LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - New P08 Luger Owner, Many Questions About a Refinished Shooter

Johhny · 08-11-2015, 10:25 PM

I was making the rounds at the local gun stores (California), and was surprised to find a nice looking Luger with a tag reading "$650" on it, and nothing else. Through the case, I looked at the bore, and saw that it was indeed a 9mm, and not a .22 clone or .30 Luger model.

Thinking that the tag must be from another gun, I asked to look at it, and confirmed that it was a consignment, and indeed only listed for $650. The store owner told me that the gun is mismatched, and had been refinished, so there is very little collector value in it. That's fine by me, I just want to have an affordable Luger to shoot! (possibly in USPSA or IDPA to be funny)

Upon closer inspection, the Luger appears to be a 1917 DWM, serial 1xxx. The refinish is a matte blue, and looks a little rough, but cosmetically it looks nicer to me than a worn original finish. That is perfectly fine by me for the price, as I plan on shooting it a lot, and letting others shoot it a lot. Also, I won't be worried about wearing it out by running it quickly from a kydex holster I plan on making.

All numbers seem to match, except possibly the barrel, which I couldn't quite read in the dim store lighting without a magnifying glass. There also appears to be an import mark on the bottom of the barrel, which I also could not read at the moment. However, the bore is bright with sharp rifling.

The store owner is a cool guy, and he let me buy the gun for a flat $700 out the door, giving me a $32 discount off the $732 total with tax and fees.

Here are some photos:

So, how did I do for $700? Did I get ripped off? Did I score a sweet deal? Did I pay the average?

All the numbers except for the sideplate and barrel appear to match. The magazine appears to be of WW2 vintage, and the vendor believes that the old magazine serial number was ground down, and the current serial number was stamped over it.

The magazine also appears like it may have a modified baseplate. The baseplate is aluminum, and appears to have a pin driven through the circular portion to secure it to the magazine body. A disassembly video of a modern MecGar magazine shows that the modern mags use 2 pins that go through the rectangular portion of the baseplate.

Also, when the magazine is seated, the circular portion of the magazine rests about .5 cm below the circular cutout on the frame. The magazine can be held up into the circular cutout, but does not stay there. Is this normal magazine fit?

The sideplate appears to have "81" crossed out, and either a "C 5", "G 5", or "6 5" stamped below it.

I can't quite read the stamping beneath the barrel, but it appears to say "G C S A PENT SAUNT N", with an older crown over "U" proof mark, and a number "653"

The receiver appears to be cut for an artiller Luger sight, just above the 1917 date. I am wondering whether the rebarrel was done by a military, or a commercial entity. I know that some artillery Lugers had their long barrels replaced with 4" barrels following WWI.

Can anyone shed some light on this gun? I am also asking Calguns if they know anything.

I look forward to shooting this gun a lot, although falling into the madness of collecting many Luger variations will have to wait for the forseeable future. I hope I can be a productive member of this forum nonetheless!

Thank you!

08-11-2015, 10:25 PM	#1
Johhny New User Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New P08 Luger Owner, Many Questions About a Refinished Shooter I was making the rounds at the local gun stores (California), and was surprised to find a nice looking Luger with a tag reading "$650" on it, and nothing else. Through the case, I looked at the bore, and saw that it was indeed a 9mm, and not a .22 clone or .30 Luger model. Thinking that the tag must be from another gun, I asked to look at it, and confirmed that it was a consignment, and indeed only listed for $650. The store owner told me that the gun is mismatched, and had been refinished, so there is very little collector value in it. That's fine by me, I just want to have an affordable Luger to shoot! (possibly in USPSA or IDPA to be funny) Upon closer inspection, the Luger appears to be a 1917 DWM, serial 1xxx. The refinish is a matte blue, and looks a little rough, but cosmetically it looks nicer to me than a worn original finish. That is perfectly fine by me for the price, as I plan on shooting it a lot, and letting others shoot it a lot. Also, I won't be worried about wearing it out by running it quickly from a kydex holster I plan on making. All numbers seem to match, except possibly the barrel, which I couldn't quite read in the dim store lighting without a magnifying glass. There also appears to be an import mark on the bottom of the barrel, which I also could not read at the moment. However, the bore is bright with sharp rifling. The store owner is a cool guy, and he let me buy the gun for a flat $700 out the door, giving me a $32 discount off the $732 total with tax and fees. Here are some photos: So, how did I do for $700? Did I get ripped off? Did I score a sweet deal? Did I pay the average? All the numbers except for the sideplate and barrel appear to match. The magazine appears to be of WW2 vintage, and the vendor believes that the old magazine serial number was ground down, and the current serial number was stamped over it. The magazine also appears like it may have a modified baseplate. The baseplate is aluminum, and appears to have a pin driven through the circular portion to secure it to the magazine body. A disassembly video of a modern MecGar magazine shows that the modern mags use 2 pins that go through the rectangular portion of the baseplate. Also, when the magazine is seated, the circular portion of the magazine rests about .5 cm below the circular cutout on the frame. The magazine can be held up into the circular cutout, but does not stay there. Is this normal magazine fit? The sideplate appears to have "81" crossed out, and either a "C 5", "G 5", or "6 5" stamped below it. I can't quite read the stamping beneath the barrel, but it appears to say "G C S A PENT SAUNT N", with an older crown over "U" proof mark, and a number "653" The receiver appears to be cut for an artiller Luger sight, just above the 1917 date. I am wondering whether the rebarrel was done by a military, or a commercial entity. I know that some artillery Lugers had their long barrels replaced with 4" barrels following WWI. Can anyone shed some light on this gun? I am also asking Calguns if they know anything. I look forward to shooting this gun a lot, although falling into the madness of collecting many Luger variations will have to wait for the forseeable future. I hope I can be a productive member of this forum nonetheless! Thank you!