German Mauser S/42 P08 Luger 9x19mm Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R 1937
SOLD FOR: $1,675
WOA#: WY240117SS009
Make: Mauser, Oberndorf am Neckar (S/42 was the pre-war factory code for Mauser)
Model: P08 Luger
Serial Number: 821a
Year of Manufacture: 1937
Caliber: 9x19mm (9mm Luger)
Action Type: Toggle-locked recoil-operated semi-automatic, 8 round detachable magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “821”. The top of the slide is marked “1937”. The right side of the slide is marked with a proof mark and two waffenamts. The top left side of the barrel is marked with a waffenamt. The right side of the barrel is marked with a proof mark. The underside of the barrel is marked “821”. The front side of the frame is marked “821 a “. The left rear side of the frame is marked “Gesichert” which means ‘safe’ or ‘secured’ in German. The trigger bar, trigger, takedown lever, side plate, top interior surface of the frame, slide pin, extractor, front toggle link, rear toggle link, left side of the bolt, firing pin, and interior surfaces of the grip panels are all marked “21”. The front toggle link is also marked “S/42”. The magazine with the metal end piece is marked “1330 s” and with a waffenamt. There are various small proof and acceptance marks throughout.
Barrel Length: 3.9”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a barrel mounted base . The rear sight is a v-notch blade integral to the toggle link.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered wood. There are scuffs, scratches, and discoloration throughout. Some of the peaks have been compressed on both panels. The right panel has a thin black line on both the exterior and interior sides. Both panels are worn around the screw relief at the bottom. There are no apparent cracks. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 8 round magazine with metal follower and metal end piece. 2x 8 round magazines with plastic followers and end pieces. The magazines are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is defined. There is heavy erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 5 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout. There is thinning and usage wear to the finish on the toggle links and slide. Both sides of the barrel near the muzzle and the side plate have what appears to be holster wear to their finish. The bottom edges of the trigger guard have finish wear. There is wear to the finish at the rear of the frame and at the front of the bottom of the grip. The safety lever has worn a line into the side of the frame. The screw heads show light use. The pins are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a black padded hard case with 3x magazines.
Our Assessment: Designed by Georg Luger in the late 1890s, the Luger and its variants would become some of the most famous military handguns of the 20th century. The Luger is known for its distinctive toggle-lock action which is easy to spot with the large knurled knobs on either side of the slide. Variants of the Luger would be adopted by Switzerland and most notably the German Empire, as the P08. The P08, chambered in what has become eponymously named 9mm Luger, served as the primary German service pistol through the First World War into the Second, even though it was officially supplanted by the P38 in 1938. This example was built in 1937 by Mauser in Oberndorf. It retains a fair number of waffenamts, showing that it was accepted into German service. Most of the finish remains, with thinning on the slide and toggle links, as well as holster wear on the barrel and side plate. The grip panels have wear to them, but it appears to be superficial. The bore is semi-bright, but there is quite a bit of erosion present. Aside from the marked magazine, all of the serialized parts match. This is a good example of a late pre-war P08 that would fit into any German or Second World War collection. Please see our photos.
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