LugerForum Discussion Forums my profile | register | faq | search
upload photo | donate | calendar

Go Back   LugerForum Discussion Forums > Luger Discussion Forums > All P-08 Military Lugers

Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
Unread 09-22-2023, 05:19 PM   #1
Chuwee81
New User
 
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 3
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 2 Posts
Default 1939 42 P08 vet bring back

Good afternoon, new member here. Just acquired a very new to me Luger P08 from a co-worker. He got a buyer's remorse from buying this one (he is a young guy, mid 20's - prefer something he can shoot, than a collection - he bought my Sig MCX before). I told him if I can make payments on it then I'll take it off his hands. He asked for what he paid from the gun store, which was around $2,300 after tax.
Back story, 15 years ago this gun was brought in to that gun store and this lady's husband bought it. Then sadly the husband passed away and she brought it back to the store to re-sell it. After the store re-appraised it, it was put back on for sale and my co-worker bought it. I took it apart, cleaned and re-oiled it. It didn't seem to be shot much at all after the old man bought it.

Details:
* S/N: 1771u, parts seemed to be matching even the firing pin. barrel has 8.83 marking. Slide/ barrel extension seemed to develop patina as it is purplish color now. it is dated 1939, 42. It chambers a 9mm dummy round so I believe this is in 9mm caliber.

Magazine is not matching.

Holster is 1939 dated, Karl Bocker, Waldbrol and a Nazi eagle stamp on the back of it.
What is interesting about this holster is that it has 2 ink stamps with a name: Major Walter Musta O-373141.
At first I thought he was a German officer but after researching a bit, found out he was an American and served in the medical corps. I found the following article mentioning his name:

TROOPSHIPS EN ROUTE OVERSEAS
Psychiatric Breakdowns
Little data are available on psychiatric breakdowns occurring en route overseas. Major Flumerfelt personally studied a British soldier after a suicidal attempt aboard ship. The case seemed to be a reaction to frustration; the soldier involved had had long service in Africa and, just when he expected shipment to his home, had found that he had been reassigned to the Near East. Major Flumerfelt also quoted a personal communication from Maj. Walter Musta, MC, who found that the less stable troops were more subject to seasickness. Maj. Theodore P. Suratt, MC, who was the 44th Division psychiatrist, did not recall any outstanding problem with the division troops en route overseas. Lt. Peter J. Brdar, who, while in service, was an officer of the Medical Administrative Corps but later became a psychiatrist, reminisced about a passage overseas on a Liberty Ship, as follows:

Also his name showed up here:
http://accident-report.com/officers/...40/3540m5.html

It seemed he was involved in an aviation incident/ accident during the war. His Officer number matched the one from the holster. I believed he survived it because I also found out a Walter Musta from From Ancient faces.com. I located Walter Musta and his age range put him as 30 years old in 1939 and approximately 35-36 years old at the end of WW2 in 1945. Musta, W DOB is listed as Nov 22, 1909 out of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio – 44111 and he passed away in May 1978 at approximately 68 years old. From Ancestry.com, it seemed like Walter was born in Austria-Hungary and was naturalized.

Overall I am happy with what I have, it's impressive to see the tightness in the fittings compared to modern pistols. Hopefully I can just sit on this as future investment. My 12 year old daughter is into WW2 history and I showed her this thing. I told her this might be hers someday. Oh also if you find out more info on Major Musta, please share here. Thanks
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20230922_144442.jpg
Views:	623
Size:	100.6 KB
ID:	87383  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20230922_144427.jpg
Views:	622
Size:	82.5 KB
ID:	87384  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20230922_144452.jpg
Views:	615
Size:	89.1 KB
ID:	87385  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20230922_144509.jpg
Views:	637
Size:	72.6 KB
ID:	87386  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20230922_144702.jpg
Views:	639
Size:	196.1 KB
ID:	87387  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20230922_144711.jpg
Views:	608
Size:	168.9 KB
ID:	87388  

Click image for larger version

Name:	Capture.PNG
Views:	604
Size:	22.7 KB
ID:	87389  

Chuwee81 is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 12 members says Thank You to Chuwee81 for your post:
Unread 09-23-2023, 01:22 AM   #2
Mac Cat
Lifer
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
Mac Cat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 725
Thanks: 2,090
Thanked 606 Times in 327 Posts
Default

Interesting research on the soldiers.

It's an Army P.08 and the proofs on the right receiver are probably two Stick Eagle/63 (SE/63).
The one on the third one is a TP-3 eagle over a tiny swastika - the test proof.
There is another one on the barrel.

When I saw your luger and it's purplish hue (also called "plum") the first thing I thought of was a 1939 Mauser. They were still working out the way they finished the guns and many of them have plum coloring on various parts. It probably has alway has the plum coloring - it's not from aging..

The 8.83 is the barrel gauge measurement.

It was produced late in the 1942.
(earlier 1939 Mauser P.08s still had the "S/42" toggle stamp)

What does the magazine look like ?

The only concern I see right now is on the right rear toggle there is some scraping.
That made me wonder if the right ear has been bent and is pressing on that rear toggle link.
I could be wrong about that, but look it over carefully.
See my photo, below:
Attached Images
 
Mac Cat is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 3 members says Thank You to Mac Cat for your post:
Unread 09-23-2023, 10:19 AM   #3
Kiwi
User
 
Kiwi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wrong side of the Delaware river
Posts: 305
Thanks: 215
Thanked 434 Times in 171 Posts
Default

Amazing eyes Mac Cat to notice that detail
Now if I can just find my white cane I am off to get a dog.
Kiwi is offline   Reply With Quote
The following member says Thank You to Kiwi for your post:
Unread 09-25-2023, 10:54 PM   #4
RichSr
User
 
RichSr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: West Texas
Posts: 128
Thanks: 153
Thanked 54 Times in 36 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mac Cat View Post
It was produced late in the 1942.
(earlier 1939 Mauser P.08s still had the "S/42" toggle stamp)
It was manufactured by Mauser in the middle of 1939. Later 1939 produced P08 had E/655 markings not E/63. 1942 vintage were BYF 42 marked
__________________
Rich
RichSr is offline   Reply With Quote
The following member says Thank You to RichSr for your post:
Unread 09-26-2023, 03:12 PM   #5
lugerholsterrepair
Moderator
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
lugerholsterrepair's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Arizona/Colorado
Posts: 7,771
Thanks: 4,928
Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts
Default

Get some lanolin on that holster before it's too late.
__________________
Jerry Burney
11491 S. Guadalupe Drive

Yuma AZ 85367-6182


lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net

928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round
719 207-3331 (cell)


"For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."
lugerholsterrepair is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 2 members says Thank You to lugerholsterrepair for your post:
Unread 09-26-2023, 11:06 PM   #6
Edward Tinker
Super Moderator
Eternal Lifer
LugerForum
Patron
 
Edward Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: North of Spokane, WA
Posts: 15,931
Thanks: 2,031
Thanked 4,527 Times in 2,090 Posts
Default

ref holster, I use Connolys Hide Food - it will slightly darken your holster, but its the best as far as I am concerned. Other stuff, black rock, others are too thick for me.

I think the price paid is reasonable, its a nice 1939, just as the war started.

I'm not sure of the toggle making a scrape, not sure what caused that wear.
__________________
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

Edward Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 2 members says Thank You to Edward Tinker for your post:
Unread 09-27-2023, 07:25 PM   #7
lugerholsterrepair
Moderator
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
lugerholsterrepair's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Arizona/Colorado
Posts: 7,771
Thanks: 4,928
Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts
Default

Connolly's Hide Food was changed to Connolly's Hide Care several years ago, forced by the FDA as idiots were eating it. And ut's not a food.
__________________
Jerry Burney
11491 S. Guadalupe Drive

Yuma AZ 85367-6182


lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net

928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round
719 207-3331 (cell)


"For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."
lugerholsterrepair is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 4 members says Thank You to lugerholsterrepair for your post:
Unread 10-02-2023, 08:53 AM   #8
Chuwee81
New User
 
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 3
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Thanks for all the reply. I just came back from an out of town trip. I'll look into the leather care products and the scrape marks.

I did look into it a little bit and the toggle seemed to be moving freely. Surprisingly, i noticed more wear marks on the left ear on the inside. the inside of the right ear is smooth. I don't know if there were debris trapped between the 2 pieces of metal from when the prev owner had it. I played with it a bit before field stripping and re-lube. I noticed there was barely lubrication overall.
Chuwee81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10-02-2023, 09:43 AM   #9
gunbugs
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
gunbugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose.
Posts: 658
Thanks: 365
Thanked 1,175 Times in 393 Posts
Default

I've got a couple with similar rubs. Sometimes they are just fitted up a little tight...
gunbugs is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10-02-2023, 10:22 PM   #10
ithacaartist
Twice a Lifer
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
ithacaartist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY
Posts: 3,343
Thanks: 7,264
Thanked 2,576 Times in 1,364 Posts
Default

Check to see that the forks of the barrel extension are not ever so slightly bent or twisted.
__________________
"... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894
ithacaartist is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10-06-2023, 07:30 PM   #11
Chuwee81
New User
 
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 3
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ithacaartist View Post
Check to see that the forks of the barrel extension are not ever so slightly bent or twisted.
It seems with just human eye observation, everything is pretty much straight. Pics added.

Also the magazine has aluminum base
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20231006_172043.jpg
Views:	613
Size:	125.0 KB
ID:	87506  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20231006_172148.jpg
Views:	597
Size:	107.3 KB
ID:	87507  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20231006_172212.jpg
Views:	608
Size:	126.3 KB
ID:	87508  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20231006_172220.jpg
Views:	636
Size:	126.8 KB
ID:	87509  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20231006_172233.jpg
Views:	600
Size:	106.6 KB
ID:	87510  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20231006_172253.jpg
Views:	604
Size:	108.6 KB
ID:	87511  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20231006_172305.jpg
Views:	595
Size:	121.1 KB
ID:	87512  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20231006_172319.jpg
Views:	601
Size:	150.5 KB
ID:	87513  

Click image for larger version

Name:	20231006_172337.jpg
Views:	592
Size:	127.7 KB
ID:	87514  

Chuwee81 is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 2 members says Thank You to Chuwee81 for your post:
Unread 10-07-2023, 12:48 AM   #12
gunbugs
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
gunbugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose.
Posts: 658
Thanks: 365
Thanked 1,175 Times in 393 Posts
Default

Just a light rub. I don't think anything is wrong with the gun.
gunbugs is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10-08-2023, 10:24 PM   #13
mrerick
Super Moderator - Patron
LugerForum
Life Patron
 
mrerick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA
Posts: 3,909
Thanks: 1,374
Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts
Default

Welcome to the forum. It's a nice luger. If all matching and in original finish it would be considered collectible.

The "42" on the toggle is Mauser's concealment code, not a date.

These were hand fit, and well crafted in 1939 when it was produced.

We publish a reference FAQ document on this site. Just follow the FAQ link at the top of pages to locate the post with the PDF files.

This pistol has been fired (it did serve in war) and that is what the rubbing likely reflects. If it cycles smoothly it's likely just tight fitting.
__________________
Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum -
- Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.
mrerick is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03-10-2024, 08:40 PM   #14
big open
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: northwest Montana in a remote area.
Posts: 96
Thanks: 0
Thanked 66 Times in 27 Posts
Default

I have a 1939 luger that is all matching except for the extruded aluminum bottom magazine. It retains approx.90+ % of the original finish and it's bore is very bright. The wooden grip panels are in very good condition and appear original but are unnumbered. Are unnumbered grip panels correct for a 1939 dated luger? I have fired the luger but just enough to verify proper function. I've had the luger for more than 40 years and don't intend to shoot it again. My shooter luger (a 1938 dated S/42) has one mismatched numbered part and will do all my luger shooting activities.
big open is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:47 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 1998 - 2024, Lugerforum.com