1206

EXTREMELY UNUSUAL, UNSERIALIZED, MAUSER WWII "BYF"

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
EXTREMELY UNUSUAL, UNSERIALIZED, MAUSER WWII  BYF
CODE "1940" DATE P.08 LUGER SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 9mm Luger. NSN. Bbl. 3 15/16". P.08 Luger semi-automatic pistol mfg. by Mauser in 1940. The top of the bbl. extension is marked with the 4-digit year of mfg. "1940", with no Mauser arsenal proofs marked on the right. Toggle is marked with Mauser's "byf" mfg. code. Bbl. is marked with a Mauser Eagle/655 acceptance proof, with a Mauser "42" code proof (indicating Mauser mfg. armorer's spare part/component) marked on the underside. Front of trigger guard bow is unusually marked with a German military eagle firing proof, with a German military droop eagle firing proof marked on the left side of the breechblock. Takedown lever, sideplate, and hold-open latch exhibit an Imperial German Erfurt arsenal crowned proof, indicating mfg. as an armorer's spare part/component. Firing pin is marked "HZaJt18" indicating origin from Heeres-Zeugamter Ingolstadt (Ordnance Depot Ingolstadt). Additionally, and most unusual about this example is the lack of a S# on any part, including major components like the frame and bbl. extension, with the only S# present being "78" on the safety lever. Thorough inspection indicates no signs of any markings, numbers, or proofs having been removed, nor any parts having been refinished. Frame, trigger, bbl./bbl. extension, ejector, breechblock, toggles, and grip screws exhibit a salt blue finish, with the ejector having acquired a plum coloration. Takedown lever and safety lever exhibit a straw finish. Sideplate appears to exhibit a rust blue finish, with the entire hold-open latch assembly being polished in-the-white. Firing pin exhibits areas of straw-like coloration from apparent heat treatment. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered wood grips, each marked with a Mauser "S/42" proof on the interior, the left panel also marked with a Mauser Eagle/WaA655 proof. Standard P.08 dovetailed blade front sight and fixed V-notch rear sight. Conclusively, based off of proofing (or lack there of), this example appears to be a P.08 that was assembled from spare on hand parts at a repair depot, possibly Ingolstadt. MAGS: 1 plated 8-rd. mag., with unnumbered wood plug marked with an Erfurt crown proof. CONDITION: excellent, with metal components retaining the vast majority of their original factory finishes, exhibiting some light edge wear that is fading to gray patina, as well as some scattered superficial handling marks overall. Grip straps exhibit light wear thinning that is lightly showing through to a gray patina. Brilliant mirror bore, retaining sharp and well defined rifling throughout. Proper manual mechanics. Grips are very good to excellent overall. A extremely unusual, intriguing, and high condition Mauser P.08 Luger that warrants additional research. (25-5036/MLW). CURIO. $1,000-1,500.