P7M8 Identification.

[Orobas]

Hello everyone,
I'm new as a member of the forums but I've been reading for years.

I'm attempting to determine the authenticity, value, rarity etc. of a P7M8 that I purchased a number of years ago through an online auction. Here's the story I got at the time:

"This gun was a factory Hard-Chrome job procured by the German government for issue to officers but, in this case, never actually saw issue. When the P7 pistol was decommissioned as a police sidearm, this item did not have the serial scrubbed due to the fact that was sold directly from the warehouse."

The proof marks, including the Federal Eagle "BWB" are intact on the slide and frame, and there is an 8/96 on the slide near the muzzle, rather than the standard HK date code (other P7s in my collection are AB). There is no import label on the gun, nor any safety warnings. The finish is a high-polish, extremely durable chrome, not at all similar to the pictures of factory or Robar nickel guns (matte nickel) that I have seen on this site. All I have at the moment is a poor quality pic from my phone, but I will upload others later, as well as posting a portion of the serial.

http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr153/Ygoloneo/Image000.jpg?t=1224020628

Question: Am I a Sucker?

It is a beautiful piece, has all the matching accessories (serialed box), 2 mags, and about 100 rds through it. Otherwise, it has been sitting in my safe for 8 years.

Thanks, everyone for all the great info over the years!!!

-Josh in Sacramento-

[thldorian]

Hi Josh,

No you are not a sucker that is a nice P7.
However to the best of my knowledge HK has never offered a factory Hard-Chrome finish.

Dorian

[dano1200r]

If you post the ser #, some members here will be able to find its hx. Or you could call HK too. I don't think I've ever heard of a secret officer chroming operation. Would like to see some good pics.

[Sobriquet]

I'm far from an expert on the P7, but my understanding is factory finished nickel guns have black grip screws. My suspicion is that that's an aftermarket finish, but I'd wait for someone else here who knows more about it.

[Limey]

Its one of the various Imported M8 batches from 2001-2002.
I bought a few of them at the time. Some had pluming or slight holster wear
and many were therefore hardchromed (Little Movie called "Diehard".....)
It been hardchromed here. Looks like a typical Fords, Metalife or Metalloy job
with polished flats. The story as you clearly suspect is BS. Its a fine
M8 and worth around 1200 bucks or so as described.

[Orobas]

Sorry for the delay, flu had me down for a few days there. :( Here are some more pics of the P7:
http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr153/Ygoloneo/DSCN0004.jpg?t=1224475882

[Orobas]

More...
http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr153/Ygoloneo/DSCN0010.jpg?t=1224476006

[Orobas]

IR and JC:
http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr153/Ygoloneo/DSCN0012.jpg?t=1224476077

[Orobas]

Any more information on the (beautiful, if I do say so myself, and I do) gun pictured above would be much appreciated.

Thanks to all.

[Sobriquet]

I don't know anything more than what I said above... but let me be the first to say that is a *beautiful* P7. Simply stunning.

[dano1200r]

Not a factory chrome job, and let's not forget you can have an actual nickel P7(which I do) and change the screws. Thinking of getting the allen heads for mine in SS. But, very nice piece.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

You HC looks alot like the HC on my P7, brushed frame and polished flats.

I was told mine was done by Tripps.

[Orobas]

Definitely sounds like a Tripps job. I've since shown the pictures to a customer at the gun shop where I work who said much the same thing: Matte frame w/ polished flats. Although, I guess we'll really never know :)

[Sobriquet]

Ford's Guns can do that, too.

[HKCHEF]

It looks great no matter who did it.

[jca998]

Do you mind stating how much you paid for it? It's a great gun nonetheless.

[Shakey]

The P7 series is one of those guns that no matter what finish you have it still looks outstanding. My police turn PSP in has the plum colored slide while my M8 is nicely factory blued. The hard chrome looks nice as does a nickel finish. It's just a great looking piece regardless. Enjoy.

[RockJock]

Not a factory chrome job, and let's not forget you can have an actual nickel P7(which I do) and change the screws. Thinking of getting the allen heads for mine in SS. But, very nice piece.

Where do you get the SS allen head screws for the P7 grips?

[wulkyrie]

What is 96/07? I really cannot see the 8/96 imprint.