Curious Relics #063: A Documented Life – The Luger P08 Pistol Part III
Sam.S 05.03.23
Welcome, if you are a newcomer to this fun bi-weekly segment of AllOutdoor.com! The last time around I covered the history and variations ( Part I and Part II) of a German pistol which is absolutely idolized by the public. In this article, we are continuing the Luger P08 pistol. We have to cover dating, aftermarket parts, and accessories before we ever go to the range. Be prepared and know what you have. Let’s dive right into the rabbit hole!
Recent Curious Relics Coverage:
- Curious Relics #062: Too Many Toggle Locks – The Luger Pistol Part II
- Curious Relics #061: Another Beloved Icon – The Luger
- Curious Relics #059: Sweeping The Range – C96 Broomhandle Part Five
- Curious Relics #058: Full of Features – The Mauser C96 Part Four
- Curious Relics #057: Variations Continued – The Mauser C96 Part Three
- Curious Relics #056: A Legend is Born – The Mauser C96 Part Two
Welcome to our recurring series of “Curious Relics.” Here, we want to share all of our experiences, knowledge, misadventures, and passion for older firearms that one might categorize as a Curio & Relic – any firearm that is at least 50 years old according to the ATF. Hopefully along the way you can garner a greater appreciation for older firearms like we do, and simultaneously you can teach us things as well through sharing your own expertise and thoughts in the Comments. Understanding the firearms of old, their importance, and their development which lead to many of the arms we now cherish today is incredibly fascinating and we hope you enjoy what we have to share, too!
Dating: Luger P08
Results may vary. I just wanted to state that right off the bat. This is because the Luger was manufactured by many different companies and in many different places. Luckily for the Luger (especially the P08s of Germany), most are easy to identify the date of manufacture one way or another. One method is simply to look back at parts I and II and see when certain variations were made to help know what Luger you have.
The most blatant and accepted way is if it has a chamber date which would be, well, on top of the chamber. This date is not necessarily the date of manufacture but rather the date it was proofed (the barrel specifically). That being said this is assuming your Luger was made around this time and has most of the matching numbers on all core parts. If not you have to decide what piece to date. Speaking of numbers, another method is looking at the serial numbers. Most Lugers produced before 1920 will have serial numbers that start with the letter “A” and those produced up until 1942 will have “byf” or “svw”. Luger pistols produced post-1942 have been found to have serial numbers that begin with the letters “ac” or “duv”.
Beyond those few points, there is a slew of small details to nitpick at. Things such as proof and acceptance marks, Which side the safety catch is on (pre-1942 = Left…post-1942 = Right), and date codes made by various manufacturers.
Specifications: Luger P08
- Years Produced (Germany & America): 1898 to 1953
- Number Manufactured: Roughly 3,000,000
- Operating System: Short Recoil Toggle Locked
- Chambering: 7.63 Luger (30 Luger), 9×19 Parabellum (9mm Luger), 380 ACP (Custom aftermarket versions), 45 ACP (Custom aftermarket versions and military trials)
- Standard Barrel Lengths: 3.9 inches, 4.7 inches, 7.9 inches
- Overall Length: Roughly 8.8 inches from heel to crown
- Weight: Roughly 1 lb 15 oz.
- Action: Single Action
- Safety: Manual Right-Handed Thumb Safety
- Capacity: 8-round Detachable Box Magazine, 32-round Snail Drum Magazine (artillery models)
- Front Sight: Dovetailed Front Triangular Ramp
- Rear Sight: Fixed Toggle V-cut (P08), Elevation Adjustable Toggle V-cut (Navy), Barrel Mounted Adjustable (Artillery)
- Grip: Checkered walnut or plastic
Aftermarket Parts & Accessories: Luger P08
Given the absolute love for the Luger pistol in all of its toggle-locked glory this means there is actually a healthy supply of parts and accessories available. Getting right down to business if you want to look for high-dollar sites that offer premium and descriptive items I would check out Lugerman, Luger Firearms, and Simpson Ltd. I have only worked with the last one but all seem to have a good head on their shoulders as far as advertising quality and descriptive items.
For lots of parts op[tions I always recommend these three to be your first stops. There is Numrich which will have things laid out very neat and often affordably (they also have some of the more “affordable” reproduction Snail Drum magazines). CMR is another parts resource that is sort of a hybrid between companies like Simpson Ltd and Numrich. Sarco Inc is always a good source if you are looking for affordable reproduction accessories. The quality may be in question, look at the reviews for some. Legacy Collectables seems to have a small smattering of parts but they appear to be a bit spendier, hopefully for the quality. If you are looking more specifically for Swiss Luger-related parts (and even guns!) check out Edelweiss Arms. Lastly, the old backup plan is eBay. Make sure if what you are looking for is not there you can save your search and be alerted when it is posted.
End of Part III: Luger P08
Only one part left after this one! Oh lord, I wish it would be longer because I too am infatuated with such beautiful guns. I have a few parting questions for the folks out there if you have made it this far. What is your favorite thing about your Luger (if you own one)? If you do not own one, what is something you would like to be described about shooting one? See you folks next time!
I want to say a heartfelt thank you and a big shoutout to my friend Steve Murphy for loaning me his Luger. It was a wonderful piece to work with and an absolute beauty that cannot be fully captured in pictures. This article would not have happened as soon as it did without you, Steve! Thank you.
In closing, I hope our Curious Relics segment informed as well as entertained. This all was written in hopes of continued firearm appreciation and preservation. We did not just realize how guns were supposed to look and function. It was a long and tedious process that has shaped the world we live in. So, I put it to you! Is there a firearm out there that you feel does not get much notoriety? What should our next Curious Relics topic cover? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
