P.08 military luger

beaglerobert · 06-25-2002, 12:59 PM

Would like help identifying this Luger.
Toggle= 42 & last two digits of serial #
Chamber= 1939
Toggle= squared & knurled (clean & sharp)
Grip Saftey= None
Stock Lug= Yes (clean & sharp)
Caliber= 9mm
Grip= plastic in brown w/border, no insignia, checkering is clean and sharp
Thumb Saftey= Safe in rear, w/"Gesichert"
Markings= under barrell is a line of writing that seems to be partially stamped due to curvature of barrell,also there is an "N" witha "Crown" above it, front of trigger housing stamped with the serial number, under that is an 8 sideways,under that is a scriptive letter "F" from suffix 1,left side of chamber is the full serial number,right side there are three eagles w/ dots in them, under the left two is the number 63, the last two digits of the serial number are on every part that I can see.
Barrell length= 4"
Left edge of extractor= "GLADEN"
Sights= (front) blade type with dovetail mtg.,grooves from bottom to almost the top, grooves are clean and sharp
(rear) toggle w/vee, front is dished out
Magazine= (2) Alum. the serial numbers are stamped on both with the numbers 1 & 2. On the sides it is stamped 2/1001

The finish is almost perfect, it is "BLUED"
The only place that the finish is worn off is on the back of the frame where the grip saftey would be, other than that the finish is almost flawless, inside and out. Would I hurt this gun if I fired it? Thank You for your help.... Bob Mason

Lonnie Zimmerman · 06-25-2002, 05:57 PM

I can tell you the magazines are post war, East German .
Lonnie

Edward Tinker · 06-25-2002, 06:16 PM

If all numbers match (the numbers of the last two are on many parts on the insde).

Overall, it sounds like more of a collector piece than a shooter. If you shoot her and damage a part you drop the value several hundred dollars.

Can you tell if it has been reblued, that would be a totally different matter, then it would be a shooter instead of a collector piece.

Can you post clear photos of it on the forum?

A quick synopsis, the 42 means it was made by Mauser, in the year 1939.

Overall it sounds very nice.

Roadkill · 06-26-2002, 09:19 AM

Why take a chance? Too many definite shooters around to do so. Very good description.

RK

kidvett · 06-26-2002, 09:32 AM

From your very good description your LUGER looks to me as a 1939 Code 42 ( MAUSER ) A well made popular WWII piece that was the follow up to MAUSER'S S/42 series which ended around April 1939.

Can you post some PICS?

Thanks,

kidvett [img]cool.gif[/img]

beaglerobert · 06-26-2002, 01:54 PM

Edward Tinker:
How can I tell if the finish has been reblued?
What do I look for?
Do I have to disassemble, to do this?

Lonnie Zimmerman:
Doesn't post war mean after the war? Does this mean that these magazines are not the ones that came with this luger? If so how do you know?

beaglerobert · 06-26-2002, 01:58 PM

I would like to find a holster for this luger.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Guys,
Bob Mason

Lugerdoc · 06-26-2002, 02:58 PM

Bob, Your 1939/42 PO8 sounds like a recent import (name of importer, location and caliber marked under the barrel) and the C/n under the barrel, indicates a new E German replacement. Sounds like a real nice shooter. Tom H.

Edward Tinker · 06-26-2002, 07:09 PM

Helle Beagle;

Tom said the marks on the underside of the barrel, means it is an import, and I'll readily defer to him on that, he has seen many of them.

In ref to bluing, I'm not the best to tell you, but as you look at it, any bangs, scrapes, scratches, etc, that are blued over, then it's been reblued. I am talking about defects that are newer than machine marks. Also, you can look at all the letters and numbers, how clear are they. Although if this is a East German rework, they did a very good job on them I have been told, so that would make them harder to judge if they have been reblued.

The magazines marked like this [quote] Magazine= (2) Alum. the serial numbers are stamped on both with the numbers 1 & 2. On the sides it is stamped 2/1001 <hr></blockquote> are Post War evidently, each "era" of magazines have certain things that make them stand out, the only thing that puzzled me was the aluminum bottom of the mag?

Herb · 06-26-2002, 08:41 PM

For a holster try http://www.interordnance.com
they sell the P.08 hardshell with all original markings for $29.95 and the P.38 for $34.95. At that price they have to be repros.

beaglerobert · 06-27-2002, 02:07 PM

Thank You Herb for the info.

Edward Tinker:
What is East German Rework?? Is this recent or was this done right after the war (what year)
The magazines are different, one appears to be machined, the other seems to be extruded. On the right side under the Toggle Knob there is a bar, this bar has a straw color, it is the only piece that does. What are the mag. bottoms supposed to be??? In your opinion what would be the ball park value of this gun?

Edward Tinker · 06-27-2002, 03:32 PM

I'm not sure of the dates, but after the Russians took over that part of Germany, all kinds of items were taken back including LugerÃ¢??s.

Then when East Germany rearmed, they used what was available and arsenal refinished LugerÃ¢??s and P-38s. From what I have read and seen those arsenal refinished LugerÃ¢??s and P-38s were done very well. My feeling is that since they were arsenal refinished they will become more valuable as the years go by. But thatÃ¢??s Ed's opinion only, [img]redface.gif[/img]

Kyrie · 06-27-2002, 04:13 PM

Hi Bob!

These East German rebuilds with a new East German barrel and two matching magazines numbered Ã¢??1Ã¢?Â and Ã¢??2Ã¢?Â are common enough that they have no collector value. The last one I bought was in about 1992, and I paid $269 (retail). In todayÃ¢??s market, it might go for as much as $500, but $400 is more realistic.

Hope this helps some!

Warm regards,

Kyrie
Moderator - Cruffler_Forum on Yahoo Groups
"The flame free C&R Forum."

beaglerobert · 06-27-2002, 05:30 PM

I have disassembled this luger and found more matching parts. The blueing seems to be even throught the different parts. all of the stampings are clean and sharp. On the inside the bluing is worn off where the parts are sliding together. Is this year supposed to have plastic grips or wood? The inside of the barrell chamber where the bullet sits shows signs of the gun being fired but only faintly. All the small parts do not show any wear to speak of. Is there anybody that might know how many 1939's were produced by Mauser and what the serial #'s run might have been?

beaglerobert · 06-27-2002, 05:37 PM

Lugerdoc (Tom H.)
The serial number is on the front of the trigger housing and not the underside of the barrell. I hope I am not being confusing. Thanks Bob M.

Lugerdoc · 06-28-2002, 09:44 AM

Bob, The controlling serial number of your PO8 SHOULD be on the front of the frame just below the barrel, and above the rounded part of the trigger guard. A newly installed EG barrel will not be serialized to the gun, but will have the crown over N proof and perhaps a date (eg. 853 for August 1953, the year most of these were reworked and put into storage). The strawed part that you mentioned on the right receiver, just below the toggle "knob" is the ejector. Tom H.

06-25-2002, 12:59 PM	#1
beaglerobert User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	P.08 military luger Would like help identifying this Luger. Toggle= 42 & last two digits of serial # Chamber= 1939 Toggle= squared & knurled (clean & sharp) Grip Saftey= None Stock Lug= Yes (clean & sharp) Caliber= 9mm Grip= plastic in brown w/border, no insignia, checkering is clean and sharp Thumb Saftey= Safe in rear, w/"Gesichert" Markings= under barrell is a line of writing that seems to be partially stamped due to curvature of barrell,also there is an "N" witha "Crown" above it, front of trigger housing stamped with the serial number, under that is an 8 sideways,under that is a scriptive letter "F" from suffix 1,left side of chamber is the full serial number,right side there are three eagles w/ dots in them, under the left two is the number 63, the last two digits of the serial number are on every part that I can see. Barrell length= 4" Left edge of extractor= "GLADEN" Sights= (front) blade type with dovetail mtg.,grooves from bottom to almost the top, grooves are clean and sharp (rear) toggle w/vee, front is dished out Magazine= (2) Alum. the serial numbers are stamped on both with the numbers 1 & 2. On the sides it is stamped 2/1001 The finish is almost perfect, it is "BLUED" The only place that the finish is worn off is on the back of the frame where the grip saftey would be, other than that the finish is almost flawless, inside and out. Would I hurt this gun if I fired it? Thank You for your help.... Bob Mason

06-25-2002, 05:57 PM	#2
Lonnie Zimmerman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 523 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I can tell you the magazines are post war, East German . Lonnie __________________ Lonnie Zimmerman

06-25-2002, 06:16 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	If all numbers match (the numbers of the last two are on many parts on the insde). Overall, it sounds like more of a collector piece than a shooter. If you shoot her and damage a part you drop the value several hundred dollars. Can you tell if it has been reblued, that would be a totally different matter, then it would be a shooter instead of a collector piece. Can you post clear photos of it on the forum? A quick synopsis, the 42 means it was made by Mauser, in the year 1939. Overall it sounds very nice. __________________ 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

06-26-2002, 02:58 PM	#8
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	Bob, Your 1939/42 PO8 sounds like a recent import (name of importer, location and caliber marked under the barrel) and the C/n under the barrel, indicates a new E German replacement. Sounds like a real nice shooter. Tom H. __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

06-26-2002, 07:09 PM	#9
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	Helle Beagle; Tom said the marks on the underside of the barrel, means it is an import, and I'll readily defer to him on that, he has seen many of them. In ref to bluing, I'm not the best to tell you, but as you look at it, any bangs, scrapes, scratches, etc, that are blued over, then it's been reblued. I am talking about defects that are newer than machine marks. Also, you can look at all the letters and numbers, how clear are they. Although if this is a East German rework, they did a very good job on them I have been told, so that would make them harder to judge if they have been reblued. The magazines marked like this [quote] Magazine= (2) Alum. the serial numbers are stamped on both with the numbers 1 & 2. On the sides it is stamped 2/1001 <hr></blockquote> are Post War evidently, each "era" of magazines have certain things that make them stand out, the only thing that puzzled me was the aluminum bottom of the mag? __________________ 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

06-26-2002, 09:19 AM	#4
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Why take a chance? Too many definite shooters around to do so. Very good description. RK

06-26-2002, 09:32 AM	#5
kidvett User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	From your very good description your LUGER looks to me as a 1939 Code 42 ( MAUSER ) A well made popular WWII piece that was the follow up to MAUSER'S S/42 series which ended around April 1939. Can you post some PICS? Thanks, kidvett [img]cool.gif[/img]

06-26-2002, 01:54 PM	#6
beaglerobert User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Edward Tinker: How can I tell if the finish has been reblued? What do I look for? Do I have to disassemble, to do this? Lonnie Zimmerman: Doesn't post war mean after the war? Does this mean that these magazines are not the ones that came with this luger? If so how do you know?

06-26-2002, 01:58 PM	#7
beaglerobert User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I would like to find a holster for this luger. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Guys, Bob Mason

06-26-2002, 08:41 PM	#10
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	For a holster try http://www.interordnance.com they sell the P.08 hardshell with all original markings for $29.95 and the P.38 for $34.95. At that price they have to be repros. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

06-27-2002, 02:07 PM	#11
beaglerobert User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank You Herb for the info. Edward Tinker: What is East German Rework?? Is this recent or was this done right after the war (what year) The magazines are different, one appears to be machined, the other seems to be extruded. On the right side under the Toggle Knob there is a bar, this bar has a straw color, it is the only piece that does. What are the mag. bottoms supposed to be??? In your opinion what would be the ball park value of this gun?

06-27-2002, 03:32 PM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	I'm not sure of the dates, but after the Russians took over that part of Germany, all kinds of items were taken back including LugerÃ¢??s. Then when East Germany rearmed, they used what was available and arsenal refinished LugerÃ¢??s and P-38s. From what I have read and seen those arsenal refinished LugerÃ¢??s and P-38s were done very well. My feeling is that since they were arsenal refinished they will become more valuable as the years go by. But thatÃ¢??s Ed's opinion only, [img]redface.gif[/img] __________________ 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

06-27-2002, 04:13 PM	#13
Kyrie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 212 Times in 101 Posts	Hi Bob! These East German rebuilds with a new East German barrel and two matching magazines numbered Ã¢??1Ã¢?Â and Ã¢??2Ã¢?Â are common enough that they have no collector value. The last one I bought was in about 1992, and I paid $269 (retail). In todayÃ¢??s market, it might go for as much as $500, but $400 is more realistic. Hope this helps some! Warm regards, Kyrie Moderator - Cruffler_Forum on Yahoo Groups "The flame free C&R Forum."

06-27-2002, 05:30 PM	#14
beaglerobert User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have disassembled this luger and found more matching parts. The blueing seems to be even throught the different parts. all of the stampings are clean and sharp. On the inside the bluing is worn off where the parts are sliding together. Is this year supposed to have plastic grips or wood? The inside of the barrell chamber where the bullet sits shows signs of the gun being fired but only faintly. All the small parts do not show any wear to speak of. Is there anybody that might know how many 1939's were produced by Mauser and what the serial #'s run might have been?

06-27-2002, 05:37 PM	#15
beaglerobert User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lugerdoc (Tom H.) The serial number is on the front of the trigger housing and not the underside of the barrell. I hope I am not being confusing. Thanks Bob M.

06-28-2002, 09:44 AM	#16
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	Bob, The controlling serial number of your PO8 SHOULD be on the front of the frame just below the barrel, and above the rounded part of the trigger guard. A newly installed EG barrel will not be serialized to the gun, but will have the crown over N proof and perhaps a date (eg. 853 for August 1953, the year most of these were reworked and put into storage). The strawed part that you mentioned on the right receiver, just below the toggle "knob" is the ejector. Tom H. __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net