My New 1939 VOPO

Mike Kay · 10-22-2017, 05:56 AM

In my recent quest to find suitable spare magazines for my 1916 DWM P08, I visited an antique gun dealer on Friday PM who sold me 2 Swiss magazines.

As I was about to leave the shop, the owner mentioned that he had that morning received a 1939 P08 VOPO and would I like to have a look?
I took it apart and bought it in under 10 minutes!

Condition is good, with all matching numbers & 2 matching magazines, except for the barrel which is differently numbered.
The bore is in excellent condition.
The trigger feels slightly spongy/lazy, not as crisp as my 1916, I suspect that a new trigger spring will sort that out.

I've been looking for a shooter and this seems to fit the bill perfectly! I'll try it out during this coming week.

Please excuse the crappy iPhone pics the light in the shop wasn't great.

Best,
Mike

conniie · 10-22-2017, 06:43 AM

Very nice

unitedcs · 10-22-2017, 10:01 AM

forgive my ignorance but what does VOPO stand for?

Vlim · 10-22-2017, 10:20 AM

VoPo is short for Volkspolizei, or 'People's Police'.

It was the paramilitary police organization of the GDR, former Eastern Germany.

sheepherder · 10-22-2017, 10:29 AM

I am a fan of RC/VoPo Lugers (and P38's) as IMO they have a longer provenance than those that were brought back or imported after WW II. And were rebuilt to almost-new condition.

But it is somewhat unusual to find one with a 'substituted' mis-matched barrel. In general, the post-war armorers fitted new barrels to their refurbs. One would think, with their penchant for X-ing out serial numbers, they would have X-ed the mis-match number out too...

Is the bore bright & shiny, with sharp grooves & lands, no frost, no pitting, etc???

DonVoigt · 10-22-2017, 10:40 AM

Nice catch, I like them too!
Don't expect miracles from a trigger spring, it is much more likely that you just have a "mushy" trigger train. After all there are at least 3 or 4 moving parts and 4 or 5 contact points!

mrerick · 10-22-2017, 11:28 AM

It is rather difficult to tune a Luger trigger. It requires quite a bit of knowledge and practical experience to get it right and keep the gun safe.

Be very careful before making any changes. Start with a good cleaning and correct lubrication.

Mike Kay · 10-22-2017, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

I am a fan of RC/VoPo Lugers (and P38's) as IMO they have a longer provenance than those that were brought back or imported after WW II. And were rebuilt to almost-new condition.

But it is somewhat unusual to find one with a 'substituted' mis-matched barrel. In general, the post-war armorers fitted new barrels to their refurbs. One would think, with their penchant for X-ing out serial numbers, they would have X-ed the mis-match number out too...

Is the bore bright & shiny, with sharp grooves & lands, no frost, no pitting, etc???

I'm fully with you on the provenance of these guns. I'm going to get my hands on the gun on Wednesday & will check what the number on the barrel shows.
I never really checked the serial number on the barrel, I just went on what the shop owner mentioned to me. I was excited at this find and more interested in checking the condition & innards.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that barrels on some of these Lugers were replaced with barrels manufactured in Czechoslovakia?
Anyway I'll get to the bottom of the barrel numbering in the next few days....

As for the condition of the bore, it's bright shiny with sharp grooves & lands, no frost, no pitting etc.

With regards the trigger- advice taken, thanks! I'll clean, lubricate and check the spring FWIW.

Thanks & best,
Mike

rhuff · 10-22-2017, 03:30 PM

Congrats on your SECOND Luger.....it appears as though the "Luger bug" has bit you like it has so many of us on this forum!!! Enjoy

Eugen · 10-22-2017, 04:29 PM

Looks nice. Enjoy your new shooter. Keep us posted regarding your first range trip.

Curly1 · 10-23-2017, 03:26 PM

Nice looking shooter.

MAUSER88 · 10-26-2017, 03:37 PM

Nice looking VOPO. Wish I hadn't past on so many when they were in the $400.00 range back in the late 80's!

10-22-2017, 05:56 AM	#1
Mike Kay User Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: South Africa Posts: 24 Thanks: 38 Thanked 48 Times in 14 Posts	My New 1939 VOPO In my recent quest to find suitable spare magazines for my 1916 DWM P08, I visited an antique gun dealer on Friday PM who sold me 2 Swiss magazines. As I was about to leave the shop, the owner mentioned that he had that morning received a 1939 P08 VOPO and would I like to have a look? I took it apart and bought it in under 10 minutes! Condition is good, with all matching numbers & 2 matching magazines, except for the barrel which is differently numbered. The bore is in excellent condition. The trigger feels slightly spongy/lazy, not as crisp as my 1916, I suspect that a new trigger spring will sort that out. I've been looking for a shooter and this seems to fit the bill perfectly! I'll try it out during this coming week. Please excuse the crappy iPhone pics the light in the shop wasn't great. Best, Mike Attached Thumbnails

10-22-2017, 10:29 AM	#5
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,183 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	I am a fan of RC/VoPo Lugers (and P38's) as IMO they have a longer provenance than those that were brought back or imported after WW II. And were rebuilt to almost-new condition. But it is somewhat unusual to find one with a 'substituted' mis-matched barrel. In general, the post-war armorers fitted new barrels to their refurbs. One would think, with their penchant for X-ing out serial numbers, they would have X-ed the mis-match number out too... Is the bore bright & shiny, with sharp grooves & lands, no frost, no pitting, etc??? __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

10-22-2017, 10:40 AM	#6
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Nice catch, I like them too! Don't expect miracles from a trigger spring, it is much more likely that you just have a "mushy" trigger train. After all there are at least 3 or 4 moving parts and 4 or 5 contact points! __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

10-22-2017, 11:28 AM	#7
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	It is rather difficult to tune a Luger trigger. It requires quite a bit of knowledge and practical experience to get it right and keep the gun safe. Be very careful before making any changes. Start with a good cleaning and correct lubrication. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-22-2017, 03:30 PM	#9
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	Congrats on your SECOND Luger.....it appears as though the "Luger bug" has bit you like it has so many of us on this forum!!! Enjoy __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

10-22-2017, 06:43 AM	#2
conniie User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 11 Thanks: 5 Thanked 22 Times in 5 Posts	Very nice

10-22-2017, 10:01 AM	#3
unitedcs User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Land O Lakes, Florida Posts: 90 Thanks: 8 Thanked 30 Times in 15 Posts	forgive my ignorance but what does VOPO stand for?

10-22-2017, 10:20 AM	#4
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	VoPo is short for Volkspolizei, or 'People's Police'. It was the paramilitary police organization of the GDR, former Eastern Germany.

10-22-2017, 04:29 PM	#10
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 790 Thanks: 394 Thanked 631 Times in 334 Posts	Looks nice. Enjoy your new shooter. Keep us posted regarding your first range trip. __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

10-23-2017, 03:26 PM	#11
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,242 Thanks: 117 Thanked 714 Times in 371 Posts	Nice looking shooter. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

10-26-2017, 03:37 PM	#12
MAUSER88 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 257 Thanks: 5 Thanked 58 Times in 31 Posts	Nice looking VOPO. Wish I hadn't past on so many when they were in the $400.00 range back in the late 80's!