Is this really a VOPO

Andyd · 11-03-2012, 08:28 AM

There are differences in Vopo P.08 pistols. If they were Russian captured they had the X mark. Not all Vopo 08 that I saw were Russian Xed. Guns were floating around in post war Germany and found in numbers in the old bunkers were they had been dropped, even in basement or attics.

The Russians took the pistols apart and reworked and renumbered them from the mix of parts. East German armourers did it a little different but all pistols that I saw that served in the Deutsch Demokratische Republik, either for the Volkspolizei or later given to the worker's brigades had the sunburst under the take down lever for the sideplate.

Many shot out barrels were replaced with Czechoslovakian barrels and proofed Crown N.

Many numbers were x'ed out and restamped, the extractor usually only etched out.

If the grips were serviceable, they kept them on the guns, otherwise they got replacement grips made of bakelite, usually with the bullseye in it.

A Germany Vopo Luger collector told me, that the police pistols were re-dipped when it deemed necessary.

Many parts were made new, the newly produced take down lever is not round as you can see on the gun in the center.

All three are Vopo pistols - and great shooters!

11-03-2012, 08:28 AM	#23
Andyd User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Kaufman County, Texas Posts: 48 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There are differences in Vopo P.08 pistols. If they were Russian captured they had the X mark. Not all Vopo 08 that I saw were Russian Xed. Guns were floating around in post war Germany and found in numbers in the old bunkers were they had been dropped, even in basement or attics. The Russians took the pistols apart and reworked and renumbered them from the mix of parts. East German armourers did it a little different but all pistols that I saw that served in the Deutsch Demokratische Republik, either for the Volkspolizei or later given to the worker's brigades had the sunburst under the take down lever for the sideplate. Many shot out barrels were replaced with Czechoslovakian barrels and proofed Crown N. Many numbers were x'ed out and restamped, the extractor usually only etched out. If the grips were serviceable, they kept them on the guns, otherwise they got replacement grips made of bakelite, usually with the bullseye in it. A Germany Vopo Luger collector told me, that the police pistols were re-dipped when it deemed necessary. Many parts were made new, the newly produced take down lever is not round as you can see on the gun in the center. All three are Vopo pistols - and great shooters!