Luger P08 question

[American1776]

Place near me has a Luger P08 made by Mauser. Date is 1939, appears to have all matching parts except the grips and magazine (which are still originals for the period). Finish is rough, bluing is missing on spots like handle and barrel, but it doesn't look like a completely rusted or abused gun. Bore looks nice.

For the one's who collect these Lugers: What is a fair price for something like this? ~1000? I've been wanting a Luger that isn't pristine but that will work, have some collectors value, and that I could use in a pinch for defense if needed.

Thanks.

 

[farrell]

p08

What markings are on the gun that makes it a mauser and can you put up some photos?

 

[American1776]

What markings are on the gun that makes it a mauser and can you put up some photos?

Sorry, don't have photos, and I remember the tag saying Mauser.

I believe there is a 42 stamped on the top strap. I'm just looking for a ballpark estimate so as to avoid getting ripped off if I decide to pull the trigger.

 

[alwslate]

I'll take a guess based on your description. Assuming the finish is
original and the bore is good and the Nazi markings intact I'd say
it would probably be a good buy at $750 and a bit pricey at $850.
Lugers aren't getting any cheaper. I look at them often on GB and it's
pretty near impossible to get a bargain there. You call the finish
rough and I'm assuming you mean bluing wear. Pitting and rust would
lower the value.

 

[American1776]

I'll take a guess based on your description. Assuming the finish is
original and the bore is good and the Nazi markings intact I'd say
it would probably be a good buy at $750 and a bit pricey at $850.
Lugers aren't getting any cheaper. I look at them often on GB and it's
pretty near impossible to get a bargain there. You call the finish
rough and I'm assuming you mean bluing wear. Pitting and rust would
lower the value.

Thanks for the feedback. That's greatly appreciated.

 

[farrell]

po8

Markings on a luger can mean a whole lot when it comes to price. Is it marked 42 or s/42 that will make a difference?

 

[American1776]

Markings on a luger can mean a whole lot when it comes to price. Is it marked 42 or s/42 that will make a difference?

no 's', just a 42

 

[jdlii]

alwslate's comments are spot on regarding the Luger you are considering. I owned a 1918 DMW that retained about 80% of it's original finish. It is sometimes referred to as "straw finish" I believe and displayed a serious patch of pitting at the muzzle but, showed great accuracy. I sold it to a friend of mine for $600 and both of us were happy. A Mauser make would, IMO, be worth more.
They are beautiful pistols!

 

[kenv1950]

Markings mean everything, you might better ask some questions on a Luger Forum unless there are some collectors on here. I have a 41 Black Widow (no pics) and a 1922 commercial Luger all matching numbers and mag. Condition is $$$$

 

[nutsforsmiths]

The 1939 Mauser Lugers are the most commonly found Nazi Lugers.

I think it is a good idea to ask your questions on the Luger forum. I know just enough to be dangerous when it comes to Lugers, as I do own a 1939 S/42 Mauser.

In my opinion, from what you have said, $750 would be a decent price for that pistol.

 

[DocB]

It is a more common one. Mauser was "the" Luger manufacturer and refused to convert to making the P38 until the German government forced them to begin nearly a year after ordering them to do so. I will attach a picture of the Luger you are considering with a Mauser P38. Around here we have had people drive from Savannah to Macon (a pretty long drive) just to pick up a mismatched WWII Luger in pretty crummy condition for $1200.00. I'm not saying you should pay that, but I've seen a couple of junky ones sell for that at gun shows. The one in my pic is not mint. The P38 is a mint vet bring back. The Jap gun is also a mint vet bring back. Both the P38 and Jap are in complete outfits with all the accessories (not in picture). The Jap gun has capture papers and was liberated by a black private who died about 5 years ago. Very rare to have something like this documented to a black soldier in the Pacific.

 

[mauser9]

Had one like the one you describe Ameican. Date was 1939 and stamped 42 which should be code for Mauser Oberndorf. Mine also had new grips and some numbskull reblued it destroying collector value. If the one you are considering has original unaltered finish you are better off. I agree with the prices quoted from members above concerning value. Prices on unaltered P-08s are often through the roof.

 

[American1776]

lots of great opinions here, thanks gentlemen.

Sounds like there is a definite 'range' for price here. I suppose it's also up to the buyer how much he's willing to fork over.

 

[sheepdawg]

I guess it's all in what you are calling rough finish. Magazines that don't match isn't a deal breaker neither is period correct but mismatched grips. If you call rough 80% with no pitting, good bore $750 to me would be a good deal. Pitting is a deal breaker for me though.

Yes I own a Luger, everybody should.

 

[2152hq]

Did you check all the numbered parts for matching ser#.
Several are inside and require disassembly.
A small part or two like a hold-open, axel pin, safety, firing pin ,ect added to the list of mis-matched parts can substantially reduce value.

Make sure the 'period correct' magazine is a Mauser mfg magazine with the correct inspector markings for the time of mfg.
I've seen period correct mags offered up that are Luger magazines but from a different era. Nice to get the right one or at least be able to use the point as a tire kicker.

They aren't getting any cheaper,,I can't really put a value on one w/o seeing it. But a WW2 bring back in VG condition here (NE), all matching but the magazine, nice bore, worn blue on the grip straps and edges, common mfg usually priced at around $1000 and they don't stay on the shelf too long.
With a holster & an extra mag and maybe the skate tool,,the price is $1200/$1300 unless the holster is something special,,then more.

+ & - for condition of course and it can go up quickly.
They don't go down too fast!

Even the Russian imports from the 90's sell at good prices now and most of them are mis-matched,,re-matched, refinished, re-gripped,,ect.
There were some nice ones in there though.

 

[6string]

Hi,
It's really impossible to answer your query without more info and lots of photos. The best advice I would offer is to read up on Lugers first! There are a number of fine books, some on Lugers in general, some on specific variations (such as Swiss Lugers). The variety, history, and complexity of the field is astonishing.
I studied Lugers for almost a year before I felt confident enough to make an informed decision. The process has also greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the subject.
Check out the Luger forum to get a start. But, buy some books to really become informed.

Best regards,
Jim

 

[DocB]

Yeah, the Russian imports. . .there are some really nice ones in there. They have import marks. The one I got had the importer on the bottom side of the barrel. Got one about 10 years ago for $300. It was all matching and had a nice fxo extruded magazine. I did have to replace the strange Russian plastic grips with nice period wood ones. I think they are historic and collectable. Where else are you going to find a gun that may have been picked up after the battle for Stalingrad. The purist collectors will never own a Luger that dropped in Stalingrad.

 

[Andyd]

Some of the info given here is confusing at best. Mauser obtained the DWM machinery aorund 1930 and started production of the P.08. so you were looking at a Mauser made pistol.

The manufacturer code is on the toggle, the year of manufacture on top of the receiver bridge.

Without a photo it is next to impossible to pin the value down, or give more than a ballpark figure of $650 to 900. As shooters I prefer the serviced and arsenal refinished East German pisstols, commonly called VOPO 08. they often had new Czech barrels fitted (with a crownN) and the springs replaced, as well as worn parts. They were often issued with new 1001 mags made by Haenel.