The OFFICIAL Luger P08 Picture Thread

My grandfather got this one new in 1920 while he was at Kemper Military school.
I got it 20 years ago. Nice piece...





Yes, those are aftermarket grips I had on it for a while.
I put the originals back on some time after the pics were taken.

Mauser "Ub" Factory Training Luger (?)

I only have one Luger, so might as well make it weird and unusual !
If anybody has more info on what this is, lemme know...

I had to do a lot of digging to verify the seller's claims for what this might be (even though it was pretty cheap as Lugers go), and here's what I found. Mostly from Ref 1 but confirmed via odds and ends using my Google-fu:

The letter "A" on the barrel indicates "Ausschub" (scrap or reject) while the letters "Ub" are for "Ubungswaffe" or "Drill Practice Weapon." These markings are "normally only seen on those ... designated for instructional purposes (ref 1)." These pistols were made up from rejected, obsolete, spare or re-used parts and were typically of poor finish quality. Mine does not have any proof or Waffenamts that I can see. Haven't torn it down yet. All small parts appear to be marked with "08" for last digits of S/N (in theory). The grips are probably replacements as the edges don't match up to the grip straps quite right, but they are marked "08" on the back along with what looks like two German names in pencil (hard to see). The "spare parts" probably explains the over-stamped S/N on the barrel and frame. This variant was only seen at the Mauser factory.

"The exact reason for assembly of these pistols is unknown. The absence of inspection and proof marks shows that they were retained as internal [Mauser] factory pistols and not intended for commercial sale or supply to the military ... Examples observed show signs of heavy use, so it must be concluded that these pistols were [used] for shooting practice or personnel training ... (ref 1)."

This seems reasonable since the factory was required to test fire each production Luger, which in turn required a fairly large number of civilian workers/shooters. Each pistol had to meet stringent requirements. Targets were at 50m and shot free-hand from a sand-bag, so a good deal of practice and training was probably necessary. The workers got a bonus if the production pistol passed on the first firing test, so there was some incentive to be a good shot - and the factory footed the bill for that training because it meant fewer re-works, increased production, etc.

Whatever the reason, it's a pretty interesting and rare variation assuming it's legit.

S/N 1904 is in ref 1, and is also all-matching with no proof or Waffenamt stamps. It has a "byf" toggle and "Ub" over "A" in large letters on the grips, which are quite worn. S/N 1906 is supposedly out there somewhere too. S/N 1904 was in a recent auction of the Dr. Sturgess collection, not sure what it realized.

Ref 1) "Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols," J. Gortz, Dr. G. Sturgess, Vols I-III, 2010-2011, Simpson Publishing.
(Highly recommended, the DVD is quite reasonably priced and worth every penny for a even a casual Luger collector).

That's something I've never seen before. Interesting!

Apps- weaphones of ww2

I really need to make time to hit the range

Finally got around to taking some pictures. It's a 1940 non-matching. Has a byf toggle. Four different serial #s present. All parts are wartime with proofs. Mag has proofs as well. It shoots well. Every bit as accurate as a 1911 if not better.

JAGGUY said:

My grandfather got this one new in 1920 while he was at Kemper Military school.
I got it 20 years ago. Nice piece...

http://s261.photobucket.com/user/GWUISTER/media/LUGAR-30L.jpg.html

Click to expand...

How amazing is it that we've gone from a student at a military school in 1920 being able to buy a new pistol, to kids in 2012 being suspended from school for making their fingers take the shape of a gun?

This thread caused me to finally get one of my own and I don't regret it for one minute! I just wish I had done it sooner. 1916 WDM all matching except for magazine. I took it out the other day and it shoots extremely well for a 97 year old handgun. I shot about 60 rounds through it without a hiccup.

Thought I would bring this thread back to life instead of starting a new one. Just received my first Luger, wanted a representative example for my collection but didn't have the cash for anything super high end so this one fit the bill nicely. Late 41 byf (so called "black widow") in about 90% condition, all original and matching with the correct black bottom fxo unnumbered magazine.

Here's my two, so far.

Top - 1937 S/42 all matching except magazine.
Magazine isn't marked and has a wood bottom.
No import marks.

Bottom - 1941 byf all matching except magazine.
Magazine marked P08, fxo and waffen eagle over 37. Bottom of magazine is aluminum and is marked with a serial number, the letter u and a + sign.
No import marks.

Heres my p08. Great shooter. Still thinking about making a kydex holster for it

JAGGUY said:

My grandfather got this one new in 1920 while he was at Kemper Military school.
I got it 20 years ago. Nice piece...





Yes, those are aftermarket grips I had on it for a while.
I put the originals back on some time after the pics were taken.

Click to expand...

No, NOT "NICE".................... BEAUTIFUL!

-Z/28- said:

Finally got around to taking some pictures. It's a 1940 non-matching. Has a byf toggle. Four different serial #s present. All parts are wartime with proofs. Mag has proofs as well. It shoots well. Every bit as accurate as a 1911 if not better.

Click to expand...

Sweet! "Maybe" not as accurate as a 1911 BUT it's the best "pointing" pistol ever made.

What did you pay for the mixmaster? Id be more than happy with one.

Been doing some research recently and came upon this thread. Hopefully, will be adding a few pics to this thread in a couple weeks!

Wow...I've wanted a Luger ever since noticing one of my toy soldier officers was pointing one. Perhaps in my next 40 years, I'll get lucky.

Post 22 got my eye. My front grip has some markings too.
It's a DMW from WW1 that I bought at a gunshow, when I was young and stupid. Later I assumed these marks were some sort of capture marks from a Royal Machine Gun regiment, but in WW1 it was the Machine Gun Corps.

One of mine, all matching American Eagle Luger in .30 Luger. Made after 1906 (knurled toggle) but before 1914 (stamped "Germany" on the front of the frame as opposed to the 1914 and later "Made In Germany").

My other Luger, DWM 1915, all matching except the magazine and holster, probably bring back from WWI as no importer marks nor is it double date stamped as all surviving ones were under Weimar.

I know that this is a picture thread but I am interested in picking up one of these. What would you say a good average price would be for these? Lets assume good to VG condition all matching? I am aware that it can vary greatly but as someone new to these what would be a "safe" purchase.

The PO8 listed in Mdeng's thread was almost all matching and listed for $1200. I found another that is for sale that is $1400 shipped OBO with the following description.

"GERMAN Model P-08 Luger semiautomatic pistol # 8917n (9mm) mfg. by DWM in 1916. Excellent condition, very little (if any) wear. Has very strong mirror-bright bore and all-matching serial numbers except sear (35) and aluminum-bottomed magazine. All markings very clear, checkered walnut grips are extremely crisp without usual chip in left grip. Not import-marked."

This and his service 1911 were brought back from WW2 by my great Uncle, commanded a couple of tanks under Patton. When he passed, the firearms were donated to the Fort Drum War Museum since neither of his kids wanted them and I was too young to own a handgun (had to be 21 back then in NYS). Working on getting them back into the family.

I've got a 7.62mm parts shooter . . .