strange P08

Jean-Pierre · 08-16-2016, 02:50 PM

Hi,
Sorry if I do wrong things but I'm very new here.

I want to get an advice about a strange Luger P08 for sale in Belgium.
It seems it is an early DWM gun without nut on the grip. Modified by adding slide lock when empty magazine. Markings on the left side. No indication of the production year.
But what is strange, it is the "door" above the trigger. I never seen such one because the door is open. You v-can see the "trigger pin"

Does anyone have seen this? may be a test gun? or special little manufacturing?

Please, let me know the way to insert pictures from my private pictures stored on my pc ! this means not from any URL.

Best regards

[IMG]c:/ luger 2[/IMG]

John Sabato · 08-16-2016, 03:21 PM

There is a tutorial in the New Collectors forum to teach you how to post photographs.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=23172

Vlim · 08-17-2016, 05:53 AM

Sounds like a first issue P08 with magazine and sear safety modifications with a missing sear safety, exposing the cutout on top of the side plate.

Military P08 that was transferred to the police

Eugen · 08-17-2016, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlim

Sounds like a first issue P08 with magazine and sear safety modifications with a missing sear safety, exposing the cutout on top of the side plate.

Military P08 that was transferred to the police

Wow, I am impressed ...and you did it blind folded, too.

The folks with extensive Luger knowledge on this forum never ceases to amaze me.

Jean-Pierre · 08-18-2016, 12:15 PM

Thank you Vlim for this answer but could you explain me what's the sear safety? I don't understand why the opening in the cover plate. Some people said me that this modification has been made by a stupid do-it-yourself man. But it sounds to me that it is stupid because I'm quite sure the plate has been made so, it is not a modification made after the gun left the Armory.

ADDED FOR HIM

This gun is supposed to be an early made DWM gun, so early that there is no manufacturing year.
All markings are on the left side. On the handle, the ring around the trigger is ''Alter Art" this means old style.
Cover plate is opened.
No nut to transform it into a carbine and the handle has been modified to add the slide safety keeping the slide open when after the last shot.
Hoping this will help you.

Edward Tinker · 08-18-2016, 12:56 PM

pictures and more description ABOVE

sheepherder · 08-18-2016, 01:48 PM

No obvious police modifications but 'window' in sideplate is strange...

alanint · 08-18-2016, 02:38 PM

Could you please show the unit marking that is on the grip strap with a close up photo? This might tells us something.

I have never seen this type of opening in a sideplate before. The sideplate itself has very sharp angles and no slope to the sides of the raised area, which leads me to believe it is shop, not factory made. The reason for the "view port" still escapes me.

Jean-Pierre · 08-18-2016, 03:17 PM

I'm unable to dd new pictures now, the owner is into Holiday in Italy. More, it is written in the advertisement that the markings on the grip are un readable, but I've asked more detailed pictures ... Wait and see !!!!

I thank you all for your help and comments.

John Sabato · 08-18-2016, 03:19 PM

The "window in the sideplate is an accident that is probably the result of an overzealous home gunsmith trying to "improve" the surface of the "bump" which provides a cover for the moving L-shaped trigger lever. Once you make the "hole" there is no way to put the metal back gracefully. A real injustice to an otherwise overall nice condition pistol.

Ron Wood · 08-18-2016, 03:50 PM

First of all, I want to say that is some beautiful photography!

I agree with John S. that the odd side plate is the result of the refinishing of the entire gun. The process of refinishing was pretty well done as most of the contours of the piece have been preserved and not rounded off by over buffing. Also, the original markings have been preserved, even the Erfurt rework stamp for the hold open modification and the First Issue (sagely identified by Vlim

) proofs/acceptance on the left side of the receiver.

The side plate is unnumbered. It is possible that it was so severely pitted that the refinisher removed the number but judging from the contours I suspect that it is a heavily reworked unnumbered replacement. In addition of the thinning of the “bump” to the extent that the transfer bar is exposed, the whole thickness of the side plate is considerably thinner than stock…so much so that the upper left corner is square lacking the radius of a standard 1908 plate and the rear of the plate is almost flush with the frame so that the entire plate looks like it came from a M1900.

An interesting piece.
Ron

Vlim · 08-19-2016, 09:19 AM

I would remove this butchered side plate and replace it with something more suitable.

Since it is first issue, the numbering should be at the bottom of the side plate, if any. If there is no number present, I'd look for a suitable commercial style side plate as a replacement. The gun would certainly look better and be much safer.

Kri 1942 · 08-20-2016, 03:07 AM

Hello Jean-Pierre,

As I told you on the French forum, TCAR, the side plate is not original, which confirms our American friends...

Joël

Bonjour Jean-Pierre,

Comme je vous l'avais dit sur le forum français, TCAR, la plaque latérale n'est pas d'origine, ce que confirme nos amis américains...

Joël

08-16-2016, 02:50 PM	#1
Jean-Pierre User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Charleroi (Belgium) Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	strange P08 Hi, Sorry if I do wrong things but I'm very new here. I want to get an advice about a strange Luger P08 for sale in Belgium. It seems it is an early DWM gun without nut on the grip. Modified by adding slide lock when empty magazine. Markings on the left side. No indication of the production year. But what is strange, it is the "door" above the trigger. I never seen such one because the door is open. You v-can see the "trigger pin" Does anyone have seen this? may be a test gun? or special little manufacturing? Please, let me know the way to insert pictures from my private pictures stored on my pc ! this means not from any URL. Best regards [IMG]c:/ luger 2[/IMG]

08-16-2016, 03:21 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	There is a tutorial in the New Collectors forum to teach you how to post photographs. http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=23172 __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

08-18-2016, 12:15 PM	#5
Jean-Pierre User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Charleroi (Belgium) Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thank you Vlim for this answer but could you explain me what's the sear safety? I don't understand why the opening in the cover plate. Some people said me that this modification has been made by a stupid do-it-yourself man. But it sounds to me that it is stupid because I'm quite sure the plate has been made so, it is not a modification made after the gun left the Armory. ADDED FOR HIM This gun is supposed to be an early made DWM gun, so early that there is no manufacturing year. All markings are on the left side. On the handle, the ring around the trigger is ''Alter Art" this means old style. Cover plate is opened. No nut to transform it into a carbine and the handle has been modified to add the slide safety keeping the slide open when after the last shot. Hoping this will help you. Attached Thumbnails

08-18-2016, 01:48 PM	#7
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	No obvious police modifications but 'window' in sideplate is strange... Attached Images __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

08-18-2016, 03:19 PM	#10
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	The "window in the sideplate is an accident that is probably the result of an overzealous home gunsmith trying to "improve" the surface of the "bump" which provides a cover for the moving L-shaped trigger lever. Once you make the "hole" there is no way to put the metal back gracefully. A real injustice to an otherwise overall nice condition pistol. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

08-17-2016, 05:53 AM	#3
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Sounds like a first issue P08 with magazine and sear safety modifications with a missing sear safety, exposing the cutout on top of the side plate. Military P08 that was transferred to the police

08-18-2016, 12:56 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,932 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,528 Times in 2,091 Posts	pictures and more description ABOVE

08-18-2016, 02:38 PM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Could you please show the unit marking that is on the grip strap with a close up photo? This might tells us something. I have never seen this type of opening in a sideplate before. The sideplate itself has very sharp angles and no slope to the sides of the raised area, which leads me to believe it is shop, not factory made. The reason for the "view port" still escapes me.

08-18-2016, 03:17 PM	#9
Jean-Pierre User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Charleroi (Belgium) Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	I'm unable to dd new pictures now, the owner is into Holiday in Italy. More, it is written in the advertisement that the markings on the grip are un readable, but I've asked more detailed pictures ... Wait and see !!!! I thank you all for your help and comments.

08-18-2016, 03:50 PM	#11
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: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,178 Times in 1,703 Posts	First of all, I want to say that is some beautiful photography! I agree with John S. that the odd side plate is the result of the refinishing of the entire gun. The process of refinishing was pretty well done as most of the contours of the piece have been preserved and not rounded off by over buffing. Also, the original markings have been preserved, even the Erfurt rework stamp for the hold open modification and the First Issue (sagely identified by Vlim ) proofs/acceptance on the left side of the receiver. The side plate is unnumbered. It is possible that it was so severely pitted that the refinisher removed the number but judging from the contours I suspect that it is a heavily reworked unnumbered replacement. In addition of the thinning of the “bump” to the extent that the transfer bar is exposed, the whole thickness of the side plate is considerably thinner than stock…so much so that the upper left corner is square lacking the radius of a standard 1908 plate and the rear of the plate is almost flush with the frame so that the entire plate looks like it came from a M1900. An interesting piece. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-19-2016, 09:19 AM	#12
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	I would remove this butchered side plate and replace it with something more suitable. Since it is first issue, the numbering should be at the bottom of the side plate, if any. If there is no number present, I'd look for a suitable commercial style side plate as a replacement. The gun would certainly look better and be much safer.

08-20-2016, 03:07 AM	#13
Kri 1942 User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Europe Posts: 40 Thanks: 220 Thanked 68 Times in 22 Posts	Hello Jean-Pierre, As I told you on the French forum, TCAR, the side plate is not original, which confirms our American friends... Joël Bonjour Jean-Pierre, Comme je vous l'avais dit sur le forum français, TCAR, la plaque latérale n'est pas d'origine, ce que confirme nos amis américains... Joël