The Walther P08, often known simply as the Luger pistol, is one of the most famous handguns in history. Developed by Georg Luger in 1898, it was introduced as the standard pistol of the German army in 1908. The P08 achieved iconic status through its use in both world wars and is still prized by gun collectors and shooters today due to its distinctive design and technical innovations.

Development and technology

The Walther P08 is based on the Borchardt C-93 mechanism, which was improved by Luger to optimize the reliability and handling of the weapon. It has a distinctive bent bolt design that moves backwards and upwards when fired. This system enables very precise guidance of the slide, resulting in high shooting accuracy. The P08 is loaded with 9mm Parabellum ammunition, a caliber that was also developed by Luger and is also known as 9mm Luger after the pistol. This caliber has become the worldwide standard for military and police pistols.

Design and features

The Walther P08 is characterized by its ergonomic design. The shape of the grip and the arrangement of the controls have been designed to enable quick and intuitive handling. Another striking feature is the "Luger" front sight, a simple but effective beam and rear sight that supports rapid target acquisition. The P08 was available in different barrel lengths, including the standard version with a 4-inch barrel and the artillery version with an 8-inch barrel, which could also be fitted with a detachable shoulder stock holster.

Matching numbers

An interesting aspect of the Walther P08 is the so-called matching numbers. In the manufacture of military weapons, it was customary to assign the same serial number to all essential parts of a weapon. This practice served to simplify the allocation of spare parts and to speed up maintenance. On the P08, therefore, all major components, including the bolt, barrel, frame and even smaller parts such as the trigger group and magazine spring, were marked with matching numbers. Guns with fully matching numbers are particularly popular with collectors today and fetch higher prices as they are considered more authentic and valuable.

Historical significance

The Walther P08 played an important role in military history. During the First World War, it was one of the main sidearms of the German armed forces. Despite the development of newer pistol models, the P08 remained in use during the Second World War and was prized by soldiers for its reliability and accuracy. After the war, production of the P08 was eventually discontinued, but its presence in military conflicts and its influence on the development of handguns are undisputed.

P08 on the market today

The value of a Walther P08 can vary considerably depending on factors such as condition, matching numbers, year of manufacture, historical significance and rarity of certain variants. In general, prices for a Walther P08 in good condition can start at around €1,000 and can be well over €6,000 for particularly rare or well-preserved examples. Pistols with completely matching numbers and those from early production or with special markings are particularly sought-after and reach higher prices. The market for historic firearms such as the P08 is buoyant, with collectors and shooters alike interested in these iconic weapons. Auctions and specialist dealers are common places to buy and sell, with the condition and authenticity of the gun being crucial to its value.

In summary, the Walther P08 is significant not only for its unique design and technical features, but also for its historical heritage. The practice of matching numbers emphasizes the care and precision that went into making these guns, making each P08 a piece of history. For collectors and shooting sports enthusiasts, the Luger pistol remains a fascinating example of engineering and military tradition.