December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2021
Originally manufactured at the Royal Arsenal Erfurt during the Great War for issue to Germany's military forces, this P.08 was later reworked for issue to police units in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles. The receiver is stamped "1917" over the chamber, with Erfurt arsenal proofs on the right hand side, followed by an Imperial German eagle, which is also present on the left side of the toggle. The barrel was later replaced by Simson & Suhl, bearing a Weimar era eagle, with the left bearing 2 Simson & Suhl eagle over "6" waffenamts. Most components appear to have been renumbered by Simson, bearing Simson & Suhl's font and larger font size. Interior of right grip panel bears an eagle over "H" waffenamt. Front grip strap bears "L.Mg.96" indicating issue to the Prussian Landjagerei Magdeburg's police unit. The frame's sear safety cut has been filled in, with the receiver retaining it's sear safety modification. All numbers are matching, with the exception of the barrel, which only bears a "5", as well as the grips, which are unnumbered. This example is accompanied by 1 matching magazine. CONDITION: Major metal components retain the vast majority of their arsenal reapplied blue finish, exhibiting some areas of wear and thinning that show through to brown and gray patinas. Strawed components retain some of their reapplied finish, exhibiting wear to gray patina all around. Bore is bright, exhibiting light oxidation and fair rifling throughout. Grips show some smoothing and impressions, but are otherwise sturdy and serviceable. A nice Post-World War I Police issued P.08. MLW