April 27-30, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2021
Manufactured after World War II by the French who occupied the Mauser Oberndrof factory, this example is marked with a "BH" over an Austrian eagle, indicating issue to the Austrian Bundesheer. Chamber is blank, with the Mauser banner logo present on the toggle. Left side of receiver is stamped with a Mauser eagle over "N" commercial proof, with the left side of the frame being stamped "P.08". Matching numbers include the frame, locking bolt, trigger, sideplate, receiver, and toggles. Safety lever and bar, hold-open latch, barrel, and receiver are unserialized. Forward toggle link appears to be refinished and retains a higher polish blue than the rest of the gun. CONDITION: Metal components retain the majority of their blue finish, exhibiting scattered handling and storage marks all around. Grip straps exhibit thinning and show through to grey patina. Bore is bright, showing some oxidation within the grooves and retaining good rifling throughout. Checkered walnut grips show wear and some scattered indentations all around. According to the book "Lugers at Random" by Charles Kenyon Jr., this rare Luger variation was only recently discovered (at the time of "Lugers at Random" publishing) when a US importer happened upon and presumably purchased the entire group of Bundes Heer marked Mauser P.08 pistols. With the estimated production of this variation only being within several hundred, this makes for a desirable addition to the astute Luger collector's ensemble. -MLW-