance to the different numbering range.
Toggle: All the toggle of the French P08 and LP08 have the Mauser Banner.
LP08 Barrel: The French re-uses the barrels available in Mauser for the previous LP08 contracts (Stoeger, Persian and Siamese) therefore no fine adjusting screws are available.
I hope this info could help but I repeat I am working in a complete document that should cover the production and the use from 1945 up to 1970.
Christian: congratulation for the nice find. Notice that your holster is made to be carried with all kind of belt, mine only with that specific military model. Interesting difference.
Cheers,
mauro
