Hello everyone - new memeber - heres my P08...

sschaedel · 02-24-2017, 09:39 PM

Hello, inherited this nice little piece of history complete with holster. I don't think they were a "rig" and I think the Luger may be refinished but that is why I am here - opinions from the experts. I am a new member of P38 forum as I was lucky enough to pick up a bring back AC43 with matching holster in awesome condition. I have had so much fun on that forum that it brought me here. Here are some pics, its a number matching gun and has not been shot much as it is very clean but the finish on it makes me wonder ... let me know what you think ....
Thay may not be the best pics so also let me know if I need better pics or pics of an individual part ...

alanint · 02-24-2017, 10:41 PM

Welcome to the forum!

Your pistol has been refinished, rather over buffed and has replacement grips. Still, it looks like it will make a great shooter. I hope you purchased it at a price that allows for its current condition.

Eugen · 02-25-2017, 05:11 AM

Welcome to the forum. If inherited that Luger, I am sure, has some very special meaning for you, especially if there are any stories that go with it. I am relatively inexperienced but can easily tell that it has been refinished. The heavy buffing may have been done to repair some rusting and light pitting. It is a good looking gun for presentation to friends and neighbors. Do you plan to shoot it?

Lastly, spend some time in the FAQ section as there is a wealth of information there in summary format. It is a must read for new owners.

kurusu · 02-25-2017, 09:20 AM

By the way. Since the gun was refinished, some photos of the top side would help to now it's timeframe and provenance.

I mean, year over the chamber, if present. Manufacturer (or manufacturer code) over the toggle link. You know, that sort of things.

RShaw · 02-25-2017, 01:30 PM

Yes, certainly looks like a refinish- therefore an ideal shooter. I am also on the P38 forum, there are many here who spend some time in the P38 as well. Perhaps upload some pics of your holster?

I myself agreed to buy a shooter looking very similar to yours- it's a 1918 DWM. I still have to wait to register it on my permit- Dutch law. Cant't wait to try her out... If you plan to shoot it, the best ammo (from selveral sources- I have already asked) is the following:

Original 9mm Luger round = 124gr bullet (fmj) at 1050fps from a 4" barrel.
Original 9mm P ammunition, as tested in the USA in 1903 to be:
Light: 8g / 124 gr bullet + 0,35 g / 5,4 gr powder = 315 mps / 1033 fps from 100 mm barrel
Heavy: 8g / 124 gr bullet + 0,38 g / 5,9 gr powder = 334 mps / 1095 fps from 100 mm barrel

< WW1, changed to 115gr fmj at 1150fps from a 4" barrel.
Winchester White Box 115 gr. or something similar. Remington to be avoided
145 grain subsonic 9mm reliable (handloaded)
American Eagle 124gr fmj works!
standard 9mm ammo is fine - standard commercial ammunition, 115 / 124 gr FMJ or FMJRN is good. S&B, Fiocchi both good
Magtech 124gr works perfect, Fiochi 123gr = no good, Geco 139gr = very bad
Best ammo is a 115gn full metal jacket bullet loaded to standard velocity.
standard velocity 9mm ammo in either 115gr or 124gr FMJRN bullets. S&B, Magtech or Fiocchi are good; Magtech (lower power) cycles better than the Fiocchi
Fiocchi accuracy is not so good
round nose, 123 gr jacketed bullets ("Luger Shooting" by George A. WIlson)
No +P, of course. No 147's or 150's either. No NATO

sschaedel · 02-25-2017, 07:20 PM

Thanks for the info - I will get some more pics of it its got 1938 S/42 on the top of the slide. I have been shooting since I thought it was refinished, I would probably shoot it even if it wasn't. Its shame someone took a nice matching number pistol and screed it up.

mrerick · 02-25-2017, 07:48 PM

Mauser made. Great Luger for shooting. Congratulations, and welcome to the forum.

Marc

4 Scale · 02-26-2017, 07:43 AM

Many consider Mauser production Lugers like yours to be the most desirable shooters because of better metallurgy. I'd guess a value of around $1K give or take depending on bore condition, function, overall cosmetics and how many parts match. I have a partially refinished 1938 as a shooter and really enjoy it.

Curly1 · 02-26-2017, 10:26 AM

Welcome to the forum.

sschaedel · 03-07-2017, 09:01 PM

Sorry I haven't got more pics yet - work has been busy ... anyway the pistol is exceptionally clean - bore is good and all the internals are perfect - almost brand new which is what puzzles me so much why someone would want to refinish it - maybe they didn't know any better - I love shooting it though - the slide staying open on the last round gives me a similar feeling to Garand "ting" as it ejects the clip :-)

sschaedel · 03-07-2017, 09:04 PM

Been shopping for a good collector piece as I have a fetish for rare and historical pieces in correct condition - including cars :-) I have to admit though its recently been the Walther P38 bug that has me - picked up a very nice vet bring back AC43 with original holster and mags - it is also very clean and now I have the urge to collect one from each of the 3 manufactures - and then of course a 480 model and also a late 45 model :-) I'm going to go broke - LOL

RShaw · 03-07-2017, 11:29 PM

Well, this is the fun of collecting and of shooting....these two hobbies can and do overlap- the one is an addition to the other!

Neil Young · 03-08-2017, 08:23 AM

Welcome aboard.

02-24-2017, 09:39 PM	#1
sschaedel User Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Hello everyone - new memeber - heres my P08... Hello, inherited this nice little piece of history complete with holster. I don't think they were a "rig" and I think the Luger may be refinished but that is why I am here - opinions from the experts. I am a new member of P38 forum as I was lucky enough to pick up a bring back AC43 with matching holster in awesome condition. I have had so much fun on that forum that it brought me here. Here are some pics, its a number matching gun and has not been shot much as it is very clean but the finish on it makes me wonder ... let me know what you think .... Thay may not be the best pics so also let me know if I need better pics or pics of an individual part ... Attached Thumbnails

02-25-2017, 05:11 AM	#3
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 768 Thanks: 372 Thanked 603 Times in 320 Posts	Welcome to the forum. If inherited that Luger, I am sure, has some very special meaning for you, especially if there are any stories that go with it. I am relatively inexperienced but can easily tell that it has been refinished. The heavy buffing may have been done to repair some rusting and light pitting. It is a good looking gun for presentation to friends and neighbors. Do you plan to shoot it? Lastly, spend some time in the FAQ section as there is a wealth of information there in summary format. It is a must read for new owners. __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

02-25-2017, 01:30 PM	#5
RShaw User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Venlo, the Netherlands Posts: 350 Thanks: 160 Thanked 170 Times in 90 Posts	Yes, certainly looks like a refinish- therefore an ideal shooter. I am also on the P38 forum, there are many here who spend some time in the P38 as well. Perhaps upload some pics of your holster? I myself agreed to buy a shooter looking very similar to yours- it's a 1918 DWM. I still have to wait to register it on my permit- Dutch law. Cant't wait to try her out... If you plan to shoot it, the best ammo (from selveral sources- I have already asked) is the following: Original 9mm Luger round = 124gr bullet (fmj) at 1050fps from a 4" barrel. Original 9mm P ammunition, as tested in the USA in 1903 to be: Light: 8g / 124 gr bullet + 0,35 g / 5,4 gr powder = 315 mps / 1033 fps from 100 mm barrel Heavy: 8g / 124 gr bullet + 0,38 g / 5,9 gr powder = 334 mps / 1095 fps from 100 mm barrel < WW1, changed to 115gr fmj at 1150fps from a 4" barrel. Winchester White Box 115 gr. or something similar. Remington to be avoided 145 grain subsonic 9mm reliable (handloaded) American Eagle 124gr fmj works! standard 9mm ammo is fine - standard commercial ammunition, 115 / 124 gr FMJ or FMJRN is good. S&B, Fiocchi both good Magtech 124gr works perfect, Fiochi 123gr = no good, Geco 139gr = very bad Best ammo is a 115gn full metal jacket bullet loaded to standard velocity. standard velocity 9mm ammo in either 115gr or 124gr FMJRN bullets. S&B, Magtech or Fiocchi are good; Magtech (lower power) cycles better than the Fiocchi Fiocchi accuracy is not so good round nose, 123 gr jacketed bullets ("Luger Shooting" by George A. WIlson) No +P, of course. No 147's or 150's either. No NATO __________________ Enjoying any firearm is like staying happily married- take her out on a regular basis, treat her with respect and pay attention to proper maintenance. Looking for magazine no. 7097 Venlo, the Netherlands- RShaw

02-25-2017, 07:48 PM	#7
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Mauser made. Great Luger for shooting. Congratulations, and welcome to the forum. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

02-26-2017, 10:26 AM	#9
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,230 Thanks: 113 Thanked 703 Times in 365 Posts	Welcome to the forum. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

02-24-2017, 10:41 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Welcome to the forum! Your pistol has been refinished, rather over buffed and has replacement grips. Still, it looks like it will make a great shooter. I hope you purchased it at a price that allows for its current condition.

02-25-2017, 09:20 AM	#4
kurusu User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 2,679 Thanked 929 Times in 509 Posts	By the way. Since the gun was refinished, some photos of the top side would help to now it's timeframe and provenance. I mean, year over the chamber, if present. Manufacturer (or manufacturer code) over the toggle link. You know, that sort of things.

02-25-2017, 07:20 PM	#6
sschaedel User Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the info - I will get some more pics of it its got 1938 S/42 on the top of the slide. I have been shooting since I thought it was refinished, I would probably shoot it even if it wasn't. Its shame someone took a nice matching number pistol and screed it up.

02-26-2017, 07:43 AM	#8
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 489 Times in 251 Posts	Many consider Mauser production Lugers like yours to be the most desirable shooters because of better metallurgy. I'd guess a value of around $1K give or take depending on bore condition, function, overall cosmetics and how many parts match. I have a partially refinished 1938 as a shooter and really enjoy it.

03-07-2017, 09:01 PM	#10
sschaedel User Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Sorry I haven't got more pics yet - work has been busy ... anyway the pistol is exceptionally clean - bore is good and all the internals are perfect - almost brand new which is what puzzles me so much why someone would want to refinish it - maybe they didn't know any better - I love shooting it though - the slide staying open on the last round gives me a similar feeling to Garand "ting" as it ejects the clip :-)

03-07-2017, 09:04 PM	#11
sschaedel User Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Been shopping for a good collector piece as I have a fetish for rare and historical pieces in correct condition - including cars :-) I have to admit though its recently been the Walther P38 bug that has me - picked up a very nice vet bring back AC43 with original holster and mags - it is also very clean and now I have the urge to collect one from each of the 3 manufactures - and then of course a 480 model and also a late 45 model :-) I'm going to go broke - LOL

03-07-2017, 11:29 PM	#12
RShaw User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Venlo, the Netherlands Posts: 350 Thanks: 160 Thanked 170 Times in 90 Posts	Well, this is the fun of collecting and of shooting....these two hobbies can and do overlap- the one is an addition to the other!

03-08-2017, 08:23 AM	#13
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 540 Thanks: 546 Thanked 438 Times in 165 Posts	Welcome aboard. __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.