What can the experts tell me about this Luger?

[Claven2]

Hmm... I thought the M/08 Lugers were only the ones with the standard 4" barrel? This Luger has a 4,3/4" barrel. I know the M23 contract Lugers were originally in .30 Luger, but from what I've seen/heard, at some point, the decision was made that all Lugers going through refurb from this point onward (not sure when) are going to become 9mm's, and that's when these longer barrels were used - supposedly so that they would better approximate the feel of the Lahti pistols then comming into service.

Do you know the exact progression here? M/23, then M/08's and M/23's concurrently, then the long barelled 9mm's?

Originally posted by Alsky
The Finnish model designation for your pistol ( 9mm ) is M/08. The Finnsih Lugers chambered in the original 30 cal and designated M23. The grips that the Luger is wearing are standard Finnish replacements. Nice piece of history.