A little info a Luger I just acquired

LandonColt33 · 09-29-2021, 09:19 AM

First I want to say I’m new here. Been a local shooting forum for years, avoid shooter armature collector but not well versed Lugers, I just like them.

My grandpa recently gave me a couple Lugers and one seems to be a 1941 BYF. He doesn’t know much of a backstory just that he has had it for years. I will post photos of it. If there is anything I should get better photos of let me know. All the numbers including the grips match and I don’t see any import marks anywhere. Any way into the photos and time to educate. Also I have fired it several years ago.

LandonColt33 · 09-29-2021, 09:21 AM

Additional photos

4 Scale · 09-29-2021, 12:15 PM

Welcome. You have a P 08 made in Oberndorf Germany by Mauser for the German Army. The 'byf' lettering on the toggle is a code designating Mauser. The pitting is significant on the one side; most holster experts advise do not store the pistol in the holster to prevent oxidation. I can't tell if the finish is original or not from the photos (original is better from a value standpoint). Photos of the magazine and its base would be helpful to establish type and originality.

Holster looks original and appropriate for the pistol, but I'm not a holster collector so hopefully someone will be by to confirm/comment on it.

Be sure to check the FAQ, lots of good information there.

Mac Cat · 09-29-2021, 10:29 PM

The pitting looks like the gun laid in water, maybe even salt water for a long time.
It looks like it was refinished, but I agree that better photos would help (outside in sunlight).
It's a nice kit - pistol, holster and tool.

BTW: My grandfather left me a 1942 byf with holster and tool.

LandonColt33 · 09-29-2021, 11:01 PM

I was told and I can’t be sure but was told the pitting might have been from blood. The grip also look to have dark stains so it did cross my mind it might be right but I don’t know

ithacaartist · 09-30-2021, 01:24 AM

Blood will remove the finish in the blink of an eye, but it takes a while for pitting to develop to this extent, and I think bad storage is more likely the culprit. The "blood" claim is not rare, but generally more in the realm of urban legend--as a rule of thumb--unless there is provenance/documentation. The old saying goes, "Buy the gun, not the story."

Vlim · 09-30-2021, 02:29 AM

The loading tool is a fake.

mrerick · 09-30-2021, 10:09 AM

Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your Lugers.

I have a late Mauser made Luger with finish damage on one side like yours. It's my shooter Luger, and I think that these Mauser Lugers make excellent shooters, especially when they are all matching like this.

The damage may have occurred while stored in the holster so consider storing them separately.

We publish a good FAQ reference document; please download a copy - you'll find it useful.

lugerholsterrepair · 09-30-2021, 12:45 PM

The damage may have occurred while stored in the holster so consider storing them separately. There is NO damage to the holster?

spangy · 09-30-2021, 01:42 PM

When i saw this post the other day my immediate reactions were the same as Vlim's, Jerry's and ithacaartist's.

I found myself wishing that this Luger could talk and tell its real story.

I swear to God; if I hear another story along the lines of 'my buddies dad was a Navy Seal who shot and killed an SS officer protecting Hitler is his bunker and got blood and guts all over the gun and holster' I will sell my entire Luger collection in disgust.
To LandonColt33's credit he did NOT give us the whole story his pal told him (good instincts there) so thank you for that.

Lugers are magnificent in their nature and their engineering is one of the most brilliant masterpieces of all time ... they DO NOT need embellishment by fairy tales to justify their existence.

YES this gun has seen better days but it is still a Luger and as such is beautiful by that fact alone.

Thanks for sharing LandonColt33 and Welcome to the Forum

Sieger · 10-01-2021, 04:25 AM

Spanky,

There were no Navy Seals in WWII, FYI.

Sieger

Doubs · 10-01-2021, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sieger

Spanky, There were no Navy Seals in WWII, FYI. Sieger

NEVER allow facts to get in the way of a good story. LOL

spangy · 10-01-2021, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sieger

Spanky,

There were no Navy Seals in WWII, FYI.

Sieger

OMG Sieger

... It's called sarcasm ... of course there were no Navy seals in WWII, it was included to emphasize the absurdity of some of the 'stories' people make up to flog their guns. FYI

And who the hell is Spanky ????

Sieger · 10-01-2021, 09:24 PM

Spangy,

Sorry for the misspelling; though this, at least, is the second time i have committed this unforgivable sin!!!

FYI, Spanky was the stage name of a child actor in the 1930s comedy series "Our Gang".

Sieger

09-29-2021, 09:19 AM	#1
LandonColt33 New User Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Denver Metro Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	A little info a Luger I just acquired First I want to say I’m new here. Been a local shooting forum for years, avoid shooter armature collector but not well versed Lugers, I just like them. My grandpa recently gave me a couple Lugers and one seems to be a 1941 BYF. He doesn’t know much of a backstory just that he has had it for years. I will post photos of it. If there is anything I should get better photos of let me know. All the numbers including the grips match and I don’t see any import marks anywhere. Any way into the photos and time to educate. Also I have fired it several years ago. Attached Thumbnails

09-29-2021, 09:21 AM	#2
LandonColt33 New User Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Denver Metro Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Additional photos Attached Thumbnails

09-30-2021, 01:24 AM	#6
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,347 Thanks: 7,285 Thanked 2,579 Times in 1,366 Posts	Blood will remove the finish in the blink of an eye, but it takes a while for pitting to develop to this extent, and I think bad storage is more likely the culprit. The "blood" claim is not rare, but generally more in the realm of urban legend--as a rule of thumb--unless there is provenance/documentation. The old saying goes, "Buy the gun, not the story." __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

09-30-2021, 10:09 AM	#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	Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your Lugers. I have a late Mauser made Luger with finish damage on one side like yours. It's my shooter Luger, and I think that these Mauser Lugers make excellent shooters, especially when they are all matching like this. The damage may have occurred while stored in the holster so consider storing them separately. We publish a good FAQ reference document; please download a copy - you'll find it useful. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-30-2021, 12:45 PM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	The damage may have occurred while stored in the holster so consider storing them separately. There is NO damage to the holster? __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

09-29-2021, 12:15 PM	#3
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 489 Times in 251 Posts	Welcome. You have a P 08 made in Oberndorf Germany by Mauser for the German Army. The 'byf' lettering on the toggle is a code designating Mauser. The pitting is significant on the one side; most holster experts advise do not store the pistol in the holster to prevent oxidation. I can't tell if the finish is original or not from the photos (original is better from a value standpoint). Photos of the magazine and its base would be helpful to establish type and originality. Holster looks original and appropriate for the pistol, but I'm not a holster collector so hopefully someone will be by to confirm/comment on it. Be sure to check the FAQ, lots of good information there.

09-29-2021, 10:29 PM	#4
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 732 Thanks: 2,100 Thanked 610 Times in 329 Posts	The pitting looks like the gun laid in water, maybe even salt water for a long time. It looks like it was refinished, but I agree that better photos would help (outside in sunlight). It's a nice kit - pistol, holster and tool. BTW: My grandfather left me a 1942 byf with holster and tool.

09-29-2021, 11:01 PM	#5
LandonColt33 New User Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Denver Metro Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I was told and I can’t be sure but was told the pitting might have been from blood. The grip also look to have dark stains so it did cross my mind it might be right but I don’t know

09-30-2021, 02:29 AM	#7
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	The loading tool is a fake.

09-30-2021, 01:42 PM	#10
spangy Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 617 Thanks: 3,065 Thanked 1,057 Times in 429 Posts	When i saw this post the other day my immediate reactions were the same as Vlim's, Jerry's and ithacaartist's. I found myself wishing that this Luger could talk and tell its real story. I swear to God; if I hear another story along the lines of 'my buddies dad was a Navy Seal who shot and killed an SS officer protecting Hitler is his bunker and got blood and guts all over the gun and holster' I will sell my entire Luger collection in disgust. To LandonColt33's credit he did NOT give us the whole story his pal told him (good instincts there) so thank you for that. Lugers are magnificent in their nature and their engineering is one of the most brilliant masterpieces of all time ... they DO NOT need embellishment by fairy tales to justify their existence. YES this gun has seen better days but it is still a Luger and as such is beautiful by that fact alone. Thanks for sharing LandonColt33 and Welcome to the Forum __________________ Whoever said that "money can't buy you happiness" never bought a Luger. WTB - Take Down Lever & Trigger Plate (#90) for an Imperial Artillery.

10-01-2021, 04:25 AM	#11
Sieger User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,575 Thanks: 2,124 Thanked 400 Times in 249 Posts	Spanky, There were no Navy Seals in WWII, FYI. Sieger

10-01-2021, 09:24 PM	#14
Sieger User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,575 Thanks: 2,124 Thanked 400 Times in 249 Posts	Spangy, Sorry for the misspelling; though this, at least, is the second time i have committed this unforgivable sin!!! FYI, Spanky was the stage name of a child actor in the 1930s comedy series "Our Gang". Sieger