This is a fantastic example of a very rare, 1936 Mauser contract P.08 Luger as produced for the country of Iran (formerly Persia prior to 1935) Government. These rare commercial contract Lugers were produced at the same time the commercial Mauser Banners were being manufactured and are identical except that these have all their markings in Farsi. There were two contracts for this model of Luger, one was in 1936 and the second contract was in 1942, with 1,000 pistols ordered in each contract, that consist of both short and artillery type Luger pistols. These are an extremely rare Luger as very few examples were ever released by the Iranian Government. The top of the chamber area is marked with the National Coat of Arms for Iran exactly like those on the Mauser Model 49 rifles and carbines. The left side of the barrel extension has the small Mauser "Crown/U" proof mark and the right side of the barrel extension and under side of the barrel both has a small Iranian "Crown/Scimitar" type acceptance proof. The front toggle has a long Persian/Farsi inscription, (which may translate to Mauser) and as noted all the pistol markings, safety, extractor, serial number etc. are all in Farsi. The serial number has been translated to (1953) so it is assumed that this exceptional pistol was produced at the end of the first contract in 1936/1937 time frame, with each of the smaller parts carrying the last two digits (53) in Farsi, except the firing pin and grips which are all unnumbered. As noted this is a complete Persian Luger rig that is accompanied by a very rare brown contract holster. The holster itself is very similar to the standard mid-1930s commercial model however the belt loops and one end of the pull tab are secured to the back side of the holster with a small flat, brown rivet. Inside the holster is a take down tool pouch but without any cover/closure. On the back side of the holster flap is a small circular makers mark or inspection stamp. It's approximately the size of a quarter with Farsi markings around the outside with a small (unidentifiable) emblem inside. The lower edge of the circle is stamped "TABRIZ". This type of proof certainly would indicate that the holster was made in Iran. It is complete with two original Persian/Iranian contract nickel plated magazines with the aluminum bases. Both bases are numbered in Farsi, one is numbered (3273) and the other one is numbered (683). The takedown tool looks original to the rig, it is unmarked. The grips are the correct checkered walnut version that is numbered on the left grip only.

Excellent with 98% original blue finish with wear on edges and high spots overall, such as the side plate hump and front muzzle area. The various small parts all retain 80% of their straw colors. The grips are in excellent condition, with nice original checkering with sharp distinct checkered diamonds on both sides with no crack or damage with only a couple of minor light pressure dents. The holster is in very fine condition with a nice light brown color overall with excellent tight stitching showing some minor light scuffs/minor scratches on the front and top of the flap with very nice distinct markings on the inside of the flap. A very rare Persian 4 inch barrel contract Luger rig.