Mauser Artillery 1945-6 - #855- French assembled at Oberndorf

[DonVoigt]

I picked up today this interesting Mauser L P08 variant which was assembled from parts in the Mauser factory after the French occupied the factory. The French assembled some 2500 to 3500 lugers(from June 1945 to April 1947) ; the large majority being 4" P 08s, and "very few" of the 8" L P 08. Finish is hot blue, and most grips were wood, with one set noted to have E/135 acceptance markings.

These lugers are classed into 3 main varieties, some with a "star" before the serial number on the left chamber and no date; others with the Eagle over N nitro proof, either under or in front of the serial on the left chamber and no date, and finally those with the E/N left of the serial with a "42" date receiver.

Some 1200 or so of the second type were transferred to the Austrian Army in 1955 and have an additional "BH" applied, for Bundesheer

This example is of the second type, and has wood grips- also with the E/135 acceptance of Mauser. The pistol is in near new condition with some handling marks. Other markings are minimal, with the last 2 digits of the serial on the take down lever, side plate, mid "Banner" toggle link, and rear toggle link. Some pistols had numbers on the sear bar, and toggle pin- this one does not.
The magazine is the fxo type, sans any markings on the body, and with only "855" on the aluminum base. Barrels had no marking other than the alignment mark.

The story is gleaned from The Mauser Parabellum 1930-1946, Hallock and van de Kamp, and to their contributors. One of whom is our own member Joel Giraudeau. Thanks to all for the great info contained in Chapter 34,on pages 593 to 604. Serial numbers of approximately 100 P 08s are listed, and 10 L P 08s; the lowest number noted is #96, and the highest #3,334

This luger is numbered 855, and its brother #854 is listed by serial number and was brought home by a returning Gi. The story noted is that this GI, a lieutenant, bought 12 of these "French lugers" from the French authorities, 6 with 4" and 6 with 8" barrels(for $6 each at the time).

I like to imagine that this example is one of the other five that this guy bought and distributed to his battalion.

The Mauser Werke was destroyed in 1947, before destruction much of the machinery and parts had been sent to France.

Pictures of the Mauser/French L P 08 are below.

For those interested in such things, there is no obdurating ring in the chamber, but it does look like it has been removed by reaming- sorry but it is impossible(at least for me) to photograph.

How I came to buy this pistol is almost as interesting as its history.
I saw it online at the price of a good 4" shooter, and figured it was something someone put together -
well it was a "put together"- by the French in Oberndorf in early 1946!

I believe there are some other threads on these French Mauser Lugers, I'll add the links when I find them, or someone else feel free to add a link, or post another French Mauser luger!