New Luger, not so new member

zemian · 02-15-2015, 08:43 AM

Well, I've been lurking around here for some years now, gathering info and pictures, while trying to locate a good pistol in the used market that could be shot at the range without too much problems.
And at the end of december at last I managed to purchase my first Luger, a handgun I have always put on the top of my list.

So it is time to come out of the dark and show you my prize

It is a genuine Mauser, but it is one of several others that has been acquired by Frankonia on the surplus market in the late '90s, then refinished and distributed in Europe by Mauser itself.
I think that was done to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the adoption by the german Heer, but since Mauser had ceased production some years earlier they had to resort to used specimens. I even know of at least a DWM Luger being so refurbished by them...

It is marked with the modern civilian proof marks eagle-N under the barrel and under the side plate, but for the life of me I cannot understand how they made the original proof markings on the right barrel receiver to disappear!!!

My pistol had been rebarreled in 9x21 IMI just for the italian market (9 Parabellum being prohibited to civilians

).

I've immediately changed the crappy aftermarket grips with a pair of excellent Nills, and painted in white the Gesichert letters on the frame.

I've also purchased a couple of new Mec-Gar magazines, the latest kind with plastic follower, that I am currently converting to accept aluminum bases. They are somewhat easier to disassemble than the previous model (if you manage to drift out the base pins using as little force as possible), but watch out for straightness of the main body: mines were a little warped out of the box.
However I was able to correct any problem and now the followers run up-down very smoothly.

alvin · 02-15-2015, 09:32 AM

Done by Mauser? Mauser's restoration capability could not compare with American professionals

Understandably, that's not Mauser's main business anyway.

zemian · 02-15-2015, 09:40 AM

Hello Alvin,

I have not made it clear, my fault: it was only distributed by Mauser, but Frankonia did (or outsourced) all the refinishing work.

mrerick · 02-15-2015, 10:45 AM

Alberto,

Congratulations! What a beautiful Luger. The metallurgy and precision fit of these Mauser Lugers is outstanding, probably my preference over all except the Swiss.

Does this one have the Mauser factory engraving on the grip strap?

Marc

zemian · 02-15-2015, 11:14 AM

Hello Marc,

strangely it has not the Mauser Werke script on the front strap, as is usually found on these revamped pistols.
It is unusual, as it so lacks any clear info about the manufacturer, but of course we aficionados know the meaning of the S/42 code...

tomaustin · 02-15-2015, 11:57 AM

so you are a "luger stalker" ??

rhuff · 02-15-2015, 03:37 PM

You have purchased a very nice looking Luger with an interesting history. This is a new one to me, but the P08 has so many stories to tell. I like the Nill grips that you installed.....they look very much at home on this Luger. Do you plan to shoot it?

zemian · 02-15-2015, 04:44 PM

I plan to take it to the range as soon as the weather here turns a little warmer, maybe in a month or two. Cant' wait

Edward Tinker · 02-15-2015, 05:32 PM

These are fairly rare and discussed in Vlim and Mauro's book.

This refinished bright blue is what I have seen in the books and to be expected.

A great find, congrats!

Geo99 · 02-17-2015, 02:14 AM

That's the prettiest shooter Luger I've ever seen!

alvin · 02-17-2015, 07:41 AM

Curious, how much is this one in Italy gun market?

sheepherder · 02-17-2015, 09:19 AM

Alberto, I agree with the others about the beauty of the workmanship/finish, but I am curious...

You state "rebarreled to 9x21 IMI"...The finish on the barrel looks the same as the rest of the pistol...Are you sure it was not re-chambered to 9x21 IMI???

When the caliber is changed, is the barrel/chamber marked/stamped with the 'new' caliber???

DavidJayUden · 02-17-2015, 10:05 AM

Wouldn't a 9x21 conversion be done with a simple reamer to lengthen the chamber?
dju

sheepherder · 02-17-2015, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

Wouldn't a 9x21 conversion be done with a simple reamer to lengthen the chamber?
dju

That's how I would do it. Perhaps 'Berto was speaking metaphorically.

Or it could be another stupid politicians vote-grab legislation like we have in New York, California, Canada, and Wash DC!!!

The 9x21 retains the same OAL as the 9x19 so a new barrel is really unwarranted.

Curss · 02-17-2015, 12:19 PM

WOW, that's a beautiful finish! Very pretty looking gun!

zemian · 02-18-2015, 05:21 AM

Hello again,
sorry for the delay.

To answer Alvin: I payed it 1300 Euros (almost 1500 US$). It is a somewhat high-ish price for a pre-owned gun, but it is in pretty good shape.
When these guns were distributed by Bignami (italian importer of Mauser) in the late '90s they were sold for 1340 Euros in gunshops...

To answer sheeperder: I am fairly sure that the barrel is of modern manufacture. It lacks any old time proof mark and also the witness mark to align it to the frame. It is only proofed with an eagle-N on the underside and marked with the caliber on the upperside. Front sight base also lacks a witness mark.

More importantly, I have taken a sulfur mold of the chamber-throat-bore, and it shows the classic dimensions of a modern, "tight" 9mm bore: groove diameter is .3553 and bore diameter is .3463. Original barrels should have somewhat larger dimensions, from what I understand from the original specs.

The gun has been totally refinished in a high luster blue, hence the barrel perfectly matches the rest.
Maybe the old barrel was pitted or rusted... as a matter of fact some little pit signs are visible in the rear frame ears area.

02-15-2015, 08:43 AM	#1
zemian User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	New Luger, not so new member Well, I've been lurking around here for some years now, gathering info and pictures, while trying to locate a good pistol in the used market that could be shot at the range without too much problems. And at the end of december at last I managed to purchase my first Luger, a handgun I have always put on the top of my list. So it is time to come out of the dark and show you my prize It is a genuine Mauser, but it is one of several others that has been acquired by Frankonia on the surplus market in the late '90s, then refinished and distributed in Europe by Mauser itself. I think that was done to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the adoption by the german Heer, but since Mauser had ceased production some years earlier they had to resort to used specimens. I even know of at least a DWM Luger being so refurbished by them... It is marked with the modern civilian proof marks eagle-N under the barrel and under the side plate, but for the life of me I cannot understand how they made the original proof markings on the right barrel receiver to disappear!!! My pistol had been rebarreled in 9x21 IMI just for the italian market (9 Parabellum being prohibited to civilians ). I've immediately changed the crappy aftermarket grips with a pair of excellent Nills, and painted in white the Gesichert letters on the frame. I've also purchased a couple of new Mec-Gar magazines, the latest kind with plastic follower, that I am currently converting to accept aluminum bases. They are somewhat easier to disassemble than the previous model (if you manage to drift out the base pins using as little force as possible), but watch out for straightness of the main body: mines were a little warped out of the box. However I was able to correct any problem and now the followers run up-down very smoothly.

02-15-2015, 10:45 AM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,919 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Alberto, Congratulations! What a beautiful Luger. The metallurgy and precision fit of these Mauser Lugers is outstanding, probably my preference over all except the Swiss. Does this one have the Mauser factory engraving on the grip strap? Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

02-15-2015, 05:32 PM	#9
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,961 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	These are fairly rare and discussed in Vlim and Mauro's book. This refinished bright blue is what I have seen in the books and to be expected. A great find, congrats! __________________ 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

02-17-2015, 02:14 AM	#10
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 400 Thanks: 102 Thanked 127 Times in 75 Posts	That's the prettiest shooter Luger I've ever seen! __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

02-17-2015, 09:19 AM	#12
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,195 Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	Alberto, I agree with the others about the beauty of the workmanship/finish, but I am curious... You state "rebarreled to 9x21 IMI"...The finish on the barrel looks the same as the rest of the pistol...Are you sure it was not re-chambered to 9x21 IMI??? When the caliber is changed, is the barrel/chamber marked/stamped with the 'new' caliber??? __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

02-15-2015, 09:32 AM	#2
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Done by Mauser? Mauser's restoration capability could not compare with American professionals Understandably, that's not Mauser's main business anyway.

02-15-2015, 09:40 AM	#3
zemian User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Hello Alvin, I have not made it clear, my fault: it was only distributed by Mauser, but Frankonia did (or outsourced) all the refinishing work.

02-15-2015, 11:14 AM	#5
zemian User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Hello Marc, strangely it has not the Mauser Werke script on the front strap, as is usually found on these revamped pistols. It is unusual, as it so lacks any clear info about the manufacturer, but of course we aficionados know the meaning of the S/42 code...

02-15-2015, 11:57 AM	#6
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	so you are a "luger stalker" ??

02-15-2015, 03:37 PM	#7
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,305 Thanks: 2,735 Thanked 991 Times in 727 Posts	You have purchased a very nice looking Luger with an interesting history. This is a new one to me, but the P08 has so many stories to tell. I like the Nill grips that you installed.....they look very much at home on this Luger. Do you plan to shoot it?

02-15-2015, 04:44 PM	#8
zemian User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	I plan to take it to the range as soon as the weather here turns a little warmer, maybe in a month or two. Cant' wait

02-17-2015, 07:41 AM	#11
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Curious, how much is this one in Italy gun market?

02-17-2015, 10:05 AM	#13
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Wouldn't a 9x21 conversion be done with a simple reamer to lengthen the chamber? dju

02-17-2015, 12:19 PM	#15
Curss User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 307 Thanks: 304 Thanked 98 Times in 75 Posts	WOW, that's a beautiful finish! Very pretty looking gun! __________________ -Chris

02-18-2015, 05:21 AM	#16
zemian User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Hello again, sorry for the delay. To answer Alvin: I payed it 1300 Euros (almost 1500 US$). It is a somewhat high-ish price for a pre-owned gun, but it is in pretty good shape. When these guns were distributed by Bignami (italian importer of Mauser) in the late '90s they were sold for 1340 Euros in gunshops... To answer sheeperder: I am fairly sure that the barrel is of modern manufacture. It lacks any old time proof mark and also the witness mark to align it to the frame. It is only proofed with an eagle-N on the underside and marked with the caliber on the upperside. Front sight base also lacks a witness mark. More importantly, I have taken a sulfur mold of the chamber-throat-bore, and it shows the classic dimensions of a modern, "tight" 9mm bore: groove diameter is .3553 and bore diameter is .3463. Original barrels should have somewhat larger dimensions, from what I understand from the original specs. The gun has been totally refinished in a high luster blue, hence the barrel perfectly matches the rest. Maybe the old barrel was pitted or rusted... as a matter of fact some little pit signs are visible in the rear frame ears area.