My 1st P08 byf '41. First Post

Mikew · 04-05-2018, 07:55 PM

I picked this '41 up at a local show a week or so ago.
I have read a lot here on the site the past few days and have a few questions:

- the O block is too early for bakelite grips and mag
correct?
- my + mag matches the gun but has a 122 e/37 stamp
w/o PO8. Is that "normal" and does it look original? It is
a blued mag body. The FXO mag does not have a
serial#. Replacement mag?

- the grips look original to me, but I would appreciate
other opinions. Type 4?

Where any of the 41's with black grips issued with aluminum mags? I've read where the black grips started around the O suffix but when did the black mags come into production?

All the parts match, but it does have some signs of wear in various spots.

Mikew

tharpo · 04-05-2018, 09:14 PM

Hi and welcome to the Forum.
Your gun looks good to me. The aluminum base magazine looks matching and correct. The black plastic magazine would be a replacement and it looks like the center pin has been changed.
The grips almost look too new to be original to the Luger and could be reproductions.

Tom

Mikew · 04-05-2018, 09:47 PM

Tom, thanks for the warm welcome.
The grips would not burn with a very hot pin. The same hot pin would melt right into my plastic toolbox. I do hope they are original, I really like the way the all black looks.

Thanks for pointing out the pin in the fxo mag. I will study up on that and compare my mag to other blacks mags that I find. The mag base would not melt either.

Mikew

JVH · 04-05-2018, 10:34 PM

Mikew, Welcome aboard. I'm positive your grip panels are reproduction. I've got a pair of same. I also have two FXO magazines and the pins in mine are dimpled not convexed. You can see period correct grip panels in the sticky above your post on 1940 grip panels from Jan Still. Nice 41 buy the way.

Waveski · 04-05-2018, 10:39 PM

Very nice first Luger , good gun show find.
Welcome to the Club.

Mikew · 04-05-2018, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JVH

Mikew, Welcome aboard. I'm positive your grip panels are reproduction. I've got a pair of same. I also have two FXO magazines and the pins in mine are dimpled not convexed. You can see period correct grip panels in the sticky above your post on 1940 grip panels from Jan Still. Nice 41 buy the way.

So the pin in the fxo mag may be ok?
I will contact the guy that I bought the gun from. I've bought from him before and I believe that he may do something to make up the difference in the grips not being original. What a bummer

Mikew

DavidJayUden · 04-05-2018, 11:37 PM

I wouldn't slash your wrists just yet. Those grips can be a real booger to sort out and me thinks we're jumping to conclusions a bit soon.
That is a very nice gun with one matching magazine, for sure. The bottom on the second MAY be a repro, we don't know yet, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
dju

Mikew · 04-06-2018, 12:34 AM

Thanks dju. Fingers crossed
Anything that makes the grip and mag base suspect? I'd like learn what is sticking out as repos.

Mikew

Major Tom · 04-06-2018, 07:45 AM

The '+' on the magazine bottom usually means it was a spare magazine to that serial number.
The metal finish on the pistol looks to me like a reblue but done very well. Nice pistol!

DonVoigt · 04-06-2018, 07:56 AM

I think the grips are fine, it is not a "re-blue", and the "+" when found is on the "spare" magazine.

Nice catch for sure.

DavidJayUden · 04-06-2018, 08:39 AM

Major: Specifically, what makes you call re-blue?
dju

Norme · 04-06-2018, 08:51 AM

Convex ended pins were adopted late in the war (about 1944) and continued in post-war production. The black based magazine looks original to me, but not of course, original to the gun.
Norm

G.T. · 04-06-2018, 11:40 AM

Hi Mikew, I'm in with Don Voigt in that the finish looks original, as do the grips and magazines, bottom and all... The retaining pin on the Bakelite bottom is a police or commercial type and although correct, uncommon... I'd leave, and love that Luger just as it is... and enjoy it as such! Best to you, til...lat'r...GT

Mikew · 04-06-2018, 12:35 PM

Thanks everyone I value all of your opinions very much. This luger has certainly given me enough to study, learn, and research. That is what I enjoy the most while participating in this “hobby” with my Dad.
I purchased this Luger to keep in my collection for many years so “it is what it is” and I will give it proper care while it is in my possession. Preservation of these and other, historical items are growing more and more important as future generations hopefully begin to understand how important our history is… and not recreate it as time “marches on”.

kurusu · 04-06-2018, 04:44 PM

O 8024 came with wooden grips. That much I know.

Your grips look original. They just may not be original to the gun. They also may have been replaced because of damage to the wooden ones.

A World War is not for sissies.

Lyn Islaub · 04-06-2018, 07:06 PM

I agree with Don and GT. No-one knows for sure in 1941 when the 100% switch to black Bakelite grips took place, so 1941 dated byf Lugers had both. The finish on your pistol looks to be original and the matching magazine makes a good argument for the grips also being original to the pistol. I'd say this was a great find and a keeper.
Lyn

04-05-2018, 07:55 PM	#1
Mikew User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 7 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	My 1st P08 byf '41. First Post I picked this '41 up at a local show a week or so ago. I have read a lot here on the site the past few days and have a few questions: - the O block is too early for bakelite grips and mag correct? - my + mag matches the gun but has a 122 e/37 stamp w/o PO8. Is that "normal" and does it look original? It is a blued mag body. The FXO mag does not have a serial#. Replacement mag? - the grips look original to me, but I would appreciate other opinions. Type 4? Where any of the 41's with black grips issued with aluminum mags? I've read where the black grips started around the O suffix but when did the black mags come into production? All the parts match, but it does have some signs of wear in various spots. Mikew

04-06-2018, 07:45 AM	#9
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 481 Thanks: 531 Thanked 226 Times in 123 Posts	The '+' on the magazine bottom usually means it was a spare magazine to that serial number. The metal finish on the pistol looks to me like a reblue but done very well. Nice pistol! __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

04-06-2018, 07:56 AM	#10
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,440 Thanked 4,348 Times in 2,038 Posts	I think the grips are fine, it is not a "re-blue", and the "+" when found is on the "spare" magazine. Nice catch for sure. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

04-06-2018, 11:40 AM	#13
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 1,284 Thanked 3,583 Times in 989 Posts	Nice gun! Hi Mikew, I'm in with Don Voigt in that the finish looks original, as do the grips and magazines, bottom and all... The retaining pin on the Bakelite bottom is a police or commercial type and although correct, uncommon... I'd leave, and love that Luger just as it is... and enjoy it as such! Best to you, til...lat'r...GT

04-05-2018, 09:14 PM	#2
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 537 Thanks: 116 Thanked 376 Times in 154 Posts	Hi and welcome to the Forum. Your gun looks good to me. The aluminum base magazine looks matching and correct. The black plastic magazine would be a replacement and it looks like the center pin has been changed. The grips almost look too new to be original to the Luger and could be reproductions. Tom

04-05-2018, 09:47 PM	#3
Mikew User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 7 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	Tom, thanks for the warm welcome. The grips would not burn with a very hot pin. The same hot pin would melt right into my plastic toolbox. I do hope they are original, I really like the way the all black looks. Thanks for pointing out the pin in the fxo mag. I will study up on that and compare my mag to other blacks mags that I find. The mag base would not melt either. Mikew

04-05-2018, 10:34 PM	#4
JVH User Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 10 Posts	Mikew, Welcome aboard. I'm positive your grip panels are reproduction. I've got a pair of same. I also have two FXO magazines and the pins in mine are dimpled not convexed. You can see period correct grip panels in the sticky above your post on 1940 grip panels from Jan Still. Nice 41 buy the way.

04-05-2018, 10:39 PM	#5
Waveski User Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 66 Thanks: 4 Thanked 23 Times in 13 Posts	Very nice first Luger , good gun show find. Welcome to the Club.

04-05-2018, 11:37 PM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I wouldn't slash your wrists just yet. Those grips can be a real booger to sort out and me thinks we're jumping to conclusions a bit soon. That is a very nice gun with one matching magazine, for sure. The bottom on the second MAY be a repro, we don't know yet, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. dju

04-06-2018, 12:34 AM	#8
Mikew User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 7 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	Thanks dju. Fingers crossed Anything that makes the grip and mag base suspect? I'd like learn what is sticking out as repos. Mikew

04-06-2018, 08:39 AM	#11
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Major: Specifically, what makes you call re-blue? dju

04-06-2018, 08:51 AM	#12
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,415 Thanks: 225 Thanked 2,593 Times in 931 Posts	Convex ended pins were adopted late in the war (about 1944) and continued in post-war production. The black based magazine looks original to me, but not of course, original to the gun. Norm

04-06-2018, 12:35 PM	#14
Mikew User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 7 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	Thanks everyone I value all of your opinions very much. This luger has certainly given me enough to study, learn, and research. That is what I enjoy the most while participating in this “hobby” with my Dad. I purchased this Luger to keep in my collection for many years so “it is what it is” and I will give it proper care while it is in my possession. Preservation of these and other, historical items are growing more and more important as future generations hopefully begin to understand how important our history is… and not recreate it as time “marches on”.

04-06-2018, 04:44 PM	#15
kurusu User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 2,679 Thanked 929 Times in 509 Posts	O 8024 came with wooden grips. That much I know. Your grips look original. They just may not be original to the gun. They also may have been replaced because of damage to the wooden ones. A World War is not for sissies.

04-06-2018, 07:06 PM	#16
Lyn Islaub Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 435 Thanks: 3 Thanked 152 Times in 72 Posts	I agree with Don and GT. No-one knows for sure in 1941 when the 100% switch to black Bakelite grips took place, so 1941 dated byf Lugers had both. The finish on your pistol looks to be original and the matching magazine makes a good argument for the grips also being original to the pistol. I'd say this was a great find and a keeper. Lyn