Bought 1st. P08 & have questions.

08-09-2001, 05:04 PM

I was at a local gunstore yesterday and purchased a P 08 that had just been sold to the gunsmith (a friend of mine). The aging vet that sold it had no need for it anymore. It is a 1938 S/42 all matching (except the 2 magazines)pistol in 95-98% original bluing. The Serial Number is 16xx m. It came with its original holster (I'm assuming). The holster is brown and says on the back KIMNACH U BRUNN KAISERLAUTERN 1940 WaA416. Inside the holster is a tool. The bore is in excellent condition on the gun. I paid $ 700.00 for the gun and two hours later while visiting another gunshop, that gunshop owner offered me $ 1,000.00 for it. I declined. Any info. appreciated. OBTW, on the barrel just behind the serial number is 8.82. What is this??

08-09-2001, 05:16 PM

The holster is a mismatch, 2 years seperate it from the gun date of manufacture, so it was either a field replacement, or a GI swap. The 8.82 is the caliber, i.e. 9mm. Sounds like a nice piece, congrats!

08-09-2001, 05:35 PM

I know that we had a thread on this holster deal, but I feel compelled to respond. First, there is no such animal as a "matching holster" except in the case of the serial numbered police versions and the very early Third Reich Army types (1934-35) and these only were numbered in some instances. I know what the "books" say and what the collectors may think, but it nevertheless is a fact that many Lugers (and every other type of weapon) were not issued for a long time after they arrived at depots...there is documented examples of un-issued pre-war Lugers that were found still crated in 45-and later! I would bet and it would be impossible to say otherwise that this gentleman's rig (mags maybe/maybe not) was used just as it is. This same year or one year off holster theory has no factual basis and like many other notions has been repeated to the point that too many folks are starting to believe it! By the way that sounds like a nice outfit.

Johnny Peppers · 08-09-2001, 07:28 PM

The 8.82 is the barrel gage number. Until 1942 all the P08's had the actual land diameter gaged and marked on the bottom of the barrel. They will typically run from 8.81 to 8.85.

Dok · 08-09-2001, 07:46 PM

of the lands, not the grooves. (Just to be complete)

Johnny Peppers · 08-09-2001, 09:12 PM

Thought I did say land diameter. Have you already been into the meade?

MikeP · 08-09-2001, 10:03 PM

I tend to agree on the concept of being thrown a random holster out of a bin for issue, but I wonder where that matching magazine was all that time. Anyone who has bothered to serve any of his military obligation will be familiar with some of the haphazard and arbitrary practices encountered within.

08-10-2001, 08:58 AM

Dok · 08-10-2001, 09:51 AM

08-10-2001, 12:13 PM

The total concept of a rig just makes me sick. Anyone that thinks a 41 byf, was issued a 41 holster is wrong. Any holster could have been issued with that pistol. Rigs are just a way to increase the price of a sale. Some dealer probably came up with the scheme, just as they did with a "Black Widow or Gestapo" byf Luger. Anyway that's my 2 cents worth.

Johnny Peppers · 08-10-2001, 03:22 PM

One of the most beautiful matching rigs that I have ever seen was bought by a young friend of mine while he was still in law school. The rig was bought from the veteran that brought it back. The pistol is a 98/99% 1938 S/42 in a cordovan colored 1938 dated holster with two matching numbered magazines and correctly proofed tool. He gave $500 for the rig and has turned down a firm offer of $3500 by an advanced collector. How do you suppose this rig could have been put together in 1945?

ViggoG · 08-12-2001, 02:24 AM

That this vet just happened upon one of those ultra precise German Officers who just had to have everything perfect and in proper order ?? Who would drive a poor supply officer nuts .

ViggoG

Johnny Peppers · 08-12-2001, 08:38 AM

I doubt that a supply officer had anything to do with how the pistol was maintained after 1938.

08-09-2001, 05:04 PM	#1
Randy Price Guest Posts: n/a	Bought 1st. P08 & have questions. I was at a local gunstore yesterday and purchased a P 08 that had just been sold to the gunsmith (a friend of mine). The aging vet that sold it had no need for it anymore. It is a 1938 S/42 all matching (except the 2 magazines)pistol in 95-98% original bluing. The Serial Number is 16xx m. It came with its original holster (I'm assuming). The holster is brown and says on the back KIMNACH U BRUNN KAISERLAUTERN 1940 WaA416. Inside the holster is a tool. The bore is in excellent condition on the gun. I paid $ 700.00 for the gun and two hours later while visiting another gunshop, that gunshop owner offered me $ 1,000.00 for it. I declined. Any info. appreciated. OBTW, on the barrel just behind the serial number is 8.82. What is this??

08-09-2001, 05:16 PM	#2
Hannah Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Bought 1st. P08 & have questions. The holster is a mismatch, 2 years seperate it from the gun date of manufacture, so it was either a field replacement, or a GI swap. The 8.82 is the caliber, i.e. 9mm. Sounds like a nice piece, congrats!

08-09-2001, 05:35 PM	#3
BCC Guest Posts: n/a	I Disagree I know that we had a thread on this holster deal, but I feel compelled to respond. First, there is no such animal as a "matching holster" except in the case of the serial numbered police versions and the very early Third Reich Army types (1934-35) and these only were numbered in some instances. I know what the "books" say and what the collectors may think, but it nevertheless is a fact that many Lugers (and every other type of weapon) were not issued for a long time after they arrived at depots...there is documented examples of un-issued pre-war Lugers that were found still crated in 45-and later! I would bet and it would be impossible to say otherwise that this gentleman's rig (mags maybe/maybe not) was used just as it is. This same year or one year off holster theory has no factual basis and like many other notions has been repeated to the point that too many folks are starting to believe it! By the way that sounds like a nice outfit.

08-09-2001, 07:28 PM	#4
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Bought 1st. P08 & have questions. The 8.82 is the barrel gage number. Until 1942 all the P08's had the actual land diameter gaged and marked on the bottom of the barrel. They will typically run from 8.81 to 8.85.

08-09-2001, 07:46 PM	#5
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	And the 8.82 is the diameter... of the lands, not the grooves. (Just to be complete)

08-09-2001, 09:12 PM	#6
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: And the 8.82 is the diameter... Thought I did say land diameter. Have you already been into the meade?

08-09-2001, 10:03 PM	#7
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Re: I Disagree I tend to agree on the concept of being thrown a random holster out of a bin for issue, but I wonder where that matching magazine was all that time. Anyone who has bothered to serve any of his military obligation will be familiar with some of the haphazard and arbitrary practices encountered within.

08-10-2001, 08:58 AM	#8
Randy Price Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks everyone for the info.!!! Randy (EOM)

08-10-2001, 09:51 AM	#9
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Yew, ish sho right, shorry (hic!) (EOM)

08-10-2001, 12:13 PM	#10
Zeus Guest Posts: n/a	I Agree The total concept of a rig just makes me sick. Anyone that thinks a 41 byf, was issued a 41 holster is wrong. Any holster could have been issued with that pistol. Rigs are just a way to increase the price of a sale. Some dealer probably came up with the scheme, just as they did with a "Black Widow or Gestapo" byf Luger. Anyway that's my 2 cents worth.

08-10-2001, 03:22 PM	#11
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Not necessarily so One of the most beautiful matching rigs that I have ever seen was bought by a young friend of mine while he was still in law school. The rig was bought from the veteran that brought it back. The pistol is a 98/99% 1938 S/42 in a cordovan colored 1938 dated holster with two matching numbered magazines and correctly proofed tool. He gave $500 for the rig and has turned down a firm offer of $3500 by an advanced collector. How do you suppose this rig could have been put together in 1945?

08-12-2001, 02:24 AM	#12
ViggoG RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South Side Virginia Posts: 534 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Could it be ? That this vet just happened upon one of those ultra precise German Officers who just had to have everything perfect and in proper order ?? Who would drive a poor supply officer nuts . ViggoG

08-12-2001, 08:38 AM	#13
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Could it be ? I doubt that a supply officer had anything to do with how the pistol was maintained after 1938.