New shooter

Papahound · 04-16-2015, 09:49 PM

Picked up a shooter at a gun show here in NC last weekend . It is a 1939 - 42 marked PO8 . The numbers don't match and the finish is rough - just a basic shooter ! It does have a nice mag that has a waffenampt mark over the number 37 and fxo above that the mag is also stamped PO8 . I was told it was a Russian capture due to a X stamped on the left side . I was able to talk the guy down to $550 maybe a bit too much - I'll have some fun shooting her . My cell phone pics are not the best - my apologies !

Papahound · 04-16-2015, 09:50 PM

Another pic

Papahound · 04-16-2015, 09:51 PM

And another pic

Ron Wood · 04-16-2015, 11:25 PM

Looks like a fairly decent gun for $550. Hope it shoots well!

Edward Tinker · 04-16-2015, 11:31 PM

I agree, but than any Luger is a good thing

Sergio Natali · 04-17-2015, 03:51 AM

Chris

Congratulations on your Luger it's quite a nice gun.

As I usually say to people that buy old guns to use at the range, have it properly checked first by a serious gunsmith, and as an additional warning all of these old Lugers should never be fired with modern high speed and high power ammunition because they may be structurally unsound.
Shoot safe.

rhuff · 04-17-2015, 02:38 PM

Looks like a good deal to me if it checks out good and functions reliably. I would most likely made that deal if it were offered to me, as I enjoy shooting P08s.

sheepherder · 04-17-2015, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhuff

Looks like a good deal to me...

Sounds like a great deal to me, regardless. There is more than $550 in parts there. In addition, if it is a VoPo/RC, it has been examined & suspect/out of spec parts replaced by East German armorers/original factory workers (who likely were captured and allowed to work in the weapon repair effort).

How's the bore look???

K.Wilhelm · 04-17-2015, 06:37 PM

Assuming it's complete and functional you can't go wrong for that price! Bill

Mac Cat · 04-19-2015, 09:56 AM

Good find ! I'd buy it for that price.

mrerick · 04-19-2015, 12:01 PM

Hi, and welcome to the forum from the Raleigh and Wilmington areas.

Some of the Lugers from 1939 had very thin salt blued finishes. This might have been one of them. The large "X" behind the serial number numeric digits on the left side of the receiver ahead of the trigger plate would indicate it was a Russian capture. It's also possible it was dip refinished, and then someone removed that finish.

Here's a picture of my 1939 with the thin finish for comparison to the appearance of your Luger (Note, I have since replaced the incorrect bakelite grips with proper unnumbered wooden ones...):

Marc

Papahound · 04-19-2015, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the compliments on my new old toy gentlemen ! The dealer had a few to choose from and I really liked the been there - done that look of this one . Most collectors would pass on a Russian capture pistol but to me that is just part of the history that gives it character ! He was asking $625 to start with - I tried to get it for $500 but he wouldn't go that low . Took her out back and shot 3 rounds into a milk jug at close range and she functioned flawless - very pleased !! Looking forward to learning more about theses interesting pistols . Already looking forward to my next one !

Curss · 04-19-2015, 06:16 PM

Nothing beats a good ol' shooter Luger!

Gary1911A1 · 04-20-2015, 11:14 AM

If you change your mind, I'd buy it off you.

04-16-2015, 09:49 PM	#1
Papahound User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	New shooter Picked up a shooter at a gun show here in NC last weekend . It is a 1939 - 42 marked PO8 . The numbers don't match and the finish is rough - just a basic shooter ! It does have a nice mag that has a waffenampt mark over the number 37 and fxo above that the mag is also stamped PO8 . I was told it was a Russian capture due to a X stamped on the left side . I was able to talk the guy down to $550 maybe a bit too much - I'll have some fun shooting her . My cell phone pics are not the best - my apologies ! Attached Thumbnails

04-16-2015, 09:50 PM	#2
Papahound User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Another pic Attached Thumbnails

04-16-2015, 09:51 PM	#3
Papahound User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	And another pic Attached Thumbnails

04-16-2015, 11:25 PM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,017 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 5,164 Times in 1,700 Posts	Looks like a fairly decent gun for $550. Hope it shoots well! __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-16-2015, 11:31 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	I agree, but than any Luger is a good thing __________________ 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

04-17-2015, 03:51 AM	#6
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Chris Congratulations on your Luger it's quite a nice gun. As I usually say to people that buy old guns to use at the range, have it properly checked first by a serious gunsmith, and as an additional warning all of these old Lugers should never be fired with modern high speed and high power ammunition because they may be structurally unsound. Shoot safe. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

04-17-2015, 02:38 PM	#7
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,289 Thanks: 2,704 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	Looks like a good deal to me if it checks out good and functions reliably. I would most likely made that deal if it were offered to me, as I enjoy shooting P08s.

04-17-2015, 06:37 PM	#9
K.Wilhelm User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Central Colorado Posts: 215 Thanks: 45 Thanked 109 Times in 66 Posts	Assuming it's complete and functional you can't go wrong for that price! Bill __________________ NRA Endowment Life member Proud veteran of the Naval Security Group

04-19-2015, 09:56 AM	#10
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 718 Thanks: 2,081 Thanked 598 Times in 322 Posts	Good find ! I'd buy it for that price.

04-19-2015, 12:01 PM	#11
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	Hi, and welcome to the forum from the Raleigh and Wilmington areas. Some of the Lugers from 1939 had very thin salt blued finishes. This might have been one of them. The large "X" behind the serial number numeric digits on the left side of the receiver ahead of the trigger plate would indicate it was a Russian capture. It's also possible it was dip refinished, and then someone removed that finish. Here's a picture of my 1939 with the thin finish for comparison to the appearance of your Luger (Note, I have since replaced the incorrect bakelite grips with proper unnumbered wooden ones...): Marc Attached Thumbnails __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

04-19-2015, 04:12 PM	#12
Papahound User Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the compliments on my new old toy gentlemen ! The dealer had a few to choose from and I really liked the been there - done that look of this one . Most collectors would pass on a Russian capture pistol but to me that is just part of the history that gives it character ! He was asking $625 to start with - I tried to get it for $500 but he wouldn't go that low . Took her out back and shot 3 rounds into a milk jug at close range and she functioned flawless - very pleased !! Looking forward to learning more about theses interesting pistols . Already looking forward to my next one !

04-19-2015, 06:16 PM	#13
Curss User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 303 Thanks: 304 Thanked 98 Times in 75 Posts	Nothing beats a good ol' shooter Luger! __________________ -Chris

04-20-2015, 11:14 AM	#14
Gary1911A1 User Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 11 Thanks: 32 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	If you change your mind, I'd buy it off you.