December 16, 17, & 18, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/17/2020
P.08 manufactured by DWM in 1917. Receiver is marked with a Death's Head stamp above "1917" over the chamber, with DWM proofs and German Imperial Reichsadler on the right. German Imperial Reichsadler is also present on the barrel and left side of breechblock. Matching numbers include the frame, locking bolt, trigger, safety lever, hold-open latch, receiver, barrel, trigger bar, toggles, breechblock, extractor, firing pin, and checkered walnut grips. It is likely that these numbers were force matched at the time of arsenal refurbishment. There are several theories as to the meaning and origin of the Death's Head (Totenkopf) marking. The most widely received and accepted theory is that due to the shortage of armament supplied to the SS during World War II, it was common practice for the SS to acquire appropriate weaponry and parts from old stock, and mark them for their own service. This cataloger has noted many inconsistencies between all of the different "Death's Head" marked P.08s that they have observed, especially when relating to the stamp itself, and advises one to use their own intuition when observing one. CONDITION: Metal components retain pleasant amounts of their arsenal applied rust blue finish, exhibiting wear and scattered handling marks all around. Bore is bright, exhibiting signs of some light oxidation, but retains good rifling throughout. Checkered walnut grips exhibit some smoothing to the checkering and some minor handling marks, as well as a small chip behind the safety lever. MLW