Not really Axis, but it is German and therfore Central Powers

[8x57mauser]

Not really Axis, but it is German and therfore Central Powers (Range report added)

picked this up relatively cheap, bore is rough but still very shootable. bought is just to have as a shooter grade and carry for reenacting. matching numbers Erfurt, 1916 dated.

 

[gill120]

That looks more like a Florida Drivers License number scratched on the side. Years ago people were told to do that, to items in case they were stolen and recovered ,they could be returned. Know anybody at the BMV ?

 

[8x57mauser]

i thought it was a drivers license number at first but best match i have been able to come up with is a SSN for a person born in Maine in 1950

 

[8x57mauser]

may have a nasty pitted bore but dang if it aint a damn good shooter. that was 115gr brown bear steel cased.

 

[mjones]

8X57mauser,
Great deal. From the photos it appears to be a matching DWM WW1 P08 with a WW1 wood bottom mag. Is the mag serial numbered? WW1 P08s were also issued in WW2 so lots of history in that one. Miss-matched shooters go $800 plus so you did well. I too believe the # etched looks like a drivers license number. Great catch.
Mike

 

[8x57mauser]

It would appear to be in fact be a Florida drivers license number as mentioned above. When deciphered comes back to a Melvin M. W????? born January 1, 1923 which would put him ages 18-22 during US involvement in WWII which would possibly make this a WWII bring back, having trouble finding any other info or a complete last name at the moment.

If i can better track the number to a Last name i could possible even look up Military records. I'd say for now, the $695 price tag was well worth it.

 

[8x57mauser]

The mag is actually a repro with a wood bottom, no numbers. every other number on the gun is completely matching. Sad part is that i was looking through some online auctions for Luger mags and found a wood bottom mag that is all four numbers matching to this gun but the seller wants $375 for it. if i had it i would probably be tempted to pay it too....

8X57mauser,
Great deal. From the photos it appears to be a matching DWM WW1 P08 with a WW1 wood bottom mag. Is the mag serial numbered? WW1 P08s were also issued in WW2 so lots of history in that one. Miss-matched shooters go $800 plus so you did well. I too believe the # etched looks like a drivers license number. Great catch.
Mike

 

[Cactus Jack]

picked this up relatively cheap, $695. condition is rough, bore is rough but still very shootable. bought is just to have as a shooter grade and carry for reenacting. matching numbers DWM, 1918 dated. has what appears to be a person initials and a social security number etched on the left hand side. between that and the condition i am inclined to speculate that it possibly could be a Vietnam bring back. either way, the price was right so i grabbed it. didnt notice the SSN and initials until i unboxed it today.

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I just bought this exact pistol in the Dallas, Texas area on 1/20/2015

Cactus Jack