Well I jumped in and its wonderful!

John1125 · 02-14-2017, 09:06 PM

'Thanks guys , I was blown away by the condition of the bore and overall . It is just hard to really tell from pictures as I bought this gun from a dealer online . I was able to speak to a salesman who had the gun in hand which was helpful.

I have been reading the FAQ's and other info as I get time. I was also confused a bit about some of the 37 models having straw parts and others not . I have been told and read about the change in the bluing process and just when that exactly happened .

I was told this would have been a late model 37 . I do plan on shooting this Luger some .

Kirk

guns3545 · 02-14-2017, 10:50 PM

Kirk,

In 1937, Mauser undertook several cost reduction and work simplification projects. No functionality of the P.08 was changed and so, as far as Mauser and the Military was concerned, each model P.08 was functionally identical.

However several changes occurred in 1937. One of them has been discussed; the change from Rust Bluing to Salt Bluing. Primarily a pure cost reduction operation to eliminate labor. Like any other change it was phased in as a new bluing line had to be built and tested while the existing line produced P.08s.

Therefore early pistols were rust blued, then for a couple of months, both rust blued and salt blued pistols were produced. Finally in April/May, the vast majority of production was Salt Blued although some rust blued pistols are found later in the year.

If you tell us the suffix letter below the serial number on the front of the frame we can tell you approximately when your P.08 was made.

But there were other changes of interest to collectors as 1937 was a transition year of the Mauser Hump. That little bulge you see on the rear of the receiver.

There was also a transition in the inspector stamps from Droop Eagle which is seen on your pistol to Stick Eagle found later.

So, next step, let us have the suffix, the scriptic letter found under the serial number on the front of the frame and we can take the history of the gun a step further.

Hope this helps.

John

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02-14-2017, 09:06 PM	#1
John1125 User Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 37 Thanks: 3 Thanked 30 Times in 9 Posts	'Thanks guys , I was blown away by the condition of the bore and overall . It is just hard to really tell from pictures as I bought this gun from a dealer online . I was able to speak to a salesman who had the gun in hand which was helpful. I have been reading the FAQ's and other info as I get time. I was also confused a bit about some of the 37 models having straw parts and others not . I have been told and read about the change in the bluing process and just when that exactly happened . I was told this would have been a late model 37 . I do plan on shooting this Luger some . Kirk

02-14-2017, 10:50 PM	#2
guns3545 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 438 Thanks: 661 Thanked 493 Times in 219 Posts	Kirk, In 1937, Mauser undertook several cost reduction and work simplification projects. No functionality of the P.08 was changed and so, as far as Mauser and the Military was concerned, each model P.08 was functionally identical. However several changes occurred in 1937. One of them has been discussed; the change from Rust Bluing to Salt Bluing. Primarily a pure cost reduction operation to eliminate labor. Like any other change it was phased in as a new bluing line had to be built and tested while the existing line produced P.08s. Therefore early pistols were rust blued, then for a couple of months, both rust blued and salt blued pistols were produced. Finally in April/May, the vast majority of production was Salt Blued although some rust blued pistols are found later in the year. If you tell us the suffix letter below the serial number on the front of the frame we can tell you approximately when your P.08 was made. But there were other changes of interest to collectors as 1937 was a transition year of the Mauser Hump. That little bulge you see on the rear of the receiver. There was also a transition in the inspector stamps from Droop Eagle which is seen on your pistol to Stick Eagle found later. So, next step, let us have the suffix, the scriptic letter found under the serial number on the front of the frame and we can take the history of the gun a step further. Hope this helps. John