Luger PO8 byf 42 May Purchase Need Review

Lugermeister · 06-20-2017, 01:08 PM

I'm traveling and found this byf 42 in a LGS. Asking &1,995.00 but got another $100 off, so $1,895.00. He has a couple of original non-matching holsters that I may negotiate for as well.

This is numbers matching exterior. I have not had it apart to check markings inside. Does not appear to have be re-blued as stamps are not rounded, pretty sharp in fact. Price is somewhat stiff for me, but it would be my first Luger and I want it to be a good collectible rather than a shooter. I can get one of those later.

Price is softened by the fact that I have won two guns on raffle in the last year. One is a NIB Ruger New American 9MM w/two mags. The other is a Ruger SR1911 .45 ACP 1911. It is declared "used" since I put 2 mags of rounds through it. Both I will sell tomorrow or if not, trade in on the Luger.

Since it's my first Luger, I would really appreciate your comments on the gun itself and, of course, the price.

Thanks for the add.

Old retired U.S. Army Officer (hooked on guns). More expensive than "Pickleball!"

guns3545 · 06-20-2017, 01:59 PM

Lou,

Thanks for posting and welcome to the Forum.

Pictures aren't the greatest but nothing leaps out as being wrong. You would need to take the gun apart to check internal numbers to be sure. In fact, nice to see a byf42 with wood grip panels. Most collectors do not realize that much of 1942 production did leave the factory with wood grips. A lot of people prefer to switch them out for black plastic grips and call them Black Widows.

You may want to check the inside of the grips to see if they have the last two digits of the SN or an Eagle 655 or 135 inspection stamp.

The magazine picture is not really good enough to comment on. But looks okay.

Price may be a bit high but not out of the world.

Hope this helps.

John

Thor · 06-20-2017, 02:15 PM

Nice Luger

Lugermeister · 06-20-2017, 02:42 PM

Thank you. I surely don't want to overpay or make a bad "collector" decision. Especially on my firstLuger.

gunbugs · 06-20-2017, 05:00 PM

The only thing I would note, is that the photos appear to show "fitting" to the grip panels. Forward of the grip screws on the bottom edge. Kind of looks like file marks. I could be wrong.

DavidJayUden · 06-20-2017, 05:52 PM

Nothing scares me but the price. I see a $1600 gun. But we are a different market than he is stretching for.
dju

alanint · 06-20-2017, 09:58 PM

Agree that the grips look recently "fitted".

Sonofeugene · 06-21-2017, 02:31 AM

Be very careful removing the left grip. You do not want to break off the bit behind the safety.

Lugermeister · 06-21-2017, 08:39 AM

They have an in store gunsmith. I'll let him take it apart.

DonVoigt · 06-21-2017, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lugermeister

They have an in store gunsmith. I'll let him take it apart.

Just be aware that many/most 'smiths have no knowledge of lugers.

gunbugs · 06-21-2017, 11:23 PM

I usually just take off the right panel. With the mag out, you can see most of the markings through the mag well on the left panel.

Lugermeister · 06-22-2017, 01:01 AM

Excellent! Thank you!

06-20-2017, 01:08 PM	#1
Lugermeister User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Luger PO8 byf 42 May Purchase Need Review I'm traveling and found this byf 42 in a LGS. Asking &1,995.00 but got another $100 off, so $1,895.00. He has a couple of original non-matching holsters that I may negotiate for as well. This is numbers matching exterior. I have not had it apart to check markings inside. Does not appear to have be re-blued as stamps are not rounded, pretty sharp in fact. Price is somewhat stiff for me, but it would be my first Luger and I want it to be a good collectible rather than a shooter. I can get one of those later. Price is softened by the fact that I have won two guns on raffle in the last year. One is a NIB Ruger New American 9MM w/two mags. The other is a Ruger SR1911 .45 ACP 1911. It is declared "used" since I put 2 mags of rounds through it. Both I will sell tomorrow or if not, trade in on the Luger. Since it's my first Luger, I would really appreciate your comments on the gun itself and, of course, the price. Thanks for the add. Old retired U.S. Army Officer (hooked on guns). More expensive than "Pickleball!" Attached Thumbnails

06-20-2017, 02:15 PM	#3
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Nice Luger __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

06-22-2017, 01:01 AM	#12
Lugermeister User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Luger PO8 byf 42 Excellent! Thank you!

06-20-2017, 01:59 PM	#2
guns3545 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 435 Thanks: 649 Thanked 490 Times in 216 Posts	Lou, Thanks for posting and welcome to the Forum. Pictures aren't the greatest but nothing leaps out as being wrong. You would need to take the gun apart to check internal numbers to be sure. In fact, nice to see a byf42 with wood grip panels. Most collectors do not realize that much of 1942 production did leave the factory with wood grips. A lot of people prefer to switch them out for black plastic grips and call them Black Widows. You may want to check the inside of the grips to see if they have the last two digits of the SN or an Eagle 655 or 135 inspection stamp. The magazine picture is not really good enough to comment on. But looks okay. Price may be a bit high but not out of the world. Hope this helps. John

06-20-2017, 02:42 PM	#4
Lugermeister User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thank you. I surely don't want to overpay or make a bad "collector" decision. Especially on my firstLuger.

06-20-2017, 05:00 PM	#5
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 640 Thanks: 342 Thanked 1,148 Times in 382 Posts	The only thing I would note, is that the photos appear to show "fitting" to the grip panels. Forward of the grip screws on the bottom edge. Kind of looks like file marks. I could be wrong.

06-20-2017, 05:52 PM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Nothing scares me but the price. I see a $1600 gun. But we are a different market than he is stretching for. dju

06-20-2017, 09:58 PM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Agree that the grips look recently "fitted".

06-21-2017, 02:31 AM	#8
Sonofeugene User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 157 Thanks: 1 Thanked 118 Times in 64 Posts	Be very careful removing the left grip. You do not want to break off the bit behind the safety.

06-21-2017, 08:39 AM	#9
Lugermeister User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	They have an in store gunsmith. I'll let him take it apart.

06-21-2017, 11:23 PM	#11
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 640 Thanks: 342 Thanked 1,148 Times in 382 Posts	I usually just take off the right panel. With the mag out, you can see most of the markings through the mag well on the left panel.