A bit of a newbie question but, caliber?

Schoffleine · 10-22-2011, 11:27 PM

What were the Lugers in WWII in terms of caliber? I found my dad's Luger the other day while house sitting and was trying to determine whether it was authentic or not (seems to be).

In my search, I found a site that said the caliber is printed on the underside of the barrel, and the one they were displaying was an 8.82. Well this one is an 8.84, evidently. Is that close enough to a 9mm to make no difference? I'm not sure I really want to fire this thing (don't know what would happen to it), but I am a bit curious as to whether it could be fired.

From what I can tell (I'd love to share pictures with y'all but don't have a transfer cable for my camera), it's a 1934 (or 1937, I've seen conflicting dates) Mauser-Werke Luger K-date with the S/42 markings. He has a P-08 holster too but some idiot took a knife to part of it and sawed off a rectangle (probably where an emblem was) on the backside. Still, it's in great shape for the age.

Oh, right, the caliber. Sorry, bit excited about this find.

alanint · 10-22-2011, 11:32 PM

Your Luger is, indeed, a 9mm. The marking you mention is the distance measured by the arsenal between lands on your individual pistol. Standard white box Winchester ammunition will work fine in your pistol if it is in good, shootable condition..

Norme · 10-23-2011, 08:44 AM

Hi Bob, Welcome to the forum! If your Dad's gun is indeed a K date (with the letter K on it's chamber), then it was made by Mauser in 1934. Don't even think of shooting it, it's far too valuable! We would love to see pictures. Regards, Norm

ithacaartist · 10-24-2011, 10:04 AM

Welcome Bob,

Does your camera have a memory card? If so, try removing it from the cam and slippping it into the appropriate card reader slot on your computer!

David Parker

10-22-2011, 11:27 PM	#1
Schoffleine New User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A bit of a newbie question but, caliber? What were the Lugers in WWII in terms of caliber? I found my dad's Luger the other day while house sitting and was trying to determine whether it was authentic or not (seems to be). In my search, I found a site that said the caliber is printed on the underside of the barrel, and the one they were displaying was an 8.82. Well this one is an 8.84, evidently. Is that close enough to a 9mm to make no difference? I'm not sure I really want to fire this thing (don't know what would happen to it), but I am a bit curious as to whether it could be fired. From what I can tell (I'd love to share pictures with y'all but don't have a transfer cable for my camera), it's a 1934 (or 1937, I've seen conflicting dates) Mauser-Werke Luger K-date with the S/42 markings. He has a P-08 holster too but some idiot took a knife to part of it and sawed off a rectangle (probably where an emblem was) on the backside. Still, it's in great shape for the age. Oh, right, the caliber. Sorry, bit excited about this find.

10-22-2011, 11:32 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	Your Luger is, indeed, a 9mm. The marking you mention is the distance measured by the arsenal between lands on your individual pistol. Standard white box Winchester ammunition will work fine in your pistol if it is in good, shootable condition..

10-23-2011, 08:44 AM	#3
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	Hi Bob, Welcome to the forum! If your Dad's gun is indeed a K date (with the letter K on it's chamber), then it was made by Mauser in 1934. Don't even think of shooting it, it's far too valuable! We would love to see pictures. Regards, Norm

10-24-2011, 10:04 AM	#4
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,285 Thanks: 7,021 Thanked 2,479 Times in 1,321 Posts	Welcome Bob, Does your camera have a memory card? If so, try removing it from the cam and slippping it into the appropriate card reader slot on your computer! David Parker