Opinions on 1937 S/42

[JimD]

A friend of my son has this Luger that was bought many years ago. The original seller said his dad brought it back after the war.

The gun strikes me as refinished and the magazine base looks like it was ground and restamped to match the gun. However, the letter suffix does not match. Probably because the match-maker didn't know the letter was part of the serial number, but the font looks good.

The holster also looks boosted by the addition of stampings to the back. I told my son that the value as a shooter would be between $1000-1200. Am I pretty close?

[gunnertwo]

Better pics are needed to give good assessment. Top, sides and underside. Thanks.

G2

[velodog455~]

If you are certain that it is a refinish then of course all collectibility is gone and the magazine is just a magazine.

So, it is a shooter grade at that point, but for someone to buy it to actually shoot then a VG bore condition or better is high on my list of must haves. I personally won't buy a shooter grade P.08 unless the bore condition is 75% or better, no matter how good it looks.

So... if the bore is really good then yes, I think $1,000-$2,000 is in the ball park. If it has a fair to poor bore then I would rate it at more like $750.

On the other hand, bore condition aside, then there is likely $1,000 worth of parts in that P.08, but then it's really not a "shooter grade at that point; it's more of a "parts grade" item, IMHO. Just my opinion, others may differ.
-Bob

[HerrKaiser]

I’m not sure this is a refinish instead it just being a dip-blued 1937 from later in the year. 1937 was the transition from rust blue and straw to the dip blue process.

[JimD]

Thanks for the opinions. Unfortunately the gun is on the other side of the country so I can't examine it in person and my son is not experienced enough to form an opinion.

I'll see if he can get better photos.

What is the serial number suffix letter?

[tharpo]

Is there breach block damage next to the extractor?

[JimD]

Originally Posted by tharpo

Is there breach block damage next to the extractor?

I don't know but see what you mean. I'll find out.

My son doesn't see the owner very often so it may be a while until I can get more details.

As for now, I don't know that the gun is for sale but I think the guy is considering it.

On the Jan Still Luger Forums there is a photo of 1937 S/42 letter suffixes and the one I posted looks the closest to W.
https://www.lugerforums.com/threads/...mauser.130846/

That would make it a late, all blue model.

Any observations on the holster? It looks like a period holster to which someone added markings.

[tharpo]

Yes that suffix is a "w".
The holster stamps do look suspicious. The were not stamping "P.08" on holsters in 1937.

[gunbugs]

A somewhat comparable late finish 1937 S/42 for comparison. No letter suffix. Plenty of original blue.

https://forum.lugerforum.com/attachm...1&d=1728190746

https://forum.lugerforum.com/attachm...1&d=1728190746

https://forum.lugerforum.com/attachm...1&d=1728190746

https://forum.lugerforum.com/attachm...1&d=1728190746

[JimD]

Thanks for the photos. It looks like the one I posted is probably the original finish.

[aldo35]

I agree with tharpo's obsevation the breach block is damaged. I had seen a similar. I don't think it's safe to shoot, suggest you check with an expert.

[JimD]

Will do, thanks.

[Randall_G]

Replacement breech blocks are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

My 1939 P08 had a chip like that, on the right side vs. left side of the extractor. I went through multiple ejectors (3) before I installed a replacement breech block; the ejector hasn't failed since. On the other hand, based on what I've read on the 'net, other people have fired Lugers with chipped breech blocks with no adverse side effects.

[wlyon]

Never fire any firearm with a defective part !!!!!