All P08's equal in workmanship?

Uechi · 11-18-2013, 02:41 PM

I am assuming that all Lugers/P08's are not equal in quality/workmanship depending on when they were made and what factory made them. Am I correct? If I am, how would you rank the manufacturers? Getting ready to buy my first P08/Luger and I'm trying to figure out what to buy. Pricing is important but not nearly as the workmanship aspect and condition.

Edward Tinker · 11-18-2013, 02:49 PM

too wide of a net - it depends on personal taste

some will say that the commercials are nicest, some same that the later Mausers are (workmanship and having been in much less conditions due to age).

I think the early 1900's are very well made, but you said P08, so that would be German military technically.

DavidJayUden · 11-18-2013, 03:37 PM

If you are referring to Lugers in general, I put the 1900 models toward the top. Shootable works of art.
In military guns, WW1 DWM were nice, and the long barrel models were a bit more glitzy.
Late DWM German guns were still nice. Erfut guns leaned just a bit more toward functionality.
Mauser guns are said to be better shooters, with better metallurgy. A bit less glitzy and more functional.
I know I'm missing a lot, but that is a brief synopsis, IMHO.
But everyone here will have their own opinions, it is all a matter of personal taste.
dju

Uechi · 11-18-2013, 04:02 PM

Thanks guys. Just looking for opinions then I'll make up my own mind but inputs from people who have actually collected P-08/ Lugers is interesting.

mrerick · 11-18-2013, 05:06 PM

And then there are the Swiss Lugers.

The 1900/06 Swiss Lugers made by DWM are very good. I think that the Germans were possibly trying to impress the Swiss when they were made.

Then, later, the Swiss Bern made Lugers are superb. I think that the nicest one I have is one of these; a 06 W+F ...

(per Ron's notes below, I now have the correct nomenclature... which I will now adapt as "1900/06 Waffenfabrik Bern")

Ron Wood · 11-18-2013, 07:41 PM

Marc,
Glad you have a nice one, but there ain't no such thing as a 1906/24. That is a designation I am trying to destroy. The Swiss started making their own Lugers in 1918, not 1924. I'm not picking on you, it is in common use and it is in error, and I have made it my own personal crusade to get rid of it.

Sergio Natali · 11-19-2013, 07:25 AM

Welcome to this forum.

If I were you I would try to read as much as possible, before I go to get my first Luger.
You'll see that there is an awful lot to learn about these fascinating guns.

Uechi · 11-19-2013, 11:07 AM

Thanks Guys reading topics on Lugers as we speak and saving my pennies.

Ron Wood · 11-19-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

And then there are the Swiss Lugers.

The 1900/06 Swiss Lugers made by DWM are very good. I think that the Germans were possibly trying to impress the Swiss when they were made.

Then, later, the Swiss Bern made Lugers are superb. I think that the nicest one I have is one of these; a W+F 1906/24...

(per Ron's note below, I seek the correct nomenclature...)

I would suggest "1900/06 Waffenfabrik Bern", " '06 W+F", "1906 Bern" or some variant of any of them...but nothing that includes 1924!

Uechi · 11-19-2013, 04:01 PM

Thanks Ron I read up on them.

kubel · 11-19-2013, 11:10 PM

Quote:

If you are referring to Lugers in general, I put the 1900 models toward the top. Shootable works of art.
In military guns, WW1 DWM were nice, and the long barrel models were a bit more glitzy.
Late DWM German guns were still nice. Erfut guns leaned just a bit more toward functionality.
Mauser guns are said to be better shooters, with better metallurgy. A bit less glitzy and more functional.
I know I'm missing a lot, but that is a brief synopsis, IMHO.
But everyone here will have their own opinions, it is all a matter of personal taste.
dju

Nice, quick (and pretty accurate) synopsis as far as I'm concerned.

Uechi · 11-20-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

I would suggest "1900/06 Waffenfabrik Bern", " '06 W+F", "1906 Bern" or some variant of any of them...but nothing that includes 1924!

Very nice Lugers but from what I can see out of my price range. 5 to 7K is just way too much $ for my budget. Story of my life. Champagne tastes on a Budweiser budget

cirelaw · 11-20-2013, 11:29 AM

I agree with Ed! I would have to say the early commercials were the finest as they had to be sold to the commercial market and were widely advertised to the public, I.E. 1902 fat Barrel and 1908 commercial...Both are usually found in excellant condition page 119, 'Luger Variations'~~~ In reguard to holsters the 1908 commercial holster and Krieghoff are the nicest that I've ever owned.~~Eric

Uechi · 11-20-2013, 07:08 PM

Thanks Eric

cirelaw · 11-20-2013, 07:40 PM

Jeff, they will always be your best investment!!!

Uechi · 11-21-2013, 09:24 PM

Swiss Lugers are very nice but I'm not a fan of 7.64 firearms. Looking else where to 9 mm land.

11-18-2013, 02:41 PM	#1
Uechi User Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	All P08's equal in workmanship? I am assuming that all Lugers/P08's are not equal in quality/workmanship depending on when they were made and what factory made them. Am I correct? If I am, how would you rank the manufacturers? Getting ready to buy my first P08/Luger and I'm trying to figure out what to buy. Pricing is important but not nearly as the workmanship aspect and condition. Last edited by Uechi; 11-18-2013 at 04:04 PM.

11-18-2013, 02:49 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	too wide of a net - it depends on personal taste some will say that the commercials are nicest, some same that the later Mausers are (workmanship and having been in much less conditions due to age). I think the early 1900's are very well made, but you said P08, so that would be German military technically. __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

11-18-2013, 05:06 PM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	And then there are the Swiss Lugers. The 1900/06 Swiss Lugers made by DWM are very good. I think that the Germans were possibly trying to impress the Swiss when they were made. Then, later, the Swiss Bern made Lugers are superb. I think that the nicest one I have is one of these; a 06 W+F ... (per Ron's notes below, I now have the correct nomenclature... which I will now adapt as "1900/06 Waffenfabrik Bern") __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-18-2013, 07:41 PM	#6
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,178 Times in 1,703 Posts	Marc, Glad you have a nice one, but there ain't no such thing as a 1906/24. That is a designation I am trying to destroy. The Swiss started making their own Lugers in 1918, not 1924. I'm not picking on you, it is in common use and it is in error, and I have made it my own personal crusade to get rid of it. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-19-2013, 07:25 AM	#7
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Welcome to this forum. If I were you I would try to read as much as possible, before I go to get my first Luger. You'll see that there is an awful lot to learn about these fascinating guns. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

11-18-2013, 03:37 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	If you are referring to Lugers in general, I put the 1900 models toward the top. Shootable works of art. In military guns, WW1 DWM were nice, and the long barrel models were a bit more glitzy. Late DWM German guns were still nice. Erfut guns leaned just a bit more toward functionality. Mauser guns are said to be better shooters, with better metallurgy. A bit less glitzy and more functional. I know I'm missing a lot, but that is a brief synopsis, IMHO. But everyone here will have their own opinions, it is all a matter of personal taste. dju

11-18-2013, 04:02 PM	#4
Uechi User Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks guys. Just looking for opinions then I'll make up my own mind but inputs from people who have actually collected P-08/ Lugers is interesting.

11-19-2013, 11:07 AM	#8
Uechi User Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Guys reading topics on Lugers as we speak and saving my pennies.

11-19-2013, 04:01 PM	#10
Uechi User Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Ron I read up on them.

11-20-2013, 11:29 AM	#13
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	I agree with Ed! I would have to say the early commercials were the finest as they had to be sold to the commercial market and were widely advertised to the public, I.E. 1902 fat Barrel and 1908 commercial...Both are usually found in excellant condition page 119, 'Luger Variations'~~~ In reguard to holsters the 1908 commercial holster and Krieghoff are the nicest that I've ever owned.~~Eric

11-20-2013, 07:08 PM	#14
Uechi User Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Eric

11-20-2013, 07:40 PM	#15
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Jeff, they will always be your best investment!!!

11-21-2013, 09:24 PM	#16
Uechi User Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Swiss Lugers are very nice but I'm not a fan of 7.64 firearms. Looking else where to 9 mm land.