Luger P 08 Parabellum. The most Unique Semiautomatic Pistol of all time.
One of the most successful and famous
pistols of all time, the legendary P08 Parabellum, designed by Georg
Luger was manufactured by the DWM (Deutsche Waffen und
Munitionsfabriken) and saw service in Both World Wars. in the
German and
Swiss military, usually as an officers' sidearm. They were in service
in the Swiss military starting in 1900, and Germany in 1904. Both the
Imperial German Army and Navy used the P08. It found it's way
to
various parts of the world, and even saw use in the Chinese Civil War.
The American military also bought 1,000 of the P08 pistols for field
testing, although they ended up going with the now legendary M1911 .45
semiautomatic pistol.
In the early 1900's there was a lot of devlopment and modification to
the P08 which ranged from 7.65mm to 9mm, and even included a version
which had a 32-round drum-type magazine affixed to the butt, along with
a removable wooden stock, that fit cleverly into a holster.
In
the 1920's, there was also a long-barreled commerical civilian model
produced.
While modern firearms load and eject by pulling the breech slide
straight
backward and letting it spring forward, the P08 has a hinged arm that
is pulled upward, forming an "A"shape by using a textured knob, which
then springs back into place, loading the firing chamber. An 8-round
spring-loaded magazine inserted into butt of the grip supplies the
ammunition. This design is instantly recognizable and makes the P08 one
of the most famous pistols of all time. It is also, for the most part,
the first 9mm semiautomatic pistol, a format still manufactured today
by many firearms producers.
In addition the the innovative locking mechanism, the P08 was also
noted for it's accuracy, ease of use, and is easy to take down and
reassemble for maintenance.
In 1930 production was
assumed by the Mauser company, who made the P08 until 1943, when the
war in Germany started to go downhill. The famous "Parabellum" was a
favorite sidearm of German officers, and was still in wide use in World
War II, even after the introduction of the more modern P38, made by
Walther. There was also a commercial version of the gun with an
extended barrel, made in the 1920's.
Many of the P08 pistols were captured by allied troops and taken home
to end up in various private collections, and are still in circulation
today, and often turn up in auctions. They are available in various
states of repair, and most still are able to fire rounds, which are
still available, mostly in the successful 9mm format. They are now very
expensive to acquire. They can range anywhere from $1,000 to upwards of
$8,500, or even more.
The popularity of the P08 has waned little owing to it's sleek, compact
design, the mystique of their connection to NAZI Germany, not the
mention the incredibly unique locking mechanism that loads and ejects
cartridges like no other gun ever made.
Firearm Type:
Toggle-Lock Action, Short-Recoil Semi-Automatic Pistol
Nation Of Manufacture: Germany
Military Service Dates : 1900-1945
Variations: P08, Lange Pistole 08
(Artillery),
Ammunition: 7.62mm, 9mm Parabellum
Center-Fire Cartridge
Wars: World War I, World War II, Chinese
Civil War
Recent Prices at Auction for Originals: US
$700-$3,000+
Interested in an authentic replica Luger P08
Parabellum?
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