Luger Pistole 08

[cyberia]

Generally known as the "Luger", the Pistole 08 is amongst the most celebrated pistols ever placed in production. The first Luger pistols for military service were manufactured in 1900 to meet a Swiss order, and the type was also adopted by the German navy during 1904 and then by the German Army in 1908. It was this last order that led to the designation P 08, which became the most important of some 35 or more Luger pistol variants.

Right side view of the Luger P08

The P 08 was the standard German service pistol until 1938, when the P 38 was introduced as its successor, but even so the P 08 remained in production to 1943 and at the end of World War II in 1945 remained in full service for lack of adequate numbers of the P 38. Oddly enough, the P 08 was not a first-class weapon for military use as it was susceptible to jamming when its open toggle mechanism was clogged by dirt. On the other side of the coin, however, the P 08 was a very "pointable" weapon and was therefore fairly accurate. The most common P 08 version had a 0.103m (4.06in) barrel, but the barrel of the naval model was 0.152m (6in) long.

The Luger P08 viewed from the left

Other than Germany, countries that used the P 08 included Abyssinia, Bulgaria, Finland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Persia, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland and Turkey: the Dutch weapons were produced in the UK by Vickers during the early 1920s.

[vitara]

yep i like this germam weapon all ways have al ways will the only thing i am not to shore on are they a .. 8.shot or. 10. shot mag

[cyberia]

The box magazine carried eight rounds. There was also however a 32 round snail magazine and wooden stock available, though I've never hear of these used in the Second World War.

[vitara]

Originally Posted by cyberia

The box magazine carried eight rounds. There was also however a 32 round snail magazine and wooden stock available, though I've never hear of these used in the Second World War.

thanks for that .. 8 shot i have seen the wooden stock on one in a ww1 film
best krieg

[Horch]

I have a WW2 P-38 w/ original holster. One day I hope to add a P-08 to my collection also. But they are a bit more pricey$$$$$$$ in comparison.

[cyberia]

I was given as gift an original Walter PPK. A relative found it in a basement in Bavaria along with all kinds of other stuff.

[Wustenfuchs]

It's interesting to note that a couple of Lugers were manufactured in the American .45acp cartridge. These were for American military trials, the military was impressed and almost chose it over the Colt M1911, which won the contract.

[lorddeathrage]

The snail drum was never really popular because it had a tendency to jam.

[Horch]

Does anybody know anything about the .22 Lugers by Stoeger?

[McCoy]

It was in fact only three Pistole 08 that was chambered in .45 ACP n' sent to the US trials. Today those guns is among the most wanted n' expensive collectors wet dream.

'bout the Stoeger .22 I'd say try to get yer hands on an Erma in .22 instead, a bit more expensive yes but with better quality.