1917 Erfurt P08 not working

[esebm]

Hi,
New user here from Texas.
I inherited a 1917 Erfurt P08 from a friend and I have the impression the gun does not work.
1. The mag slides in then comes back about 1/8" so there's a gap between the wooden bottom piece of the mag and the frame.
2. The top part of the gun slides freely about 1/4" back and forth.
3. When I pull the trigger, nothing happens.
I have field-stripped the gun and everything seems to be in order, at least to my untrained eye.
There is a possibility that the previous owner has disassembled and wrongly reassembled are one or the other part could be missing.
Can someone advice what to do to get the gun into working condition?
Thanks,
Ed

[AZPhil]

I have a DWM 1916 P08.
So let me try these questions.
For your #1?
When you insert and set the mag , Does the mag catch activate?
For #2
Do you have the safety on Safe position or the GESICHERT position? (If on Safe, Action only moves slight rearward)
For #3
Do you have the safety on Safe position or the GESICHERT position?( If on Safe, Trigger will not trip sear)

You mentioned you field stripped it. Did you remove the toggle and bolt?
Have you removed the grips?

Some pic's would help and there are multiple videos on Utube on how to disassemble and reassemble.

One more question for ya.
Is this a deactivated P08?

Semper Fi
Phil

[guns ltd]

Pictures?????

[Rescue190]

Pics would help. From what you have stated I am guessing a parts assembled gun. Do all of the parts have matching numbers? Most P.08 were hand fitted and parts interchangeability is not guaranteed. Springs may also be weak if original. There are several issues related to mags which pics would bring to light. Mag safety? Sear safety? I understand it is marked 1917 but the gun has likely been reworked one or two times since the original build.
John

[esebm]

Thanks a bunch for the quick responses.
Here are some answers:
1. Yes, the mag catches and comes back out 1/8".
2./3. No, not in safe position
Yes, I had removed toggle, bolt and grips.
I'm not sure what deactivated means.
This particular gun was exchanged for an American hand gun on armistice day in Nov. 1918 between an American and German soldier. It has been in the same family ever since, never reworked or even shot.

[Rescue190]

Pictures are required to assist you further.
John

[esebm]

What kind of pictures are exactly required?
Assembled or disassembled?

[AZPhil]

A pic with the side plate removed and a pic of the TRIGGER LEVER PIn & TRIGGER LEVER. Pic of mag inserted with the grips off.

On this diagram

CMR Classic Firearms :: Luger Pistol P-08 Parabellum Parts

#039
#107 & 108
#13,14,15 , 18 and 19.
and how 09(coupling link is attached to 34 (the main spring guide)

An over all shot of the left side with the trigger side plate and the grip removed. Also a pic of the mag with the catch slot visible.

Is there a firing pin spring?

Just trying to see what might be your issue here.

And to answer your question about DEACTIVATED. Certain countries and some folks will render the firearm useless by removing or restricting certain movement of the parts on the pistol.
It is required by some countries to legally posses pistols and rifles.. These are also called DEWAT(Deactivated War Trophy)

A pic can be worth a 1000 words!
Semper Fi
Phil

[MAP]

A pic with the side plate removed and a pic of the TRIGGER LEVER PIn & TRIGGER LEVER. Pic of mag inserted with the grips off.

On this diagram

CMR Classic Firearms :: Luger Pistol P-08 Parabellum Parts

#039
#107 & 108
#13,14,15 , 18 and 19.
and how 09(coupling link is attached to 34 (the main spring guide)

An over all shot of the left side with the trigger side plate and the grip removed. Also a pic of the mag with the catch slot visible.

Is there a firing pin spring?

Just trying to see what might be your issue here.

And to answer your question about DEACTIVATED. Certain countries and some folks will render the firearm useless by removing or restricting certain movement of the parts on the pistol.
It is required by some countries to legally posses pistols and rifles.. These are also called DEWAT(Deactivated War Trophy)

A pic can be worth a 1000 words!
Semper Fi
Phil

Lol....I always knew what a DEWAT is but not what it meant

[esebm]

OK, I'll take the pictures today.