Saw in a Gunshop- Opinions?

spikedmike · 09-01-2007, 06:49 PM

Hi All! I now have 3 P-08's in my collection,But I'm clueless when it comes to LP-08's...
Saw one today in Culver City(LA).
DWM 1915 all matching,but don't know about the mag..80% to 90% bluing,Grips very good..
Here's what's missing that I noticed right off..The stock Lug has been milled off..errgh. But they're asking $1595.. That I noticed right off,too.
I need enlightenment,and to see if I should pursue this one.
Opinions welcomed-Thanks-Mike-

Pete Ebbink · 09-01-2007, 06:56 PM

Mike,

With its lug off, I would consider it a "shooter" Luger...

The fun of having a LP-08 is to stock it (even with a repro stock) and shoot it...

I think I would pass...from a collector-value stand-point.

Ron Smith · 09-01-2007, 09:39 PM

I agree with Pete. An expertly refinished LP-08 is preferable to one that has been altered, IMO.

Big Norm · 09-07-2007, 01:43 PM

I'm with everyone on this one. If you are a collector, then this arty should be passed on. But you said that you had three P-08's, so maybe you would want to save those for your collection but still want to go out and have some fun shooting, then MAYBE this gun could be justified. Even then, I would work down that price a bite. Its MAYBE something that you don't really need. Sight unseen, I couldn't give you an estimate on what price you should set your goal at.
Big Norm

spikedmike · 09-07-2007, 04:31 PM

Thanks guys with your input..I'm going to wait awhile and see what shows up down the road. A famous quote on the gun forums"there will be others".
I thought the price was good,but w/o a stock lug,what's the point. I was sratching my head trying to figuer out why anyone would remove the lug. I met a guy in a gunshop that was into Lugers way back when they would come into the gunshop in big boxes with holsters going for $29.95.

Anyway he said that they remove them because of some law (who's I don't know)that was drawn up arond 1949-1950. Dumb !!

Waist!!

I'm sure this artillery is not going to sell soon.So I'll just stop by the shop in LA,Time to time and see hows it's doin.. Thanks-Mike

policeluger · 09-07-2007, 05:07 PM

I just passed on one such gun in one of the shops I gun smith for, could have had it for $800...its sold but keep looking...

Mauser720 · 09-07-2007, 06:33 PM

Regrading "the law" pertaining to Luger pistols having their stock lugs ground off, the following appears on page #394 of the book "Small Arms of the World" by Smith & Smith (copyrighted 1969):

"Many Lugers have their grips ridged for shoulder-stock holsters and the following facts should be brought to the attention of U.S. collectors. Possession of a pistol which is ridged or slotted for a shoulder stock and the stock which fits the pistol, requires under U.S. firearms laws, that the weapon be registered with the Firearms Branch, Alcohol Tax Unit, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the branch of the U.S. government which registers submachine guns and machine guns and enforces the National and Federal Firearms Acts. Failure to register this type of weapon with the above agency can result in fine or imprisonment, and at a minimum considerable trouble and embarassment. It should be noted that in addition to the Federal statutes, most states have similar laws."

I am "new" on this forum, and also a new collector. However, I assume this law must have been changed at some point. I am guessing this helps to explain why some Luger pistols have the stock slots on their frames ground off. Personally, I think it is a real shame. Anyone else have more information on this?

Ron

spikedmike · 09-07-2007, 10:16 PM

Thanks for you info,Ron. If that law was still being enforced all Lugers with stock lugs would come under that law. And I've a lot of those !!

Ron Smith · 09-07-2007, 10:17 PM

"slotted for a shoulder stock and the stock which fits the pistol,"

This was the misconception. Many people misinterpreted the regulation and thought that if it was capable of having a stock fitted, then it was illegal. Only if they had the stock with the Luger, was this true.

Ron

spikedmike · 09-07-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron Smith
"slotted for a shoulder stock and the stock which fits the pistol,"

This was the misconception. Many people misinterpreted the regulation and thought that if it was capable of having a stock fitted, then it was illegal. Only if they had the stock with the Luger, was this true.

Ron

Ah Ha ! Ron, thanks for making that clear about the law. I did not catch the"with the stock "part. -Mike-

Big Norm · 09-09-2007, 02:48 AM

Laws have changed over a period of time and will differ from state to state. Now, according to the federal law, it would be illegal to mount a stock on any P-08. The 1900 thru 1906 Lugers can legally have a set of Ideal grips with a mounted Ideal stock. The Borchardt with it specialty stock is also legal. After that, the carbine, navy and artillery Lugers can have stocks on them. Personally, I do not know if other rare stocks such as the Benke-Thiemann are legal. As collectors pieces, I assume that they are. But I doubt that anyone would take a Benke-Thiemann stock to the shooting range. It would be just too rare and expensive.

According to long ago posts on this forum, at one time, some police departments would automatically take a Luger, any Luger, into their back room and file the stock lug off of the Luger without asking whenever a luger was presented for registration. Thankfully, that police practice has stopped. (I hope). Then again, some people removed the stock lug because they thought it made the gun too uncomfortable to shoot. (It takes all kinds). Remember, at one time the Luger was just another gun and not a collectors piece. There were millions of them in the world.
Big Norm

Hugh · 09-21-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

After that, the carbine, navy and artillery Lugers can have stocks on them.

Only if it is the correct style stock. A navy stock on an artillery Luger is illegal as is an artillery Luger stock on a navy Luger. However, I believe that a repro stock of the correct style is now also legal, according to a recent BTAF ruling.

John Sabato · 09-24-2007, 10:55 AM

The correct versions of these firearms including the correct stock (Navy, Artillery, or other special Lugers as listed by BATFE on their website) became exempted from the provisions of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) when BATFE placed them on the "Curios and Relics" List...

MikeP · 09-24-2007, 03:28 PM

Prior to entering service in '66, I had a stone mint broomhandle rig.
Matched stock, acessories, I got from the vet for $75.
I had it in my dorm room and got "caught" with it.
That was no biggie at that time, but they were concerned about my '28 Thomson "army rifle."
I was not arrested, but the feds "allowed" me to "abandon" them.
The Thompson was a crappy rewat, only cost a hundred bucks, but that broom was a beaut.
Memories...

09-01-2007, 06:49 PM	#1
spikedmike User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Laguna Hills,Ca. Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Saw in a Gunshop- Opinions? Hi All! I now have 3 P-08's in my collection,But I'm clueless when it comes to LP-08's... Saw one today in Culver City(LA). DWM 1915 all matching,but don't know about the mag..80% to 90% bluing,Grips very good.. Here's what's missing that I noticed right off..The stock Lug has been milled off..errgh. But they're asking $1595.. That I noticed right off,too. I need enlightenment,and to see if I should pursue this one. Opinions welcomed-Thanks-Mike- __________________ WARNING:Good Guns,Bad Dogs

09-07-2007, 04:31 PM	#5
spikedmike User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Laguna Hills,Ca. Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks guys with your input..I'm going to wait awhile and see what shows up down the road. A famous quote on the gun forums"there will be others". I thought the price was good,but w/o a stock lug,what's the point. I was sratching my head trying to figuer out why anyone would remove the lug. I met a guy in a gunshop that was into Lugers way back when they would come into the gunshop in big boxes with holsters going for $29.95. Anyway he said that they remove them because of some law (who's I don't know)that was drawn up arond 1949-1950. Dumb !! Waist!! I'm sure this artillery is not going to sell soon.So I'll just stop by the shop in LA,Time to time and see hows it's doin.. Thanks-Mike __________________ WARNING:Good Guns,Bad Dogs

09-07-2007, 06:33 PM	#7
Mauser720 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 535 Thanks: 18 Thanked 49 Times in 33 Posts	Regrading "the law" pertaining to Luger pistols having their stock lugs ground off, the following appears on page #394 of the book "Small Arms of the World" by Smith & Smith (copyrighted 1969): "Many Lugers have their grips ridged for shoulder-stock holsters and the following facts should be brought to the attention of U.S. collectors. Possession of a pistol which is ridged or slotted for a shoulder stock and the stock which fits the pistol, requires under U.S. firearms laws, that the weapon be registered with the Firearms Branch, Alcohol Tax Unit, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the branch of the U.S. government which registers submachine guns and machine guns and enforces the National and Federal Firearms Acts. Failure to register this type of weapon with the above agency can result in fine or imprisonment, and at a minimum considerable trouble and embarassment. It should be noted that in addition to the Federal statutes, most states have similar laws." I am "new" on this forum, and also a new collector. However, I assume this law must have been changed at some point. I am guessing this helps to explain why some Luger pistols have the stock slots on their frames ground off. Personally, I think it is a real shame. Anyone else have more information on this? Ron __________________ Mauser720 - Ron "Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it."

09-07-2007, 10:16 PM	#8
spikedmike User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Laguna Hills,Ca. Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for you info,Ron. If that law was still being enforced all Lugers with stock lugs would come under that law. And I've a lot of those !! __________________ WARNING:Good Guns,Bad Dogs

09-07-2007, 10:17 PM	#9
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	"slotted for a shoulder stock and the stock which fits the pistol," This was the misconception. Many people misinterpreted the regulation and thought that if it was capable of having a stock fitted, then it was illegal. Only if they had the stock with the Luger, was this true. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

09-01-2007, 06:56 PM	#2
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Mike, With its lug off, I would consider it a "shooter" Luger... The fun of having a LP-08 is to stock it (even with a repro stock) and shoot it... I think I would pass...from a collector-value stand-point.

09-01-2007, 09:39 PM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I agree with Pete. An expertly refinished LP-08 is preferable to one that has been altered, IMO. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

09-07-2007, 01:43 PM	#4
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I'm with everyone on this one. If you are a collector, then this arty should be passed on. But you said that you had three P-08's, so maybe you would want to save those for your collection but still want to go out and have some fun shooting, then MAYBE this gun could be justified. Even then, I would work down that price a bite. Its MAYBE something that you don't really need. Sight unseen, I couldn't give you an estimate on what price you should set your goal at. Big Norm

09-07-2007, 05:07 PM	#6
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	I just passed on one such gun in one of the shops I gun smith for, could have had it for $800...its sold but keep looking...

09-09-2007, 02:48 AM	#11
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Laws have changed over a period of time and will differ from state to state. Now, according to the federal law, it would be illegal to mount a stock on any P-08. The 1900 thru 1906 Lugers can legally have a set of Ideal grips with a mounted Ideal stock. The Borchardt with it specialty stock is also legal. After that, the carbine, navy and artillery Lugers can have stocks on them. Personally, I do not know if other rare stocks such as the Benke-Thiemann are legal. As collectors pieces, I assume that they are. But I doubt that anyone would take a Benke-Thiemann stock to the shooting range. It would be just too rare and expensive. According to long ago posts on this forum, at one time, some police departments would automatically take a Luger, any Luger, into their back room and file the stock lug off of the Luger without asking whenever a luger was presented for registration. Thankfully, that police practice has stopped. (I hope). Then again, some people removed the stock lug because they thought it made the gun too uncomfortable to shoot. (It takes all kinds). Remember, at one time the Luger was just another gun and not a collectors piece. There were millions of them in the world. Big Norm

09-24-2007, 10:55 AM	#13
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	The correct versions of these firearms including the correct stock (Navy, Artillery, or other special Lugers as listed by BATFE on their website) became exempted from the provisions of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) when BATFE placed them on the "Curios and Relics" List... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-24-2007, 03:28 PM	#14
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Prior to entering service in '66, I had a stone mint broomhandle rig. Matched stock, acessories, I got from the vet for $75. I had it in my dorm room and got "caught" with it. That was no biggie at that time, but they were concerned about my '28 Thomson "army rifle." I was not arrested, but the feds "allowed" me to "abandon" them. The Thompson was a crappy rewat, only cost a hundred bucks, but that broom was a beaut. Memories...