New member needs help on I.D. and age of early P-08

AndrewC · 10-31-2010, 02:48 PM

Hi all, Iwould like to say in advance thank you to all involved, this trully is a great site. I have inherited my fathers Luger and I am looking for as much info on the history of this P-08 as I can get. I'm not new to guns but I am new to Lugers. Any help on age, proofs, history, shoot or not shoot ( I do my own reloads ) would be greatfully appreciated. I am a WW2 history buff and also own a 1943 Ford GPW. Cheers, Andy

AndrewC · 10-31-2010, 03:01 PM

Had some trouble with some of the pics, seems they are to large..will see if I can resize. All parts match, has a "Schiwy" sear safety ?? toggle locks back on empty magazine ( # matching, mag stamped also with # 2 ) knurled knob on take-down lever is broken off but functions. have given a light cleaning and oil since pics. will try to get left side pics in just a few...

Hugo Borchardt · 10-31-2010, 03:01 PM

Andrew:

Is the toggle on the top of the gun marked with the script "DWM"? or is it "Erfurt"?

Clark

AndrewC · 10-31-2010, 03:11 PM

Toggle is stamped DWM, I'm trying to figure out the "adding pics" so please bear with me, a computer genious I'm not......

Hugo Borchardt · 10-31-2010, 04:51 PM

My first guess is a 1908 Military serial #2677e dated 1911, but appears to have a stock lug in photo 1. The problem with this id is that 1908s have no stock lug.

I can see the first "1" in the original date in picture 4. The rest of the date is either worn off, is not visible in the photo or was partially scrubbed.

If it does have a sear safety, then that would denote Weimar reissue in 20's for police use. We would need to see photos of the left side.

Is the magazine numbered? Any unit markings on front grip strap?

AndrewC · 10-31-2010, 05:30 PM

Thank you Clark, yes it does have the stock lug. The magazine is #2677 with a # 2 above the serial #. The date does appear to have been removed with only a " hint" left, only a shadow really. I have tried looking at different angles with with no luck. I took some more pics and will try to upload these.

Hugo Borchardt · 10-31-2010, 05:38 PM

OK. Looks like a 1914 Military dated 1915-1918, probably converted for police use in the 20's by the Weimar police. Perhaps another member can discern the manufacturer year / original chamber date from the serial. Nice pistol!

Norme · 10-31-2010, 05:40 PM

Hi Andrew, Welcome to the forum. Let us know if your gun has a hold open device fitted. This will help narrow down the date somewhat. Regards, Norm

AndrewC · 10-31-2010, 05:50 PM

Hi Norm, Yes it does have a hold open device. No unit markings on the grip strap. I took some more pics but I'm having trouble on how to add more pics to this thread any advice ? Cheers, Andy

FNorm · 10-31-2010, 05:53 PM

Close-ups 0f the acceptance marks on the right receiver could help narrow it down too.

FN

Norme · 10-31-2010, 06:03 PM

Hi Andrew, Since your gun has an e suffix it could date from 1915 through 1918. I don't think we can narrow it down further. It's too bad about that scrubbed chamber date, it looks like a nice gun otherwise. Regards, Norm

AndrewC · 10-31-2010, 06:06 PM

Thanks FN, I have more pics I'm just having trouble adding them.... Cheers, Andy

ledzeppelin · 10-31-2010, 07:04 PM

User banned

AndrewC · 10-31-2010, 07:21 PM

Ok, I think I got it figured out. Checked out the resize pic thread and gave it a try, great info ! here are some more pics. any additional info would be great. Cheers, Andy

FNorm · 10-31-2010, 07:33 PM

According to 'Central Powers Pistols" TSS acceptance was all of 1917, and 1918.

FN

Norme · 10-31-2010, 07:33 PM

Hi Andy, Your gun is a WWI Military Luger that was adapted for police use after 1918. It was fitted with the distinctive sear and magazine safeties that the police required. Most of these guns had the magazine safety removed later, and yours is no exception. I have no idea why the chamber date was removed. Regards, Norm

AndrewC · 10-31-2010, 07:34 PM

Yes, it does have a hold open device.

RichSr · 10-31-2010, 07:46 PM

What Catfishhandguns, FNorm and Norme said are right on, everything points to an Imperial luger later modified for police use (the sear and magazine safety. The lower case e is of course just a part of the serial number. The 8.83 on the barrel indicates 9/mm . I can't think of a luger of this vintage with the stock lug )(after early 1913) that doesn't have a hold open

lugerholsterrepair · 10-31-2010, 08:09 PM

Andy, The matching magazine you show in the pistol is the spare..it has a 2 which indicates this. The first mag would have a 1.

Jerry Burney

AndrewC · 10-31-2010, 08:31 PM

Thanks everybody for the great information, any idea of an approx value for insurance ? also any thoughts on limited shooting ? Cheers, Andy

10-31-2010, 02:48 PM	#1
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	New member needs help on I.D. and age of early P-08 Hi all, Iwould like to say in advance thank you to all involved, this trully is a great site. I have inherited my fathers Luger and I am looking for as much info on the history of this P-08 as I can get. I'm not new to guns but I am new to Lugers. Any help on age, proofs, history, shoot or not shoot ( I do my own reloads ) would be greatfully appreciated. I am a WW2 history buff and also own a 1943 Ford GPW. Cheers, Andy Attached Thumbnails

10-31-2010, 03:01 PM	#3
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 370 Thanks: 338 Thanked 133 Times in 47 Posts	Andrew: Is the toggle on the top of the gun marked with the script "DWM"? or is it "Erfurt"? Clark __________________ My militaria collection is dedicated to the memory of my Grandfather, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Dave Hill, Jr., wounded in action at The Assault of the Second Marine Division on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, 20-23 November, 1943. http://www.tarawa1943.com/pages/casualties%20tarawa.htm

10-31-2010, 04:51 PM	#5
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 370 Thanks: 338 Thanked 133 Times in 47 Posts	My first guess is a 1908 Military serial #2677e dated 1911, but appears to have a stock lug in photo 1. The problem with this id is that 1908s have no stock lug. I can see the first "1" in the original date in picture 4. The rest of the date is either worn off, is not visible in the photo or was partially scrubbed. If it does have a sear safety, then that would denote Weimar reissue in 20's for police use. We would need to see photos of the left side. Is the magazine numbered? Any unit markings on front grip strap? __________________ My militaria collection is dedicated to the memory of my Grandfather, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Dave Hill, Jr., wounded in action at The Assault of the Second Marine Division on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, 20-23 November, 1943. http://www.tarawa1943.com/pages/casualties%20tarawa.htm

10-31-2010, 05:38 PM	#7
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 370 Thanks: 338 Thanked 133 Times in 47 Posts	OK. Looks like a 1914 Military dated 1915-1918, probably converted for police use in the 20's by the Weimar police. Perhaps another member can discern the manufacturer year / original chamber date from the serial. Nice pistol! __________________ My militaria collection is dedicated to the memory of my Grandfather, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Dave Hill, Jr., wounded in action at The Assault of the Second Marine Division on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, 20-23 November, 1943. http://www.tarawa1943.com/pages/casualties%20tarawa.htm

10-31-2010, 07:21 PM	#14
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ok, I think I got it figured out. Checked out the resize pic thread and gave it a try, great info ! here are some more pics. any additional info would be great. Cheers, Andy Attached Thumbnails

10-31-2010, 03:11 PM	#4
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Toggle is stamped DWM, I'm trying to figure out the "adding pics" so please bear with me, a computer genious I'm not......

10-31-2010, 05:30 PM	#6
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thank you Clark, yes it does have the stock lug. The magazine is #2677 with a # 2 above the serial #. The date does appear to have been removed with only a " hint" left, only a shadow really. I have tried looking at different angles with with no luck. I took some more pics and will try to upload these.

10-31-2010, 05:40 PM	#8
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 225 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Andrew, Welcome to the forum. Let us know if your gun has a hold open device fitted. This will help narrow down the date somewhat. Regards, Norm

10-31-2010, 05:50 PM	#9
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hi Norm, Yes it does have a hold open device. No unit markings on the grip strap. I took some more pics but I'm having trouble on how to add more pics to this thread any advice ? Cheers, Andy

10-31-2010, 05:53 PM	#10
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Close-ups 0f the acceptance marks on the right receiver could help narrow it down too. FN

10-31-2010, 06:03 PM	#11
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 225 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Andrew, Since your gun has an e suffix it could date from 1915 through 1918. I don't think we can narrow it down further. It's too bad about that scrubbed chamber date, it looks like a nice gun otherwise. Regards, Norm

10-31-2010, 06:06 PM	#12
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks FN, I have more pics I'm just having trouble adding them.... Cheers, Andy

10-31-2010, 07:04 PM	#13
ledzeppelin Banned Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	User banned

10-31-2010, 07:33 PM	#15
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	According to 'Central Powers Pistols" TSS acceptance was all of 1917, and 1918. FN Last edited by FNorm; 10-31-2010 at 07:41 PM. Reason: dele

10-31-2010, 07:34 PM	#17
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yes, it does have a hold open device.

10-31-2010, 07:46 PM	#18
RichSr User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 128 Thanks: 153 Thanked 54 Times in 36 Posts	What Catfishhandguns, FNorm and Norme said are right on, everything points to an Imperial luger later modified for police use (the sear and magazine safety. The lower case e is of course just a part of the serial number. The 8.83 on the barrel indicates 9/mm . I can't think of a luger of this vintage with the stock lug )(after early 1913) that doesn't have a hold open __________________ Rich

10-31-2010, 08:09 PM	#19
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,879 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,429 Posts	Andy, The matching magazine you show in the pistol is the spare..it has a 2 which indicates this. The first mag would have a 1. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

10-31-2010, 08:31 PM	#20
AndrewC User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 35 Thanks: 37 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks everybody for the great information, any idea of an approx value for insurance ? also any thoughts on limited shooting ? Cheers, Andy