Enherited Luger, what do I have?

NISMOMIKE · 05-23-2016, 06:50 PM

I am new to this forum and was referred here by a user from Calguns forum on Tapatalk. They said this is the top site/forum for the info I am interested in finding. So here goes,
my Mother was just handed down a pistol through unfortunate circumstances. Now that the dust has settled, she and I are interested in finding out about it. What do the markings mean, what would it have been used for? The pistol is numbers matching from what I can see without dissassembly, but magazine is not. I am very unfamiliar with antique firearms. My mom is not anti gun whatsoever, but she does not want the responsibility of having a gun in her house and will likely give it to me. Any info would be great! Thanks everyone.

Ron Wood · 05-23-2016, 06:57 PM

Mike,
We would love to provide what information we can, but unfortunately your photos aren't visible. Did you use the "Go Advanced" link to post your photos? Just pasting them into the text doesn't work, you have to use the "Manage Attachments" function in the Advanced posting.
Ron

NISMOMIKE · 05-23-2016, 08:09 PM

There we go, got it fixed. Does this forum exist on Tapatalk? I looked, but was unable to find it.

guns3545 · 05-23-2016, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISMOMIKE

There we go, got it fixed. Does this forum exist on Tapatalk? I looked, but was unable to find it.

Welcome to the Forum Mike.

Well, you have a Model P.08 Luger manufactured by Mauser in Oberndorf in 1940. 42 was the code for Mauser.

The marks on the right side are proof and acceptance/inspection marks.

There were about 137,000 or so P.08s made in 1940 and yours was built in October or so. Sadly we do not detailed records to call it any closer.

Absent other information we have to assume the pistol was issued to the Army as they received the bulk of production in 1940.

hope this helps.

john

NISMOMIKE · 05-23-2016, 08:43 PM

That helps a lot! Thank you! I'm not familiar with what this pistol looked like new, so I can't tell if it appears to be well taken care of or if it has been refinished. In the other forum they mentioned something about the grip not being chipped in a common area as well. I will try to post more pictures.

tharpo · 05-23-2016, 09:54 PM

Looks like a very nice 1940 Luger. The full serial number is 9373 with a "L" suffix.
Enjoy your historical gun!

Tom

Edward Tinker · 05-23-2016, 10:19 PM

Tapatalk is an 'add-on' to a forum - not on their site and no, we don't use it

Welcome to the forum - take a look at the 'new collectors' area and see How to ID a Luger - it will give you ideas about if all matching etc.

Ed

mrerick · 05-23-2016, 11:32 PM

Our FAQs will also be helpful to you in understanding what you have. Click the FAQ link and follow the links to the PDF document you can download.

On first glance, from the photos, it appears that you probably have a collectible Luger in original finish and with matching parts. It will have to be disassembled to check some of the internal parts and the grips to be sure. Use great care when removing the grips, particularly the left one.

These Mauser made Lugers were well made and used advanced metallurgy which became available in the period.

Condition looks reasonable, but it's hard to judge finish from the photos. Perhaps 90%. It looks un-messed with, and you should keep it that way. If it's all matching, resist the temptation to load and fire it. Parts do break on these, and if they are matching they will considerably reduce the pistol's value.

The number "94" should be stamped inside the trigger side plate. Does the magazine have a matching number? You didn't photograph it so I can't tell you if it's original and period correct.

What I can see, if all matching and original finish, would be worth $1500 with a correct magazine. Perhaps more.

Marc

Sergio Natali · 05-24-2016, 04:33 AM

Mike

First off welcome to our Luger forum.

For what I can see I think you've got a very nice example of WWII Luger made by Mauser, and all its original marks seem to be crisp and untouched.
Nice acquisition I would say.

NISMOMIKE · 05-24-2016, 10:55 AM

Wow, thank you for all the great information! It's really interesting to find out or imagine what all this pistol did. Is their any identifying markings that would tell me which rank carried it? And no the magazine is not numbers matching unfortunately.

guns3545 · 05-24-2016, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISMOMIKE

Wow, thank you for all the great information! It's really interesting to find out or imagine what all this pistol did. Is their any identifying markings that would tell me which rank carried it? And no the magazine is not numbers matching unfortunately.

Mike,

P.08s, issued by the military did not carry any marks that identified the person to whom it was assigned.

Normally, P.08s were carried by Non-commissioned officers, i.e. Corporals, Sergeants, etc. and by company grade officers, i.e. Lieutenants and Captains. Also, personnel of certain crew served weapons also carried P.08s.

Most higher ranked officers carried smaller pistols, like the Walther PP, the Mauser Model 1934, Sauer 38H, and several others, mainly in 7.65 mm caliber.

Thus stories you may hear that a P.08 was taken from some General are probably exaggerated.

Best,

John

mrerick · 05-24-2016, 02:54 PM

IIRC, there was a book maintained for soldiers that listed the equipment that was issued to them. I think it was kept at a Regimental level. The chance of encountering such a book associating the soldier with your Luger is very small.

Marc

NISMOMIKE · 06-03-2016, 06:42 PM

I'm being asked if it is marked a vet bring back or import collector. How can I tell?

Ron Wood · 06-03-2016, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISMOMIKE

I'm being asked if it is marked a vet bring back or import collector. How can I tell?

The question doesn't make any sense. The only way to tell for sure if it is a vet bring back is if there is a known history of who brought it back or if there is an associated so-called "capture paper" document authorizing a soldier to possess the gun...there would not be any markings applied to the gun itself. I am not sure what is meant by the term "import collector"?

tharpo · 06-03-2016, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISMOMIKE

I'm being asked if it is marked a vet bring back or import collector. How can I tell?

Do you mean import marked? Some guns will have an U.S. importers mark stamped on them. Vet bring backs will not.

Eugen · 06-03-2016, 09:39 PM

Nismomike, welcome to the forum. You have what appears to be a very nice Luger. I hope you keep it and enjoy it. Do read the FAQS as there is a wealth of information that will increase you knowledge. Please take close up photos of the mag or mags, particularly the marings on the bottom.

Mac Cat · 06-04-2016, 11:52 AM

Nice heirlom, take care of it.
Was there anything else with the pistol ? (holster, tools, or paperwork)

Edward Tinker · 06-04-2016, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tharpo

Do you mean import marked? Some guns will have an U.S. importers mark stamped on them. Vet bring backs will not.

to add to this

- guns brought into the USA before 1968 may also be non-import marked, as it was not required before then. So, guns imported in the 1950's and 1960's or earlier would not be marked.

Just as an FYI

Eugen · 06-04-2016, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

to add to this

- guns brought into the USA before 1968 may also be non-import marked, as it was not required before then. So, guns imported in the 1950's and 1960's or earlier would not be marked.

Just as an FYI

Golly, I didn't know that. Ed, thanks, that is useful information.

05-23-2016, 06:50 PM	#1
NISMOMIKE User Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Enherited Luger, what do I have? I am new to this forum and was referred here by a user from Calguns forum on Tapatalk. They said this is the top site/forum for the info I am interested in finding. So here goes, my Mother was just handed down a pistol through unfortunate circumstances. Now that the dust has settled, she and I are interested in finding out about it. What do the markings mean, what would it have been used for? The pistol is numbers matching from what I can see without dissassembly, but magazine is not. I am very unfamiliar with antique firearms. My mom is not anti gun whatsoever, but she does not want the responsibility of having a gun in her house and will likely give it to me. Any info would be great! Thanks everyone. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by NISMOMIKE; 05-23-2016 at 08:08 PM.

05-23-2016, 06:57 PM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,178 Times in 1,703 Posts	Mike, We would love to provide what information we can, but unfortunately your photos aren't visible. Did you use the "Go Advanced" link to post your photos? Just pasting them into the text doesn't work, you have to use the "Manage Attachments" function in the Advanced posting. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-23-2016, 10:19 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,033 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	Tapatalk is an 'add-on' to a forum - not on their site and no, we don't use it Welcome to the forum - take a look at the 'new collectors' area and see How to ID a Luger - it will give you ideas about if all matching etc. Ed __________________ 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

05-23-2016, 11:32 PM	#8
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Our FAQs will also be helpful to you in understanding what you have. Click the FAQ link and follow the links to the PDF document you can download. On first glance, from the photos, it appears that you probably have a collectible Luger in original finish and with matching parts. It will have to be disassembled to check some of the internal parts and the grips to be sure. Use great care when removing the grips, particularly the left one. These Mauser made Lugers were well made and used advanced metallurgy which became available in the period. Condition looks reasonable, but it's hard to judge finish from the photos. Perhaps 90%. It looks un-messed with, and you should keep it that way. If it's all matching, resist the temptation to load and fire it. Parts do break on these, and if they are matching they will considerably reduce the pistol's value. The number "94" should be stamped inside the trigger side plate. Does the magazine have a matching number? You didn't photograph it so I can't tell you if it's original and period correct. What I can see, if all matching and original finish, would be worth $1500 with a correct magazine. Perhaps more. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

05-24-2016, 04:33 AM	#9
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Mike First off welcome to our Luger forum. For what I can see I think you've got a very nice example of WWII Luger made by Mauser, and all its original marks seem to be crisp and untouched. Nice acquisition I would say. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

05-23-2016, 08:09 PM	#3
NISMOMIKE User Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	There we go, got it fixed. Does this forum exist on Tapatalk? I looked, but was unable to find it.

05-23-2016, 08:43 PM	#5
NISMOMIKE User Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	That helps a lot! Thank you! I'm not familiar with what this pistol looked like new, so I can't tell if it appears to be well taken care of or if it has been refinished. In the other forum they mentioned something about the grip not being chipped in a common area as well. I will try to post more pictures.

05-23-2016, 09:54 PM	#6
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 543 Thanks: 116 Thanked 382 Times in 157 Posts	Looks like a very nice 1940 Luger. The full serial number is 9373 with a "L" suffix. Enjoy your historical gun! Tom

05-24-2016, 10:55 AM	#10
NISMOMIKE User Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Wow, thank you for all the great information! It's really interesting to find out or imagine what all this pistol did. Is their any identifying markings that would tell me which rank carried it? And no the magazine is not numbers matching unfortunately.

05-24-2016, 02:54 PM	#12
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	IIRC, there was a book maintained for soldiers that listed the equipment that was issued to them. I think it was kept at a Regimental level. The chance of encountering such a book associating the soldier with your Luger is very small. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

06-03-2016, 06:42 PM	#13
NISMOMIKE User Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	I'm being asked if it is marked a vet bring back or import collector. How can I tell?

06-03-2016, 09:39 PM	#16
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 790 Thanks: 394 Thanked 631 Times in 334 Posts	Nismomike, welcome to the forum. You have what appears to be a very nice Luger. I hope you keep it and enjoy it. Do read the FAQS as there is a wealth of information that will increase you knowledge. Please take close up photos of the mag or mags, particularly the marings on the bottom. __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

06-04-2016, 11:52 AM	#17
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 731 Thanks: 2,095 Thanked 610 Times in 329 Posts	Nice heirlom, take care of it. Was there anything else with the pistol ? (holster, tools, or paperwork)