1937 S/42 Help with ID

Richard · 12-27-2001, 12:29 PM

First time on this forum and it looks like I came to the right place for help in ID'ing my inherited P-08. My father bought the pistol in Oklahoma in the early 50's and we have never done anything to it. The pistol is marked as follows:

1937 on the top of the receiver just behind the barrel, S/42 on the top of the toggle, serial number 26XX on the side of the receiver near the barrel and on the front of the receiver under the barrel, no scripted letter at all with the serial number, all small parts numbered with the matching "XX" number, straw coloring on the extractor (on the top of the toggle), on the ejector (narrow strip of metal on the right side of the receiver), and on the safety block that contacts the toggle when the gun is put into "Geschert" mode. I didn't see any other exterior visible straw coloring. It is mostly bright blue with the appropriate wear on the barrel tip and side plate, guessing about 80-90% remaining. The checkered wood grips are original with a few scratches/scuff marks. There are only two proof marks on the exterior of the pistol, located next to each other near the front of the frame on the right side (looking from the rear of the pistol toward the front sight). It has a lanyard loop at the rear of the receiver and the backstrap has been groved at the bottom (for a shoulder stock?). The barrel is 4" in length. The proof marks (without a magnifying glass) appear to be some sort of wings over smaller marks that I can't read. The magazine that came with it has an aluminum bottom, but is cracked near the feed lips and I have replaced it with a couple of Stoger stainless mags.

Anyway, does anyone out there have an idea of what I've got. I want to know if it has any special value, because if it does not, I was thinking about taking it to Gary Reeders shop, which is just around the corner from where I live, and have it specially engraved with our family name, refinished, etc., as an heirloom for our family.

Sorry about the longwinded post. I really appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks,

Richard

12-27-2001, 12:29 PM	#1
Richard User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 18 Thanks: 2 Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts	1937 S/42 Help with ID First time on this forum and it looks like I came to the right place for help in ID'ing my inherited P-08. My father bought the pistol in Oklahoma in the early 50's and we have never done anything to it. The pistol is marked as follows: 1937 on the top of the receiver just behind the barrel, S/42 on the top of the toggle, serial number 26XX on the side of the receiver near the barrel and on the front of the receiver under the barrel, no scripted letter at all with the serial number, all small parts numbered with the matching "XX" number, straw coloring on the extractor (on the top of the toggle), on the ejector (narrow strip of metal on the right side of the receiver), and on the safety block that contacts the toggle when the gun is put into "Geschert" mode. I didn't see any other exterior visible straw coloring. It is mostly bright blue with the appropriate wear on the barrel tip and side plate, guessing about 80-90% remaining. The checkered wood grips are original with a few scratches/scuff marks. There are only two proof marks on the exterior of the pistol, located next to each other near the front of the frame on the right side (looking from the rear of the pistol toward the front sight). It has a lanyard loop at the rear of the receiver and the backstrap has been groved at the bottom (for a shoulder stock?). The barrel is 4" in length. The proof marks (without a magnifying glass) appear to be some sort of wings over smaller marks that I can't read. The magazine that came with it has an aluminum bottom, but is cracked near the feed lips and I have replaced it with a couple of Stoger stainless mags. Anyway, does anyone out there have an idea of what I've got. I want to know if it has any special value, because if it does not, I was thinking about taking it to Gary Reeders shop, which is just around the corner from where I live, and have it specially engraved with our family name, refinished, etc., as an heirloom for our family. Sorry about the longwinded post. I really appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks, Richard