Ed
Dies usually have small parts break off or wear down. The photo shown (1938 sn 2654)above definitley has the top loop of the "8" completed and I would estimate that it is a correct "8".
The various photographs of magazines and right receiver stamps indicates original "8" stamps on the Lugers in the 1938 S/42, 599m to 2654n serial range. However, these "8"s are not well formed. They looks like a "6" that had the top loop completed to make the "8".
Jan
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