1939 Mauser Oberndorf Luger

[Phosphorus32]

Well, this 42 code Mauser Oberndorf P.08 most certainly experienced WWII, from 1939-45. I know very little about Lugers but it may be an honest example with heavy wear and a mismatched Sauer und Sohn (Waa37) magazine. The only thing that gives me pause is the difference in the 1 on the frame's full serial number vs. the 1 on the full serial numbers of the barrel and slide. I don't know if that is normal. Like K98k rifles, these Lugers were serialized everywhere. No picture shown but I could see inside the magazine well and a "00" was clearly visible on the back of one of the grips.

The patina pattern on the front right of the barrel and the left rear side of the slide looks like it may have been wrapped in a cloth for a long time and corroded some of the weave into the pistol.

Anyhow, this is my starter Luger. It has a good bore, nice trigger, not too pretty to shoot...I'll take it 

SIDES AND TOP











INFINITE SERIAL NUMBERS

[Phosphorus32]

Looking at a pristine 1939 42 code Waa63 Luger over on Jan Still's Luger forum, I see the same difference in the font of the 1 between the slide and the frame, so I guess that's normal. Martin08 calls that one 99.5%, but I have the 0.5% condition one over here 

https://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?115185-Mauser-42-1939

[carls sks]

very neat to have one in any condition. 

[Phosphorus32]

very neat to have one in any condition. 

Thanks! I am tickled to finally have one.

[martin08]

You will have more fun with the 0.5% gun, Jon.  And your savings account will thank you.

[Phosphorus32]

You will have more fun with the 0.5% gun, Jon.  And your savings account will thank you.

Thanks! Yes, starting with a Luger that was significantly below 1K seemed like a good way to familiarize myself with how they look and function. The trigger and bore are really surprisingly nice considering how the exterior looks.

[martin08]

Wait until you shoot it, expecting a usual 9mm smack, and you get only this little wrist flip.

It still makes all the noise, though.

[Larry D.]

I'd shoot that one all day long.
A very nice historical piece. You're a lucky man.

So many shooters will never have the opportunity to have any Luger, "starter" or not. Prices on these have gone beyond the normal collectors budget.

[Donp236]

The Wa 63 code on the left side is a code used on G date and later P.08 Lugars from 1936 to 1939.

[Bob_The_Student]

Ummm, I'd take that as a starter Luger. I like it P32, I know absolutely nothing about them but I like it!

[Phosphorus32]

Thanks Bob and Larry! They have become rather pricey, so this one was a relative bargain. I wanted an honest piece to learn from and that I wouldn't be afraid to shoot.

[Phosphorus32]

The Wa 63 code on the left side is a code used on G date and later P.08 Lugars from 1936 to 1939.

Thanks Don. Always good info 

[Loose}{Cannon]

Killer.....     

[Phosphorus32]

Killer.....     

Thanks! 

[Phosphorus32]

This gift from Martin08 arrived yesterday. A nice black leather Bulgarian WWII era Luger holster. Fits this old war horse well and keeps it from further dings. Thanks for your knowledge and generosity Matt!

Clear blue skies here this morning so the deep black leather falsely appears to have a bluish cast.

[Bob_The_Student]

That Martin08 character is alright. So I'm not surprised he wanted your Luger to have a sweet "leather jacket".

[Donp236]

This gift from Martin08 arrived yesterday. A nice black leather Bulgarian WWII era Luger holster. Fits this old war horse well and keeps it from further dings. Thanks for your knowledge and generosity Matt!

Clear blue skies here this morning so the deep black leather falsely appears to have a bluish cast.

Don't store the in the holster the leather is acidic and will corrode the gun.