Newbie question

guns3545 · 11-01-2013, 10:26 AM

Firstly, welcome to the Forum.

1. The P.08 that you see on the side of some frames is a model number. With the introduction of the P.38 as the standard German sidearm, the P.08 was added to Mauser made Lugers (P.08) delivered during and after the 41/42 manufacturing code. I.e. started marking the P.08 in early 1941. This extended to the gun, holsters and some tools and was done to avoid confusion or mix-ups with the P.38 and its accessories. Therefore you do not see this mark on earlier P.08 pistols and never on P.08 pistols made by Krieghoff. A minor point: You will see some 1940 dated holsters with an ink stamped P.08 so evidently they did go back and mark some existing inventory with the P.08.

FYI, Mauser made both P.08s and P.38s.

2. I suspect that the diamond shaped thing you see is actually the end of the safety bar. When the gun is in the SAFE position the lever is pushed up and hence visible. When the gun is in the fire position, it is retracted and hence not visible.

It only affects the function and value of the gun when it is missing.

Hope this helps.

John

11-01-2013, 10:26 AM	#2
guns3545 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 438 Thanks: 661 Thanked 493 Times in 219 Posts	Firstly, welcome to the Forum. 1. The P.08 that you see on the side of some frames is a model number. With the introduction of the P.38 as the standard German sidearm, the P.08 was added to Mauser made Lugers (P.08) delivered during and after the 41/42 manufacturing code. I.e. started marking the P.08 in early 1941. This extended to the gun, holsters and some tools and was done to avoid confusion or mix-ups with the P.38 and its accessories. Therefore you do not see this mark on earlier P.08 pistols and never on P.08 pistols made by Krieghoff. A minor point: You will see some 1940 dated holsters with an ink stamped P.08 so evidently they did go back and mark some existing inventory with the P.08. FYI, Mauser made both P.08s and P.38s. 2. I suspect that the diamond shaped thing you see is actually the end of the safety bar. When the gun is in the SAFE position the lever is pushed up and hence visible. When the gun is in the fire position, it is retracted and hence not visible. It only affects the function and value of the gun when it is missing. Hope this helps. John