Picked up my first Luger today

What caliber is it? Looks to be a 1920 Commercial Luger to me.

Dropyourweapon said:

I am pretty sure its a 7.65x21. It's ok to buy a gun not knowing what cartridge it shoots right? The hole in the barrel looked smaller than 9mm. I did notice that. And looking in the barrel from the other end it looks like its contoured to the necked down one.

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So, 30 Luger? Its commonly chambered for the 1920's Lugers.

Dropyourweapon said:

Yeah so a .30 Luger made in 1920? I find Lugers to be very confusing.

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Well, close. Its hard to say the exact date on it. Best to check the serial num with what is available online to date it. 1920-1930's most like. There are others that know more then I on this matter to confirm it for you.

is there no chamber date?

Dropyourweapon said:

Ok thanks. Yeah maybe someone will come across this who can confirm or tell me a bit more. But I appreciate the information. That is more than I had so far.

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Might want to go over to Simpson LTD and check out their's, they have a very large selection of Lugers of all sorts, its a great place to gather more info on what you have.

When I was in gunsmithing school they had a Luger identification book. It had a system where it asked you questions a yes would take you to page X, a no would take you to page Y. With enough questions answered you would end up at the correct model. It was sort of like a choose your own adventure book. Unfortunately I don't have the ISBN number for the book. I am sure it is on Amazon. It may be this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Luger-Handbo...=8-4-fkmr1&keywords=luger+identification+book

http://forum.lugerforum.com

Nice one.. The guys here just helped me . http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=39079

Fiocchi makes a soft-nosed 30 Luger round. I don't know of any factory hollow point loads. It's a very pleasant round to shoot because of its low recoil.

The Fiocchi soft nose 7.65 Luger ammo expands nicely, I have slaughtered sheep and goats with it

total recoil said:

is there no chamber date?

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My 1923 dated Commercial in .30Luger doesn't have one either. From what I read it's the norm for the post WW1 commercials.

Start here , maybe? http://www.lugerforum.com

You did okay. Definitely not taken for a ride.

It’s a nice one.

Commercials were a bit better finished than their military brethren. Also, military guns tend to have their numbers stamped in more visible places. For example, military side plates are marked on the outside, and commercial side plates are marked on the inside (the side you don’t see).

As you’ve noted, the last two numbers of the serial are commonly seen on minor parts. And you’ll know it’s a 9mm gun if you look where the barrel and upper frame meet, near the witness marks. 9mm guns are stamped in that location. Otherwise it’s likely in .30 Luger. If you arent sure then a gunsmith should measure the chamber for you and tell you what it is chambered in. Not expensive, and will give you peace of mind as you select the correct ammo for your gun.

That WOULD have been my guess, but like I said, you probably ought to have a smith measure the chamber to be sure, based on your latest picture. And check headspace.

Your barrel appears to read 295, whereas the frame reads 9987. That could indicate a rebarrel, which in case I’d suggest that you may have overpaid.

You really need to get good pics of all markings over to the luger forum and get them to advise you.

It's a nice looking P08, sounds like you didn't buy it as an investment, that's the guys who are really careful about price. I have a 1920 Commercial in 7.65 too, and right away I was told I overpaid for it. But I wanted a shooter, and that's what I got. To me it's a treasure, I don't care what anyone else thinks.

Most "Commercial" 1920 Luger's have Germany or Made in Germany stamped on front of frame under the barrel. They are usually rebarreled into shorter length an 7.65 from 9 mm war products of various stages of assembly. You have a lot of "straw " heat hardening evident , which is good for value. There is never a barrel date on ,1920 production guns. Most barrels are sub 4 inch, yours looks like 4 " . Your gun appears possibly reblued at a later date, they all were reblued military guns from the factory. Your gun is worth what you paid for it and a little more. It is an ideal shooter, I much prefer the 7.65mm as a shooter.