Mismatched P08-Anything interesting about it?

Genghis Khan · 07-16-2017, 06:56 PM

I got this one on Auction. The upper is DWM from 1913. Not sure about the lower. It has "Germany" stamped on it in at least 2 spots so I imagine it was an import to the US many years ago.
I posted pics of all markings I could find. Any ID help would be appreciated.
Also, the safety slips from the off safe position easily. I read elsewhere that slightly bending the safety lever so it presses harder against the frame should help. Any insights regarding that? Thanks.

Genghis Khan · 07-16-2017, 06:58 PM

Additional markings

Edward Tinker · 07-16-2017, 07:22 PM

So, military 1913 made by DWM that at some poin after the war was export marked by Germany and made it to the USA.

The magazine is a WW2 magazine

Obviously mismatched...

Use 0000 steel wool and oil gently on the active rust

Chickenthief · 07-16-2017, 07:29 PM

If you pull the top and look at the frame from the rear there is a small pin on the inside left side.
That pin holds the safety lever in place and taps out easily from rear to front (remove left grip first!).
Place the lever in a vise and bend it slightly (easy does it).
Place in frame and tap pin in from the front grip side.

That's what i did to mine and it stays in the position i select now.

Chickenthief · 07-16-2017, 07:32 PM

Did the Germans mark export guns with "Germany" from git go or did it come to after WWI ?

Ron Wood · 07-16-2017, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickenthief

Did the Germans mark export guns with "Germany" from git go or did it come to after WWI ?

From the git go...it was a requirement of the 1890 McKinley Tariff Act. Country of origin was required to be marked on goods to be imported into the United States...not just guns.

Genghis Khan · 07-16-2017, 08:51 PM

Any idea if the frame is DWM also? And does it look military?

DavidJayUden · 07-16-2017, 09:41 PM

I'm thinking I'm seeing Erfurt stamps on the lower, which would make it military.
dju

George Anderson · 07-16-2017, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Genghis Khan

Any idea if the frame is DWM also? And does it look military?

The frame is from a later Erfurt pistol.

Genghis Khan · 07-17-2017, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Anderson

The frame is from a later Erfurt pistol.

Any way to tell how much later?

Chickenthief · 07-17-2017, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

From the git go...it was a requirement of the 1890 McKinley Tariff Act. Country of origin was required to be marked on goods to be imported into the United States...not just guns.

It's just that my 1921 DWM is marked "Germany" and i'm pretty sure it never crossed the Atlantic, and has stayed in the old world it's whole life.
So i assumed it was a thing from Versailles regulations at the end of WWI

Sergio Natali · 07-17-2017, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickenthief

It's just that my 1921 DWM is marked "Germany" and i'm pretty sure it never crossed the Atlantic, and has stayed in the old world it's whole life.
So i assumed it was a thing from Versailles regulations at the end of WWI

Don't think that the GERMANY mark has anything to do wit the Versailles Treaty unless that gun was supposed to be sold abroad.

DonVoigt · 07-17-2017, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickenthief

It's just that my 1921 DWM is marked "Germany" and i'm pretty sure it never crossed the Atlantic, and has stayed in the old world it's whole life.
So i assumed it was a thing from Versailles regulations at the end of WWI

There is no way to know if your pistol was stamped for export and then for some reason not exported and remained in Europe; quite possible as others have reported "Germany" marked examples from Europe.

The requirement for the stamping of "Germany or Made in Germany" predates the Treaty, no question. As they say- don't "assume".

It exists on luger pistols from 1900 by the hundreds.

DonVoigt · 07-17-2017, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Genghis Khan

Any way to tell how much later?

No; dated Erfurt production ceased in 1918.

Lugerdoc · 07-17-2017, 12:06 PM

Sir, Your PO8 started life as a WW1 military issue, without any "Germany' marking. After the war, it was sold as surplus to the American market and probably "country of origin" marked by Stoeger or who ever was the importer. TH PS" Probably marked before 1923, when the US law was changed to also require "made in xxxx".

Genghis Khan · 07-27-2017, 10:49 PM

Just an update.

I soaked it in Kroil, degreased it, scrubbed off the rust with 0000 steel wool and oiled it. The play in the safety is much less, the gun looks great with a nice patina and it shoots quite nicely.
I got a couple aftermarket mags and all work great.
I am going to keep my eyes open for another shooter. They are addictive.

07-16-2017, 06:56 PM	#1
Genghis Khan User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 13 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Mismatched P08-Anything interesting about it? I got this one on Auction. The upper is DWM from 1913. Not sure about the lower. It has "Germany" stamped on it in at least 2 spots so I imagine it was an import to the US many years ago. I posted pics of all markings I could find. Any ID help would be appreciated. Also, the safety slips from the off safe position easily. I read elsewhere that slightly bending the safety lever so it presses harder against the frame should help. Any insights regarding that? Thanks. Attached Thumbnails Attached Images

07-16-2017, 06:58 PM	#2
Genghis Khan User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 13 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Some more pics Additional markings Attached Thumbnails Attached Images

07-16-2017, 07:22 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	So, military 1913 made by DWM that at some poin after the war was export marked by Germany and made it to the USA. The magazine is a WW2 magazine Obviously mismatched... Use 0000 steel wool and oil gently on the active rust __________________ 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

07-17-2017, 12:06 PM	#15
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Sir, Your PO8 started life as a WW1 military issue, without any "Germany' marking. After the war, it was sold as surplus to the American market and probably "country of origin" marked by Stoeger or who ever was the importer. TH PS" Probably marked before 1923, when the US law was changed to also require "made in xxxx". __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

07-16-2017, 07:29 PM	#4
Chickenthief User Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Denmark Posts: 135 Thanks: 0 Thanked 131 Times in 48 Posts	If you pull the top and look at the frame from the rear there is a small pin on the inside left side. That pin holds the safety lever in place and taps out easily from rear to front (remove left grip first!). Place the lever in a vise and bend it slightly (easy does it). Place in frame and tap pin in from the front grip side. That's what i did to mine and it stays in the position i select now.

07-16-2017, 07:32 PM	#5
Chickenthief User Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Denmark Posts: 135 Thanks: 0 Thanked 131 Times in 48 Posts	Did the Germans mark export guns with "Germany" from git go or did it come to after WWI ?

07-16-2017, 08:51 PM	#7
Genghis Khan User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 13 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Any idea if the frame is DWM also? And does it look military?

07-16-2017, 09:41 PM	#8
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'm thinking I'm seeing Erfurt stamps on the lower, which would make it military. dju

07-27-2017, 10:49 PM	#16
Genghis Khan User Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 13 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Just an update. I soaked it in Kroil, degreased it, scrubbed off the rust with 0000 steel wool and oiled it. The play in the safety is much less, the gun looks great with a nice patina and it shoots quite nicely. I got a couple aftermarket mags and all work great. I am going to keep my eyes open for another shooter. They are addictive.