VoPo Serial number question

www.prussia.us · 01-11-2013, 04:14 PM

I gather there were some variations in the VoPo refurb process, is it possible for a VoPo sunburst-marked Luger to be mismatched and not bear the scars of being forced matched?

The bluing has the classic DDR look, all uniform to the Luger, but the upper serial numbers do not have any of the careful strikes and renumbering usually seen by me on DDR refurbs.

I know we have more speculation than certainty with this stuff but I value your experience/knowledge...THANKS

Schupo · 01-12-2013, 10:28 AM

Without photos of the pistol in question I would suspect that the P.08 is possibly a "Frankenstein" that consists of one or two Volkspolizei marked parts. The VP Armory in Suhl was very careful when they refurbished firearms for the police. They forced matched parts, fitted new parts as needed, and gaged and fit the parts to proper tolerances. Some retailers, not Volkspolizei armorers, also put parts together to make pistols.

Proper VP pistols that I have seen have been well fitted mechanically with predictable force matching of old and new DDR manufactured parts. I hope this is helpful.

01-11-2013, 04:14 PM	#1
www.prussia.us User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NY Posts: 40 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	VoPo Serial number question I gather there were some variations in the VoPo refurb process, is it possible for a VoPo sunburst-marked Luger to be mismatched and not bear the scars of being forced matched? The bluing has the classic DDR look, all uniform to the Luger, but the upper serial numbers do not have any of the careful strikes and renumbering usually seen by me on DDR refurbs. I know we have more speculation than certainty with this stuff but I value your experience/knowledge...THANKS

01-12-2013, 10:28 AM	#2
Schupo User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kansas City Metro Posts: 206 Thanks: 1 Thanked 102 Times in 47 Posts	Without photos of the pistol in question I would suspect that the P.08 is possibly a "Frankenstein" that consists of one or two Volkspolizei marked parts. The VP Armory in Suhl was very careful when they refurbished firearms for the police. They forced matched parts, fitted new parts as needed, and gaged and fit the parts to proper tolerances. Some retailers, not Volkspolizei armorers, also put parts together to make pistols. Proper VP pistols that I have seen have been well fitted mechanically with predictable force matching of old and new DDR manufactured parts. I hope this is helpful. __________________ "You can't please everyone, so you have got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson