LUGER P08 - Mauser 1936

Item Description

FIREARM HISTORY AND FEATURES:

The Luger P08 (also known as the Pistole Parabellum or Parabellum-Pistole) is a toggle-locked, recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol that was produced in several models and by several nations from 1898 to 1949.
Designed by Georg Luger, is was first made by the German arms manufacturer Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM), chambered in 7.65×21 mm and was known as the Modell 1900 Parabellum.

The Luger was officially adopted by the Swiss military in 1900.
Following a change in caliber from 7.65×21 mm Parabellum to 9×19 mm Parabellum, the Luger was adopted by the Imperial German Navy in 1906 and later by the German Army in 1908 (with a name change to Pistole Modell 1908 – P08).
The Luger is well known for its wide use by Germany during World War I and World War II, along with the interwar Weimar Republic and the postwar East German Volkspolizei.
It was the standard service pistol of Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Brazil, Bolivia, and Bulgaria, and was also widely used in other countries as a military service pistol and by police forces.

The Luger was produced by many different manufacturers in different countries over its service life, in a number of variants and models.
They were manufactured in Germany and Switzerland to very close tolerances and exacting standards using the highest quality materials of the day, and original pistols were known for having a long service life.
The Luger pistol is still sought after by collectors both for its sleek design and accuracy, and for its connection to Imperial and Nazi Germany.
It is one of the most collected pieces of militaria, with collectors purchasing them for prices ranging from $34,500 to $1,000,000.

YOUTUBE VIDEO: HICKOK45 – LUGER P08
YOUTUBE VIDEO: SOOTCH00 – THE GERMAN LUGER P08 GUN REVIEW
YOUTUBE VIDEO: FORGOTTEN WEAPONS – DEVELOPMENT OF THE LUGER AUTOMATIC PISTOL

FIREARM CONDITION:

This gun is in fair to good, original, used condition (for its age). It is mechanically sound and functional.
There is some light, uniform wear to the original finish of the sides of the frame (particularly the left side), as well as along the length of the left side of the barrel, the edges of the trigger guard, the safety lever and the front strap of the grip.
There is also some very light wear to the edges of the trigger guard, and front of the right side of the barrel near the muzzle.
The original wooden grips are still in good condition with no significant marks or scratches.
It has all matching serial number parts, excluding the magazine.
It has ‘1936’ stamped on top of the chamber, as well as ‘S/42’ on top of the toggle and Mauser Military Receiver Proof marks for that period (G date and later models).
The action is still smooth.

FIREARM SUITABILITY:

This firearm is suitable as a collectors piece due to its historical significance.

While technically this firearm could be used for self-defense and sport shooting purposes, I would not recommend it due to it collectiblity and relative scarcity of spare parts and accessories.