Your Favorite P-08 Luger

Krieger89 · 08-07-2003, 02:00 PM

Would Like to know every ones favorites to find out the most popular my personal favorite is the black widow.

Thor · 08-07-2003, 04:01 PM

First Variation K Date S/42 Mauser

Doug G. · 08-07-2003, 04:22 PM

My favorite Lugers are the Imperial's. Particularly the 1900 and 1906 commercials. Incredible fit and finish, no others can compare IMHO! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Big Norm · 08-07-2003, 07:47 PM

It hard for me to to decide which of my small collection of Lugers that I like the most. As a collector, I have many which have interesting and fun stories associated with them. As an investor, I have a few whose value has appreciated a lot and that pleases me.

But my favorite has to be a chamber dated 1914 DWM artillery (SN 1339). I have three of these rare artilleries and two of them are beauties with matching mags. But my favorite one is a Wiemar dipped one that I bought with repro grips and no magazine. OK, so its been dipped in typically Wiemar black bluing. But there was no metal removed during the rebluing process. Its all, otherwise, original, metal wise.

The first order of day was to get some good grips on it. First, I got some 'Red Nine' grips for it. That made it look very good. Then I found some 'trench art' grips for it. That made it look even better and said something about that era. Then I searched for a nice magazine for it. I found a neat type one Trommel snail drum magazine. Super cool. Now I have to find THE stock for it.

I have some real nice Lugers. But when I have someone who knows something about Lugers, I whip this gun on them first. Then build up their excitment with the rest of my treasures.
Big Norm

Frank · 08-07-2003, 10:58 PM

My favorite is always the last one I acquired!!

Thor · 08-08-2003, 01:07 AM

That K date you have is pretty sweet though! Aint it Frank?

Navy · 08-08-2003, 04:12 AM

A no brainer..my '04 Navy...or my K-date Navy...or my '06 Naval Zepp rig...sheesh, is this a trick question?
Tom A.

Herb · 08-08-2003, 04:13 AM

My favorite is a 'like new' condition , totally matching with two matching magazines, proper take down tool, and original perfect holster with the toggle stamped SPANDAU and the frame having the correct R/C stamp. Sure wish I had several of em'.

drbuster · 08-08-2003, 05:18 AM

In Herb's shadow, how about a 1910 dated Erfurt, in mint condition, with matching clip and holster. I'd even take it with ONLY one matching clip!

AGE · 08-08-2003, 05:32 AM

I like Tacfoley's answer. My favorite is my '36 Mauser reblued shooter (sorry Ted), all matching with great grips reworked by Hugh. Now that it's broken in, it works 100% on Wallymart ammo for 300+ rounds without cleaning and shoots 1-1.5" groups just a tad high at 25 yards. I wouldn't trade this gun for the rarest non functioning Luger relic (a shooter's viewpoint).

mm · 08-08-2003, 07:32 AM

Byf 41 "Black Widow" Sleek, all-black, beautiful. The last version of the Luger (as issued to German military forces). The then-modern and cost-effective to manufacture Bakelite grips that it was issued with add to anachranism that the gun became.

The Third Reich, hampered by it's idealogy that celebrated the guild, and craftsman manufacturing techniques, contradicted the objective needs of a modern military (thus handicapping it). The P38 was a far superior military handgun - double action, cheaper and easier to manufacture and more reliable in war conditions yet the Reich continued to manufacture the expensive, labor-intensive P08. The Luger is more of a high-end target shooter's firearm than a soldier's sidearm. The K98 rifle is another example of the irrational nostalgia for traditional, out-dated weapons the Germans harbored. What a contradiction: the modern blitzkreig coupled with antiquated and expensive small arms. I am so happy that the Nazis with their hateful ideology made enough errors to lose the war and allow us to collect their stuff and not the other way around. My Black Widow is my favorite because it represents so much of this history to me. MM

Krieger89 · 08-08-2003, 10:15 AM

Seems like theres a varioty of favorites around here.

trigger643 · 08-08-2003, 01:10 PM

My favorite? You mean I can only have just one? I like Third Reich Lugers. I have a byf black widow and a 1938 s/42. I would like to add to my collection a Persian Artillery and one day a 1902 carbine in 9mm and a Thor restoration 1902 in 9mm... But pretty much any luger that isn't rusty, pitted, mismatched or bubba buffed and blued is my favorite. Though some of these pimp guns that have been showing up on this board of late have me wondering if my black widow wouldn't look good with platinum plating, gold accents and mother of pearl grips...

Edward Tinker · 08-08-2003, 06:39 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by trigger643:
Though some of these pimp guns that have been showing up on this board of late have me wondering if my black widow wouldn't look good with platinum plating, gold accents and mother of pearl grips...<hr /></blockquote>Hey if that floats your boat!

yuck, BTW

And if maybe we could see pictures, detailed ones and a bit of history on these favorite guns y'all are so proud of, it'd make my almost week! Cuz, next week, I have the feeling I'll see a couple of guns at the rEno Show!

Ed

Russ · 08-08-2003, 08:45 PM

Early comercial and contract Lugers

Russ <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />

JonS/42 · 08-09-2003, 03:14 AM

My favorite is my 1938 Mauser S/42; it was a WWII Russian capture piece stored for over 50 years in a Soviet arms storage facility in the Ukraine, discovered after the Russian withdrawal. One of 1400 hand-picked by a US importer invited in, it was arsenal-refinished (I'm imagining in the former DDR), import-stamped and brought to the US. All matching parts, except for the grips and magazine. There was a minor dent in the left side of the receiver-an imaginative person would think "battle damage;" the former Army officer in me thinks "PFC with a crowbar." Had many pleasant talks with John Martz about it-I told him my intention was to shoot it in steel plate matches, and wouldn't it be fun to have a 60 year old weapon take on some of the latest high-tech wonders? John gleefully got into the project, and what we decided to do was to have fun, and make a beautiful, highly functional weapon(what Thor would term a "Total Doll Job"), but one where asthetics would be given an upper hand over total historical accuracy. Accordingly, John TOTALLY went through the gun mechanically, removed the dent in the receiver, performed an action job, and made sure that everything was up to snuff. It then went to Charles Danner in Tennessee for a hot rust blueing, small-parts strawing, and charcoal blueing on several other small parts. George Sarkissian hand carved the grips out of English Presentation Circassian walnut, hand checkered English Circassian walnut, with a smooth border in the style of the 1898/99 Borchardt-Luger Transition model. Jerry Burney supplied a reproduction of the German military lanyard, and El Paso Saddlery provided a replica of the holster made for the 1900 US military trials of the Luger, lined to protect the finish (I also have one of the German military reproduction holsters, but prefer the El Paso holster)I have a absolute fun time shooting it in our league steel plate matches; on Wednesday, for example, I successfully campaigned against Kimbers, Glocks, S&W Performance Center revolvers, etc. (and no, I didn't win(held my own for quite a while though), but someday...After several thousand rounds, the only repairs needed have been replacement of the L-shaped spring that retains the take-down lever, and my rear toggle piece developed a hairline crack, so John replaced it out...and that's been about it. Despite some minor inner pitting in the grooves, I decided to keep the original barrel-John gave it a safe bill of health, and the lands are crisp and clean...if it isn't broken, why fix it? Whenever I shoot it, there's a very high level of spectator interest to say the least...especially when I win a heat! For cleaning, I use Hoppe's #9 or Shooter's Choice; for lubrication I use Tetra or FP-10; for awhile, I used Tetra Grease or TW-25B grease on reciprocating parts, but decided that it was generally unnecessary. Okay, now that I've bored everybody....

Johnny C. Kitchens · 08-09-2003, 04:25 AM

You described it to us nicely, but how about some pictures???

PANZERSOLDAT · 08-09-2003, 05:19 AM

My favorite Byf 42 rig in cea42 holster with waa135 tool. I prefer the wood grips.

mauro · 08-09-2003, 02:46 PM

I suggest to have a look at my web site to know what is my favourite Luger!
Ciao

kidvett · 08-09-2003, 04:19 PM

I do have a few favorites, but there is one that is special to me! It was acquired a long time ago, has seen quite some use...and is associated with war stories that issued those to SS Units...

BYF 42 Ser. 4527h BLACK WIDOW

kidvett <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

08-07-2003, 02:00 PM	#1
Krieger89 User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Your Favorite P-08 Luger Would Like to know every ones favorites to find out the most popular my personal favorite is the black widow.

08-07-2003, 04:01 PM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 971 Times in 277 Posts	First Variation K Date S/42 Mauser __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

08-07-2003, 04:22 PM	#3
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	My favorite Lugers are the Imperial's. Particularly the 1900 and 1906 commercials. Incredible fit and finish, no others can compare IMHO! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

08-08-2003, 01:07 AM	#6
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 971 Times in 277 Posts	That K date you have is pretty sweet though! Aint it Frank? __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

08-08-2003, 04:13 AM	#8
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	My favorite is a 'like new' condition , totally matching with two matching magazines, proper take down tool, and original perfect holster with the toggle stamped SPANDAU and the frame having the correct R/C stamp. Sure wish I had several of em'. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

08-07-2003, 07:47 PM	#4
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	It hard for me to to decide which of my small collection of Lugers that I like the most. As a collector, I have many which have interesting and fun stories associated with them. As an investor, I have a few whose value has appreciated a lot and that pleases me. But my favorite has to be a chamber dated 1914 DWM artillery (SN 1339). I have three of these rare artilleries and two of them are beauties with matching mags. But my favorite one is a Wiemar dipped one that I bought with repro grips and no magazine. OK, so its been dipped in typically Wiemar black bluing. But there was no metal removed during the rebluing process. Its all, otherwise, original, metal wise. The first order of day was to get some good grips on it. First, I got some 'Red Nine' grips for it. That made it look very good. Then I found some 'trench art' grips for it. That made it look even better and said something about that era. Then I searched for a nice magazine for it. I found a neat type one Trommel snail drum magazine. Super cool. Now I have to find THE stock for it. I have some real nice Lugers. But when I have someone who knows something about Lugers, I whip this gun on them first. Then build up their excitment with the rest of my treasures. Big Norm

08-07-2003, 10:58 PM	#5
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 164 Times in 87 Posts	My favorite is always the last one I acquired!!

08-08-2003, 04:12 AM	#7
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	A no brainer..my '04 Navy...or my K-date Navy...or my '06 Naval Zepp rig...sheesh, is this a trick question? Tom A.

08-08-2003, 05:18 AM	#9
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	In Herb's shadow, how about a 1910 dated Erfurt, in mint condition, with matching clip and holster. I'd even take it with ONLY one matching clip!

08-08-2003, 05:32 AM	#10
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I like Tacfoley's answer. My favorite is my '36 Mauser reblued shooter (sorry Ted), all matching with great grips reworked by Hugh. Now that it's broken in, it works 100% on Wallymart ammo for 300+ rounds without cleaning and shoots 1-1.5" groups just a tad high at 25 yards. I wouldn't trade this gun for the rarest non functioning Luger relic (a shooter's viewpoint). __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

08-08-2003, 07:32 AM	#11
mm User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SFBAY Posts: 82 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Byf 41 "Black Widow" Sleek, all-black, beautiful. The last version of the Luger (as issued to German military forces). The then-modern and cost-effective to manufacture Bakelite grips that it was issued with add to anachranism that the gun became. The Third Reich, hampered by it's idealogy that celebrated the guild, and craftsman manufacturing techniques, contradicted the objective needs of a modern military (thus handicapping it). The P38 was a far superior military handgun - double action, cheaper and easier to manufacture and more reliable in war conditions yet the Reich continued to manufacture the expensive, labor-intensive P08. The Luger is more of a high-end target shooter's firearm than a soldier's sidearm. The K98 rifle is another example of the irrational nostalgia for traditional, out-dated weapons the Germans harbored. What a contradiction: the modern blitzkreig coupled with antiquated and expensive small arms. I am so happy that the Nazis with their hateful ideology made enough errors to lose the war and allow us to collect their stuff and not the other way around. My Black Widow is my favorite because it represents so much of this history to me. MM __________________ mjm

08-08-2003, 10:15 AM	#12
Krieger89 User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Seems like theres a varioty of favorites around here.

08-08-2003, 01:10 PM	#13
trigger643 User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Murfreesboro Posts: 502 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	My favorite? You mean I can only have just one? I like Third Reich Lugers. I have a byf black widow and a 1938 s/42. I would like to add to my collection a Persian Artillery and one day a 1902 carbine in 9mm and a Thor restoration 1902 in 9mm... But pretty much any luger that isn't rusty, pitted, mismatched or bubba buffed and blued is my favorite. Though some of these pimp guns that have been showing up on this board of late have me wondering if my black widow wouldn't look good with platinum plating, gold accents and mother of pearl grips... __________________ "There are three reasons to own a gun: To protect yourself and your family, to hunt dangerous and delicious animals, and to keep the King of England out of your face." Ã¢?? Krusty the Clown

08-08-2003, 06:39 PM	#14
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,608 Times in 2,123 Posts	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by trigger643: <strong>Though some of these pimp guns that have been showing up on this board of late have me wondering if my black widow wouldn't look good with platinum plating, gold accents and mother of pearl grips...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Hey if that floats your boat! yuck, BTW And if maybe we could see pictures, detailed ones and a bit of history on these favorite guns y'all are so proud of, it'd make my almost week! Cuz, next week, I have the feeling I'll see a couple of guns at the rEno Show! Ed __________________ 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

08-08-2003, 08:45 PM	#15
Russ User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Reading, PA. Posts: 628 Thanks: 2 Thanked 38 Times in 10 Posts	Early comercial and contract Lugers Russ <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" /> __________________ Livin the dream!!!!!!!!!!!

08-09-2003, 03:14 AM	#16
JonS/42 User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Auburn, WA USA Posts: 32 Thanks: 4 Thanked 19 Times in 4 Posts	My favorite is my 1938 Mauser S/42; it was a WWII Russian capture piece stored for over 50 years in a Soviet arms storage facility in the Ukraine, discovered after the Russian withdrawal. One of 1400 hand-picked by a US importer invited in, it was arsenal-refinished (I'm imagining in the former DDR), import-stamped and brought to the US. All matching parts, except for the grips and magazine. There was a minor dent in the left side of the receiver-an imaginative person would think "battle damage;" the former Army officer in me thinks "PFC with a crowbar." Had many pleasant talks with John Martz about it-I told him my intention was to shoot it in steel plate matches, and wouldn't it be fun to have a 60 year old weapon take on some of the latest high-tech wonders? John gleefully got into the project, and what we decided to do was to have fun, and make a beautiful, highly functional weapon(what Thor would term a "Total Doll Job"), but one where asthetics would be given an upper hand over total historical accuracy. Accordingly, John TOTALLY went through the gun mechanically, removed the dent in the receiver, performed an action job, and made sure that everything was up to snuff. It then went to Charles Danner in Tennessee for a hot rust blueing, small-parts strawing, and charcoal blueing on several other small parts. George Sarkissian hand carved the grips out of English Presentation Circassian walnut, hand checkered English Circassian walnut, with a smooth border in the style of the 1898/99 Borchardt-Luger Transition model. Jerry Burney supplied a reproduction of the German military lanyard, and El Paso Saddlery provided a replica of the holster made for the 1900 US military trials of the Luger, lined to protect the finish (I also have one of the German military reproduction holsters, but prefer the El Paso holster)I have a absolute fun time shooting it in our league steel plate matches; on Wednesday, for example, I successfully campaigned against Kimbers, Glocks, S&W Performance Center revolvers, etc. (and no, I didn't win(held my own for quite a while though), but someday...After several thousand rounds, the only repairs needed have been replacement of the L-shaped spring that retains the take-down lever, and my rear toggle piece developed a hairline crack, so John replaced it out...and that's been about it. Despite some minor inner pitting in the grooves, I decided to keep the original barrel-John gave it a safe bill of health, and the lands are crisp and clean...if it isn't broken, why fix it? Whenever I shoot it, there's a very high level of spectator interest to say the least...especially when I win a heat! For cleaning, I use Hoppe's #9 or Shooter's Choice; for lubrication I use Tetra or FP-10; for awhile, I used Tetra Grease or TW-25B grease on reciprocating parts, but decided that it was generally unnecessary. Okay, now that I've bored everybody....

08-09-2003, 04:25 AM	#17
Johnny C. Kitchens User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 518 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	You described it to us nicely, but how about some pictures??? __________________ Johnny C. Kitchens

08-09-2003, 05:19 AM	#18
PANZERSOLDAT User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: CLARKSVILLE, TN Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My favorite Byf 42 rig in cea42 holster with waa135 tool. I prefer the wood grips.

08-09-2003, 02:46 PM	#19
mauro FIREARM HISTORIAN AND AUT Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 106 Thanked 350 Times in 129 Posts	I suggest to have a look at my web site to know what is my favourite Luger! Ciao __________________ Mauro Baudino - www.lugerlp08.com www.paul-mauser-archive.com Mauser Company and Firearm Historian - Mauser Parabellum Certification Service.

08-09-2003, 04:19 PM	#20
kidvett User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I do have a few favorites, but there is one that is special to me! It was acquired a long time ago, has seen quite some use...and is associated with war stories that issued those to SS Units... BYF 42 Ser. 4527h BLACK WIDOW kidvett <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

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