Product Information
This is a fascinating PO8 Luger. Originally it was made by Erfurt in 1918 as an artillery Luger. Only artillery Lugers were manufactured with a slot at the front of the receiver. This is where the rear sight would sit when mounted on the 8 inch barrel. The initials "RC" above the acceptance stamps, mean Revisions Commission, indicate a serviceable luger that had parts fail their initial inspection because of non-critical tolerance or external flaws. This marked is most commonly found on Erfurt manufactured Lugers. Post WWI it was re-barreled with a 4 inch barrel. Under the Treaty of Versailles, German forces were only permitted to have pistols with barrels no longer than 10cm. During WWII this Luger was in service again before being captured by the Russians. The WWII toggle has the Nazi makers code "42" (Mauser) and Eagle proof stamp. The Russian property stamp "X" is stamped below the serial number above the trigger guard.
In the aftermath of WWII Germany was broken up into East & West and so began the Cold War period. The communist East Germany or German Democratic Republic, armed its forces with these captured Russian weapons and marked them accordingly. This one is marked with "Volkspolizei" - VOPO or National Police Force emblem and shield with sun rays. Another very interesting feature is the magazine. It is coded "2/1001", means it was manufactured in the old Haenel Schmeisser facility in the early 1950s.
If you are looking for a pistol that has "been there and done it" then look no further. Very few weapons now exist with such compelling and comprehensive markings of their service life.
Deactivated to current specifications with moving slide, trigger and safety lever. The magazine can be removed.
This item is available for purchase and is currently at the proof house being certificated
To order Call 01547 529093 or 05603 416575 or email sales@deactivated-guns.co.uk.
