My New Luger P.08 has finally arrived! byf 41, Help Needed

RylanBrissette · 12-14-2007, 10:16 PM

Anybody remember like a month ago when I said I bought a Luger? Well, it has finally arrived in the mail today. Took a while eh?

Well I have just finished taking apart my new luger and it was pretty dirty, so I gave it a good clean and took some pictures (some before and after cleaning). Everything (except the side plate) matches and is marked "22".

After looking over the pistol here are a few important points/questions:
-The black bakelite grips appear to be original, but second opinions are wanted.
-The blueing I think could be original and is about 85%+
-There for some reason is no suffix letter??

I will post many pictures for you all and your help in appriated.

RylanBrissette · 12-14-2007, 10:23 PM

These are a few random photos:

This is what my Luger currently looks like

Zamo · 12-15-2007, 02:17 AM

I share your pain and joy. I just recieved my 2nd Luger, a 1917 DWM last week, after about a month of shipping hassles and delays. The wait was horrible, but the reception very much worth it.
I am afraid I am going to have to defer to the experts on the hanging mag problem. Do you have a 2nd mag to try? Have you tried inserting a magazine with the grips off, to try and precisely "eye-ball" the offending obstruction?

RylanBrissette · 12-15-2007, 02:19 AM

Okay, I have figured out that the take-down lever is the problem. It must be mis shapen because it does not fit into either of my lugers. I have taken the take down lever off of my other luger and it fits great.

Should I take it to a gun smith??

Just noticed... this P.08 does NOT have any letter suffix. Is that correct?

RylanBrissette · 12-15-2007, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zamo
I share your pain and joy. I just recieved my 2nd Luger, a 1917 DWM last week, after about a month of shipping hassles and delays. The wait was horrible, but the reception very much worth it.
I am afraid I am going to have to defer to the experts on the hanging mag problem. Do you have a 2nd mag to try? Have you tried inserting a magazine with the grips off, to try and precisely "eye-ball" the offending obstruction?

Well maybe obstruction wasn't the right word to use, I kinda typed it out in a hurry. I think the magazine realease button is set too far in or something because the inside "catch", makes inserting the mag a but difficult. Where as I think it should be more smooth. I have tried several mags, same results.

RylanBrissette · 12-18-2007, 09:02 PM

Any thoughts on why this P.08 does not have a suffix letter?

or why the take down lever does not fit? I am in need of some Luger expertise. All opinions wanted.

Thanks,
Rylan

LugerVern · 12-18-2007, 10:20 PM

The take down lever is most likely OK, just tight.

Make sure the pin in the frame has not backed out.
Insert the takedown lever and when resistance is felt apply upward force while pushing in ( by hand) this will force the pin in the frame down and allow the take down lever to center and move forward.

Vern

MFC · 12-18-2007, 11:38 PM

Most pins pertrude a little through the frame. In your second to last picture, you can see that the pin is not even flush with the frame. Try to seat it farther down into the hole before you put the lever in. It might be stuck in place and not moving down when the lever is inserted. Then do what Vern said .
Mike C.

RylanBrissette · 12-19-2007, 12:15 AM

Well I have tried what you have suggested, I see what you mean by the pin not being flush with the frame. However, I do not really know how to get it in further. Is there some sort of a trick to getting this pin in?? Would I need like a "drift" or any other tool for this? If so I am out of luck

LugerVern · 12-19-2007, 01:16 AM

Do not use a drift pin or hammer!

Try inserting the lever without the upper in place.

Here you will be able to push down on the lever from inside the frame and get a good feel for alignment. After you get it inserted, put your upper on.

Please do not hammer on it!

Vern

RylanBrissette · 12-19-2007, 02:13 AM

Okay, well thank god I got that take down lever in! I tried with my hands many times to get that lever in with no luck. I listened to all your advice but was still unable to do it until I had an idea. Believe it or not I used a golf tee to push down on the corner of the lever while inserted, and it went down enought for me to put it in.

I am glad to have that problem out of the way, my only other question is concerning the fact that a suffix letter is absent. Why is that?

Thanks again

wworker · 12-19-2007, 07:10 AM

Your serial number without the letter suffix indicates that the Luger was in the first batch of 9999 serial numbers for the year it was made. Each successive batch of 9999 Lugers would have the appropriate letter suffix.

1st batch: 1 to 9999
2nd batch: 1a to 9999a
3rd batch: 1b to 9999b
etc.

Frank · 12-19-2007, 08:18 AM

Rylan, just to add to the previous post, your pistol 8822, with Waffenamt Marks of E/135 and E/135 is in the early range of these inspection marks. They begin around 7500 (no suffix) and continue for the remainder of the 41 byf production. Most 41 byf Lugers are WaA E/655 and E/655.

Lugerdoc · 12-19-2007, 09:01 AM

Frank et al, the E/655 acceptance mark PRECEDED the E/135 and the 1941 PO8 range began in the "n" suffix block with 42 code mid toggle links. So a BYF with E/135 would be LATER 41 production. Mauser did not start each years production at 1 no suffix, as was the case in WW1 production. TH

12-14-2007, 10:16 PM	#1
RylanBrissette User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 189 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	My New Luger P.08 has finally arrived! byf 41, Help Needed Anybody remember like a month ago when I said I bought a Luger? Well, it has finally arrived in the mail today. Took a while eh? Well I have just finished taking apart my new luger and it was pretty dirty, so I gave it a good clean and took some pictures (some before and after cleaning). Everything (except the side plate) matches and is marked "22". After looking over the pistol here are a few important points/questions: -The black bakelite grips appear to be original, but second opinions are wanted. -The blueing I think could be original and is about 85%+ -There for some reason is no suffix letter?? I will post many pictures for you all and your help in appriated.

12-18-2007, 11:38 PM	#8
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Most pins pertrude a little through the frame. In your second to last picture, you can see that the pin is not even flush with the frame. Try to seat it farther down into the hole before you put the lever in. It might be stuck in place and not moving down when the lever is inserted. Then do what Vern said . Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

12-19-2007, 09:01 AM	#14
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Frank et al, the E/655 acceptance mark PRECEDED the E/135 and the 1941 PO8 range began in the "n" suffix block with 42 code mid toggle links. So a BYF with E/135 would be LATER 41 production. Mauser did not start each years production at 1 no suffix, as was the case in WW1 production. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 [email protected]

12-14-2007, 10:23 PM	#2
RylanBrissette User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 189 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	These are a few random photos: This is what my Luger currently looks like

12-15-2007, 02:17 AM	#3
Zamo User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 142 Thanks: 4 Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts	I share your pain and joy. I just recieved my 2nd Luger, a 1917 DWM last week, after about a month of shipping hassles and delays. The wait was horrible, but the reception very much worth it. I am afraid I am going to have to defer to the experts on the hanging mag problem. Do you have a 2nd mag to try? Have you tried inserting a magazine with the grips off, to try and precisely "eye-ball" the offending obstruction?

12-15-2007, 02:19 AM	#4
RylanBrissette User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 189 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Okay, I have figured out that the take-down lever is the problem. It must be mis shapen because it does not fit into either of my lugers. I have taken the take down lever off of my other luger and it fits great. Should I take it to a gun smith?? Just noticed... this P.08 does NOT have any letter suffix. Is that correct?

12-18-2007, 09:02 PM	#6
RylanBrissette User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 189 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Any thoughts on why this P.08 does not have a suffix letter? or why the take down lever does not fit? I am in need of some Luger expertise. All opinions wanted. Thanks, Rylan

12-18-2007, 10:20 PM	#7
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	The take down lever is most likely OK, just tight. Make sure the pin in the frame has not backed out. Insert the takedown lever and when resistance is felt apply upward force while pushing in ( by hand) this will force the pin in the frame down and allow the take down lever to center and move forward. Vern

12-19-2007, 12:15 AM	#9
RylanBrissette User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 189 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Well I have tried what you have suggested, I see what you mean by the pin not being flush with the frame. However, I do not really know how to get it in further. Is there some sort of a trick to getting this pin in?? Would I need like a "drift" or any other tool for this? If so I am out of luck

12-19-2007, 01:16 AM	#10
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	Do not use a drift pin or hammer! Try inserting the lever without the upper in place. Here you will be able to push down on the lever from inside the frame and get a good feel for alignment. After you get it inserted, put your upper on. Please do not hammer on it! Vern

12-19-2007, 02:13 AM	#11
RylanBrissette User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 189 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Okay, well thank god I got that take down lever in! I tried with my hands many times to get that lever in with no luck. I listened to all your advice but was still unable to do it until I had an idea. Believe it or not I used a golf tee to push down on the corner of the lever while inserted, and it went down enought for me to put it in. I am glad to have that problem out of the way, my only other question is concerning the fact that a suffix letter is absent. Why is that? Thanks again

12-19-2007, 07:10 AM	#12
wworker User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Your serial number without the letter suffix indicates that the Luger was in the first batch of 9999 serial numbers for the year it was made. Each successive batch of 9999 Lugers would have the appropriate letter suffix. 1st batch: 1 to 9999 2nd batch: 1a to 9999a 3rd batch: 1b to 9999b etc.

12-19-2007, 08:18 AM	#13
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Rylan, just to add to the previous post, your pistol 8822, with Waffenamt Marks of E/135 and E/135 is in the early range of these inspection marks. They begin around 7500 (no suffix) and continue for the remainder of the 41 byf production. Most 41 byf Lugers are WaA E/655 and E/655.