P08 book - Opinions

[byf43]

I am a beginner when it comes to P08s and have yet to buy my first book on the subject. I'm mainly interested in the 1933-1945 period, but a little background info on other P08s (export models, WWI, middle years) would be nice also. It's not just information on how to identify certain variants of P08s (markings etc.) but also background stories on the factories that made them and what end users who got the pistols.

What book can you recommend? I've heard that Lugers at Random should be a good all round book? Please share your opinions.

[Heinz]

THe "Luger Story" by John Walters is a low cost entry that covers much of the Luger history in a readable format. However it lacks references and is not always accurate in details, but it is close. I belive it is available in the 20 to 30 dollar range. For the time period you state you will find no better text than "Third Reich Lugers" by Jan Still. This book has great photos, excellent references and is a recognized authoritive reference in the area.

I copied the following review over from Jan Stills website. There is a link to that forum in Links and Resources. The book review section there may help you out.

Volume 3: Third Reich Lugers 1988

Third Reich Lugers is a specialized text and deals almost exclusively with Third Reich Lugers. This is a 295 page 8 1/2 by 11 volume with an additional 4 illustrations in the frontispiece. The first 3 sectons cover the Mauser Lugers manufactured from 1934 through 1942. The proof markings, date markings, and production dates are carefully related to serial number ranges with a small section commenting on out of sequence production.

This volume lacks the list of illustrations that I found useful in volumes 1 and 2 but does have a complete and detailed table of contents. I would estimate there are 50 Lugers very well photographed. All photographs are black and white. On pages 125 and 171 there are text and photo essays on magazine variations. Considering the cost of Luger magazines, these alone are worth the cost of the book. There is also a treatment of P08 holster manufacturer letter codes. Jan Still as always documents his statements with references and identifies opinions as such. There are numerous words of caution for the collector on inappropriate combinations of markings, spurious â??SSâ?? designations and cautions on Luftwaffe marking attributions for the P08. This volume also covers Kreighoff production, Ku marked P08s and commercial and contract Mauser P08 production. There is a small section on â??1929 DWM Lugersâ?� BKIW-Mauser Transitional Lugers that include some Finnish contract Lugers and an explanation of the 29 DWM markings. For a bit of trivia there are 7 non-P08 Mausers and one picture of an artilleryman with a Mauser 96 in the introduction.

I have limited interest in things of the Third Reich but still find this volume very valuable to collecting. The holster and magazine essays and photographs and the 29 DWM data are great information for any Luger collector. The treatment of the P08 is far more in depth and detailed than was possible in Axis Lugers making this must have for the WWII Luger enthusiast.

[byf43]

Thanks for a very convincing answer. Third Reich Lugers sound like a must have.

Still if anyone here has read or owns a copy of Lugers at Random I'd be pleased to hear your opinion on that particular book.

[Ron Smith]

I give Lugers at Random a firm 2nd place only to Jan Still's Third Reichs Lugers. And in certain aspects it works in unison with Third Reichs Lugers as a ready photo reference.

Ron

[wlyon]

I agree with Ron. You can never have to many reference books. Still's are the best. All of them offer something . Money spent on reference books is never wasted.Buy them, then the firearms. Bill

[Dwight Gruber]

Lugers At Random is the first book I turn to for quick, brief information or for information on a variation I'm not familiar with--it serves as a kind of quick index for more directed reading in other, more focused books.

I have discovered that LAR is beginning to show its age, and the directed reading often reveals errors or other inadequacies which might be expected to crop up in the succeeding 37 years of collecting history.

--Dwight

[byf43]

That settles it. Many thanks to all of you. If it can only be one book - and it can only be one with those prices (125 Euro each) - it'll be Third Reich Lugers. Good to have experienced collectors nearby for help

[Tomathvl]

Mikkel

I believe Third Reich Lugers is still available directly from Jan Still for $89.00 at below link.

Tom

http://luger.gunboards.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2535

[Lugerdoc]

Heinz et al, I agree that Third Reich Lugers is the most upto date reference on WW2 lugers, but for a beginning collector, not as easy to use nor as comprehensive for other eras as Lugers at Random. I Charles K. ever finishes his long awaited revised edition, this would definately be the way to go for about $65, if you're only going to have one luger reference. TH

[Dwight Gruber]

Regarding my earlier comment, I remember now that my discovery of LAR's inadequacies came during an email discussion with someone who made an unfortunate purchase decision based on his reading of Kenyon. Kenyon gives Mauser military production particularly short shrift; does not differentiate or give details of the year models of S/42 or byf; and some of the information he does report can be misleading. If your interest is specifically WWII Lugers, best to go with Still.

--Dwight

[byf43]

Thanks a lot. It seems that Third Reich Lugers comes closer to my wishes than any other book.