P08 byf42

[Markus2901]

Nothing special, I just want to show... Completely matching, ready to fire and in salty condition. Never in collectors hand.

[N.C. Wyeth]

Very nice!

[RamJet]

I like the wear!

Have a byf41 which looks almost the same - but it is deactivated.

[the_stig]

Thanks for sharing. I have a 40' dated luger in similar condition that also has a few partial finger prints like on your toggle link. Any ideas what can cause this? Blood, sweaty fingers..?

[P08]

Nice byf. The fingerprints have nothing to do with "bloody fingers". More likely sweaty fingers I've seen such fingerprints on much newer guns in civilian ownership.

[Johnny Peppers]

The grips don't show much wear, which would lead me to believe the pistol was not stored correctly for many years and ended up pitted. The German soldier just didn't let his pistol remain rusty for that long. Most collectors do tend to preserve their pistols.
This is a Colt Model 1911 which was suppose to be bullet struck during the battel for Iwo Jima. It shows much neglect after it was brought home rather than rust formed during the time it served.

[pvluger]

I like the wear to it as well. If it could only talk...

[Alan Smith]

I think what Johnny is saying is that if the P.08 in question "could talk", it would complain bitterly about having survived WWII with little or no use (having rested safely in a warehouse/storage depot), only to be ignored, neglected and otherwise disrespected by post-war civilian owners.

[pvluger]

Oh...I was agreeing with ramjet, but it is a shame when artifacts like these are left to deteriorate.

[james m]

The grips don't show much wear, which would lead me to believe the pistol was not stored correctly for many years and ended up pitted. The German soldier just didn't let his pistol remain rusty for that long. Most collectors do tend to preserve their pistols.
This is a Colt Model 1911 which was suppose to be bullet struck during the battel for Iwo Jima. It shows much neglect after it was brought home rather than rust formed during the time it served.

Interesting story re. Iwo Jima since this 45 auto appears to never have been upgraded from it's WW I configuration. Note the flat mainspring housing,diamond walnut grips etc.
Jim

[Johnny Peppers]

Interesting story re. Iwo Jima since this 45 auto appears to never have been upgraded from it's WW I configuration. Note the flat mainspring housing,diamond walnut grips etc.
Jim

The Marines tended to hang onto what they had, as they always seemed to be the stepchild of the military. Impossible to tell from the pictures, but it could have possibly been refinished and major original parts reused. Quite a few late Model 1911 Colts built after WWI ended went to Nicaragua with the Marines. This pistol could very well be a veteran of the Nicaragua campaigns before the Pacific.

[james m]

The Marines tended to hang onto what they had, as they always seemed to be the stepchild of the military. Impossible to tell from the pictures, but it could have possibly been refinished and major original parts reused. Quite a few late Model 1911 Colts built after WWI ended went to Nicaragua with the Marines. This pistol could very well be a veteran of the Nicaragua campaigns before the Pacific.

Could be. An interesting relic non the less and I would like to have it in a display of mine. Is this yours? I have relic pistols of my own on display and sometimes I get more comments and interest shown in these than the pristine examples I own!
Jim

[Johnny Peppers]

Could be. An interesting relic non the less and I would like to have it in a display of mine. Is this yours? I have relic pistols of my own on display and sometimes I get more comments and interest shown in these than the pristine examples I own!
Jim

A very interesting pistol, but not mine. I would love to see it close enough to tell what vintage it is.

This pistol was issued to a SeaBee in WWII. It was originally made in 1916, and still has all the original parts. Colt only made slightly over 4200 Model 1911's during 1916, and part of those are unique in that the government inspector at Colt, Frank Hosmer, was transferred to San Antonio Arsenal for a period of time that year, and William E. Strong took his place. Instead of the customary H on the major parts, an S was now used.

[the_stig]

I think what Johnny is saying is that if the P.08 in question "could talk", it would complain bitterly about having survived WWII with little or no use (having rested safely in a warehouse/storage depot), only to be ignored, neglected and otherwise disrespected by post-war civilian owners.

I would think most weapons made in 1942 would have been issued at some point. That was the height of the war with many soldiers to arm.