New 1939 P.08 "42" - Need help with sideplate issue..

[JoeW]

Interesting story about the Russian capture "X". Any written substantiation behind that or is it forum chatter?

Were they exporting P08s to the US in the 1970s. That's when I bought my 42 code with a nice "X" next to the serial number. The story back then was that it was a Wehrmacht problem/rework mark. My gun was 97% matching.

[Rylan]

Joe, the "X" by the serial number does in fact mean it is a russian capture. Interesting theory about a rework gun, but I don't think that is the case. Other than the grips, this gun is all matching, so that kind of throws out the "rework" gun idea. Plus I really can't see the germans marking a big crude "X" on their guns. The russian capture Lugers don't bother me so much though, what I dislike is the lack of finish left. But that's just me.

And thanks to you Jerry for the info, I'm glad to hear it is not a permanent alteration to the gun, because I never like screwing with these things too much. I'm glad to see you are actively participating on the WAF

[JoeW]

The gun being matched does not mean it was not "reworked" in some manner by a field arsenal. If the "x" does in fact mean soviet capture, why were such guns found in the US years ago before the release of former Soviet stores of captured equipment. Is there some documentation about the marking or is it a "story".

[GWA]

The Soviet block began unloading P08's on the US market as early as the sixties when VOPO guns first started to show up in US Army PX's and Rod and Gun Clubs in Germany.

In other cases they were moved out of the Soviet Block via Austria as the former group of vassal states were not eligible for US purchases of these weapons. As a neutral Austria was not restricted and weapons could then be exported to the US or third states.