In 97% very crisp condition we have an all matching including the magazine, German WWII issued 1940 dated Mauser made 42 code P.08 Luger Pistol with Japanese Kanji Markings. The bore is excellent and other than the Japanese markings it’s a very textbook example of Mauser’s 1940 production.
To say these guns are unusual is an understatement. All known examples are 42 code 1940 dated and many Also have an imperial chrysanthemum crest on top of the receiver in addition to the Kanji inscription on the barrel. There is absolutely no concrete written information on these pistols to establish their origin and originality or their non originality. This example came from the estate of a deceased Luger collector and I have no information beyond that.
Scotty’s Collector Insights…no one knows anything concrete about these “Japanese Lugers” . If you look on the gun forums you will find a worthless spew of speculation coming from hack collectors or people who have appointed themselves as “knowledgable”. In all candor I see more Lugers in a month than most of these folks will see in a lifetime! I am certainly no expert on anything but I have had 45 years of intense observation as a professional dealer and broker. Either this is an extremely rare Luger within a Japanese context or it is an extremely rare post WWII fabrication. I am not ignorantly arrogant enough to offer an opinion either way. we are simply offering it at the request of an important client and significant Luger collector.
