Hello Luger Enthusiasts,
I am surveying the local market, on the hunt for my first P08. Got together with a fellow who had a few for sale, one of which I've linked detailed pictures to at the flickr link below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/571379...57649817481893
Although I am not looking for an immaculate beauty queen or a rarity for my first Luger, I could tell a stark difference between the matching byf 42 he also showed me (which was not for sale) and the pistol at the link above. Not just in appearance, but in parts "fitment" and the feel of the gun in the hand. No doubt this was owed at least in part to the matching/non-matching nature of the two weapons.
Could you gentlemen help me address these questions I have?
1a. Does the X in front of the serial on the left side of the frame denote this as a Russian capture gun, or is it P08 compiled from spare parts?
1b. If it is an RC, in such condition as the exterior pictures show, is a fair price somewhere between 700-800 depending on the bore or other factors?
2. As a first Luger, would such a purchase (if it is a RC) be more of a novelty ("and in this moment in history, the Soviets got a few P08s..."), rather than something that would be a candidate for a range date/shooter once in awhile?
I thank you in advance for any information you all can share and am eager to hear any other bits of advice or insight you can give regarding this P08 (even if that advice is, "Stay far away from it!").