My latest P08

[Houdini6]

I am new to collecting Lugers. I just bought a P08. I was drawn to it because of how clean it was, how much of the finish is remaining and that it is all matching. It is a 1940 with a "42" on the toggle. The serial number is 3288 and there is a script "M" below the serial number. It has what looks like a double eagle over 656 and a single eagle over 355. These are on the right side of the frame and next to a nazi eagle. There are similar nazi eagle proof scattered aroung the pistol. Can anyone tell me more about this? What doest the script "M" mean?

[alanint]

It is a letter suffix to your serial number. The first 10 thousand pistols made that year had no letter suffix. Each subsequent production run of 10,000 pistols had a new letter suffix, starting with a, then b, etc.

[Houdini6]

So the "M" is nothing special?
I also found that the barrel is serial numbered to the pistol as well. There is also a 882 under that barrel serial number.

[ithacaartist]

Correct; it's part of the serial number; yours, therefore, is 3288m. Include this full number in all related paperwork for your Luger!
Barrels are typically serial numbered, along with many of the small parts. I think there is a list in the FAQs of what whould be numbered, and how--(commercials differ from military).
The 8.82 is the measured I.D. in mm of the bore, between lands of the rifling, and this number, or one close (by a .01 mm or so), is most often found on a 9 mm pistol. There is another system of indication of this dimension used on early pistols. Someone else may explain what the other numbers are based on, and when the feature was changed from that early style to the type of numbers you're seeing on yours.

[guns3545]

Your P.08 pistol was made by Mauser in 1940. In fact, based on the m-suffix, it is reasonably safe to say it was manufactured in November/Early December 1940. The m-suffix was the last block of guns that included the full 10,000 complement. The n-block overlapped between December 1940 and January 1941. So you will see early numbers up to about 3000 or so with a 1940 chamber marking and late n-block serial numbers with a 41 chamber date.

The stamps you observe on the right side of the receiver are First and Second Stage Inspection stamps represented by the two Stick Eagle 655 stamps. (Trust me; they are both Eagle 655 or you have a one of a kind gun) The third stamp is the Final Acceptance stamp which you will also see on the side of the barrel. You will also see the Final Acceptance stamp on other parts notably the toggle and bolt assembly.

The full serial number which includes the suffix is found only on the front of the frame. The number alone will be found on the left side of the receiver and the last two digits of the serial number will be found on most of the small parts. This detailed serial numbering was done because of poor interchangeability of parts which was an issue in the manufacturing process.

The walnut grip panels may have the last two digits of the serial number or the Stick Eagle 655 stamped on them. Replacement grips have a 42 stamped on them and occasionally you may find brown or black Bakelite grip panels installed.

You don't mention it but the magazine should have the full serial number including the m-suffix on it as well as the Stick Eagle 655 proof. It may also have a + sign indicating it was the second magazine of the two issued with the gun.

Hope this helps. Good collecting.

John

[mrerick]

Wayne,

Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the addiction...

Marc