Rare gun with an interesting history: Originally made in 1945/46 in the Mauser Works under French occupation, it was delivered by the French government to the reestablished Austrian Army in 1955/56. Property mark "eagle beside BH" ("Bundesheer" = Federal Army) on lhs of trigger guard. Then all P08s were sold in the mid 1960s by the Army to the commercial market. Our sepcimen was sold to Italy. Caused by reasons of Italian gun legislation a barrel in .30 Luger caliber replaced the original one. During this adoption the gripframe has been reblued. "Mausertonne" on front toogle link, all numbers matching except the milled fxo-magazine, brownish black plastic gip panels (GDR?). Very good bore, Italian proof of 1965, condition II. See MÖTZ/SCHUY, Weiterentwicklung II pp 388, COSTANZO, World of Lugers, p 420 and HALLOCK / VAN DE KANT, The Mauser Parabellum 1930 - 1946, p 599f, 602, and 604.
Category: Pistols