1938 s/42 - Page 2

swampsavage · 10-10-2012, 08:27 PM

As I stated in my post. The parts indicated are all strawed. Also the toggle link pins. They have matching numbers as well. The Type 5 magazine is the only non-matching part. There is no evidence they were ever blued. I live about 30 miles NE of Atlanta and am retired. If anyone over this way cares to see it contact me.

Since posting the above I have been browsing various other posts about strawing. In the process I discovered that my weapon was re-blued at some point in time. The tiny pin in the left toggle is the giveaway. Apparently the previous owner had the mentioned parts strawed at that time. None of this matters much to me as all my firearms are shooters.

John17427 · 10-15-2012, 06:23 PM

OK. After consulting with local experts and a forum member, the consensus opinion on this Luger is that while it is matching and mostly original finish, it appears that the high spots (where there should be wear) may have been touched up. In addition, even if not touched up, with the amount of patina on the gun there is not enough clear original finish to make it a high end collector piece. The mag is not matching and is believed to be a G date magazine.

It'll likely spend the rest of its days with me for as long as I'm around. Thanks to all of the posters with special thanks to MFC. I'm sure I'll be back before long with another P.08 seeking advice. Thanks!

MFC · 10-15-2012, 08:16 PM

Hi John,
I'm looking forward to your range report.
Welcome to the addiction.

John17427 · 10-27-2012, 08:32 PM

Finally had a chance to take it to the range. It shot very well with both the original magazine and a new mecgar. I put WWB 124 grain and Sellier and Bellot 115 grain through it without any hiccups. The only real problem I had was seeing the sights. I had some range glasses on that I haven't used in a long time and that along with it being an indoor range may have contributed. I thought it might have a lot of muzzle flip with the 4 inch barrel, but it really didn't for me. Funny, but the thing I liked most about it was when the toggle locks open. You absolutely know when the gun is empty. I can feel the addictiveness of this gun every time I pick it up. What have I gotten myself into?

John17427 · 10-27-2012, 08:35 PM

I found out why you need a loading tool too.

MFC · 10-27-2012, 10:37 PM

Hi John,
Glad to hear you didn't have any problems, other than the sights. The best shooters are usually all matched examples like yours. The matching numbered parts were all hand fitted. I bet you got more than a few comments at the range when you pulled out a Luger.
So... which one do you want next? There are only 500+ variations.

mrerick · 10-29-2012, 07:52 PM

John,

They are not addictive. I can stop any time I want to.

Well, maybe they are a little addictive. You know. They call to you.

Lugers... think about Lugers... All the variations... The mechanical precision... The history.... The international interest...

.....

"Hello, my name is Marc, and I'm a Lugerholic."

Marc

John17427 · 10-29-2012, 09:22 PM

Tell me I'm crazy, but the sear safety on the police intrigues me. Bet then, so do the VOPO's.

alanint · 10-30-2012, 05:53 AM

Hi John,

If you are interested in recouping some of your investment, your "G" date mag is worth about $250 to a collector. Post it on ebay or one of the gun sites and it will sell.

DavidJayUden · 10-30-2012, 09:30 AM

But post it here first...
dju

John17427 · 10-30-2012, 09:42 AM

That was the impression that MFC gave me. The magazine is probably more collectable than the pistol. I tested it with 5 rounds and it fed fine, but from here on I'll be using Mecgar's. According to the list I found on another thread, it's a mid/late G date magazine. I'll have to soak up some its history for a while before I think of selling, but if I ever sell it'll be posted here first. Thanks guys.

Frank · 10-30-2012, 12:22 PM

John, could you post pictures of your G Date Magazine bottom? Or at least, provide the serial number of the magazine.

Some member might have the pistol your magazine would match. If so, you might be able to work up a trade.

I'm glad it shoots!!

"Hello, my name is Frank, and I'm a Lugerholic."

These pistols are like Lays Potato Chips. You can't just have one!!

John17427 · 10-31-2012, 12:22 AM

The number on the base is 5513d. The base is a bit beat up; under a 10x magnifier it looks like a de63 Waffenamt. These pictures are not so great, but here they are.

Frank · 10-31-2012, 07:05 AM

John, thanks. I own S/N 5918d, so it's close, but no cigar.

While your magazine isn't in the best condition, anyone that owns S/N 5513d would be excited to have it!!

Sky Zero · 10-31-2012, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

John,

They are not addictive. I can stop any time I want to.

Well, maybe they are a little addictive. You know. They call to you.

Lugers... think about Lugers... All the variations... The mechanical precision... The history.... The international interest...

.....

"Hello, my name is Marc, and I'm a Lugerholic."

Marc

hahah

10-10-2012, 08:27 PM	#21
swampsavage User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Jackson County, GA Posts: 43 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	As I stated in my post. The parts indicated are all strawed. Also the toggle link pins. They have matching numbers as well. The Type 5 magazine is the only non-matching part. There is no evidence they were ever blued. I live about 30 miles NE of Atlanta and am retired. If anyone over this way cares to see it contact me. Since posting the above I have been browsing various other posts about strawing. In the process I discovered that my weapon was re-blued at some point in time. The tiny pin in the left toggle is the giveaway. Apparently the previous owner had the mentioned parts strawed at that time. None of this matters much to me as all my firearms are shooters. __________________ John Last edited by swampsavage; 10-11-2012 at 05:25 AM. Reason: added info

10-15-2012, 08:16 PM	#23
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Hi John, I'm looking forward to your range report. Welcome to the addiction. __________________ Mike C.

10-27-2012, 10:37 PM	#26
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Hi John, Glad to hear you didn't have any problems, other than the sights. The best shooters are usually all matched examples like yours. The matching numbered parts were all hand fitted. I bet you got more than a few comments at the range when you pulled out a Luger. So... which one do you want next? There are only 500+ variations. __________________ Mike C.

10-29-2012, 07:52 PM	#27
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	John, They are not addictive. I can stop any time I want to. Well, maybe they are a little addictive. You know. They call to you. Lugers... think about Lugers... All the variations... The mechanical precision... The history.... The international interest... ..... "Hello, my name is Marc, and I'm a Lugerholic." Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-31-2012, 12:22 AM	#33
John17427 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20 Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	The number on the base is 5513d. The base is a bit beat up; under a 10x magnifier it looks like a de63 Waffenamt. These pictures are not so great, but here they are. Attached Thumbnails

10-15-2012, 06:23 PM	#22
John17427 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20 Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	OK. After consulting with local experts and a forum member, the consensus opinion on this Luger is that while it is matching and mostly original finish, it appears that the high spots (where there should be wear) may have been touched up. In addition, even if not touched up, with the amount of patina on the gun there is not enough clear original finish to make it a high end collector piece. The mag is not matching and is believed to be a G date magazine. It'll likely spend the rest of its days with me for as long as I'm around. Thanks to all of the posters with special thanks to MFC. I'm sure I'll be back before long with another P.08 seeking advice. Thanks!

10-27-2012, 08:32 PM	#24
John17427 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20 Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	Finally had a chance to take it to the range. It shot very well with both the original magazine and a new mecgar. I put WWB 124 grain and Sellier and Bellot 115 grain through it without any hiccups. The only real problem I had was seeing the sights. I had some range glasses on that I haven't used in a long time and that along with it being an indoor range may have contributed. I thought it might have a lot of muzzle flip with the 4 inch barrel, but it really didn't for me. Funny, but the thing I liked most about it was when the toggle locks open. You absolutely know when the gun is empty. I can feel the addictiveness of this gun every time I pick it up. What have I gotten myself into?

10-27-2012, 08:35 PM	#25
John17427 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20 Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	I found out why you need a loading tool too.

10-29-2012, 09:22 PM	#28
John17427 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20 Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	Tell me I'm crazy, but the sear safety on the police intrigues me. Bet then, so do the VOPO's.

10-30-2012, 05:53 AM	#29
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Hi John, If you are interested in recouping some of your investment, your "G" date mag is worth about $250 to a collector. Post it on ebay or one of the gun sites and it will sell.

10-30-2012, 09:30 AM	#30
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	But post it here first... dju

10-30-2012, 09:42 AM	#31
John17427 User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20 Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	That was the impression that MFC gave me. The magazine is probably more collectable than the pistol. I tested it with 5 rounds and it fed fine, but from here on I'll be using Mecgar's. According to the list I found on another thread, it's a mid/late G date magazine. I'll have to soak up some its history for a while before I think of selling, but if I ever sell it'll be posted here first. Thanks guys.

10-30-2012, 12:22 PM	#32
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	John, could you post pictures of your G Date Magazine bottom? Or at least, provide the serial number of the magazine. Some member might have the pistol your magazine would match. If so, you might be able to work up a trade. I'm glad it shoots!! "Hello, my name is Frank, and I'm a Lugerholic." These pistols are like Lays Potato Chips. You can't just have one!!

10-31-2012, 07:05 AM	#34
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	John, thanks. I own S/N 5918d, so it's close, but no cigar. While your magazine isn't in the best condition, anyone that owns S/N 5513d would be excited to have it!!