41 - - . its parts to interact properly. So, in 1938, the P.08 was officially replaced by the P.38 pistol, a double-action/single-action pistol designed by the Walther company in Germany to be more economically produced. Still, Lugers continued to be produced through 1942 as substitute standard arms, albeit with much less attention to fit and finish. World War Two marked the “official end” of Luger production, although Mauser has produced some limited runs and a stainless steel version was made for a while in the United States. One enter- prising gunsmithing outfit in the U.S. produced a few .45 ACP Lugers, replicating the original proto- types made in Germany. A friend of mine, an avid Luger collector, has one. I have handled it with awe – it was perfectly made and fitted to the highest stan- dards. Needless to say, it was very expen- sive to manufacture and to acquire. Please don’t write and ask where to obtain one, because that was a long time ago, and I don’t remember where he got it. I men- tion it only as a very special piece I was privileged to view and handle. Lugers have been bought and used by Germany, the United States, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Brazil, Chile, China, Holland, Iran, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Rumania, Russia and Turkey. In addition to DWM and Mauser, Lugers have also been produced by the Erfurt and Spandau arsenals in Germany; Simpson & Company (Suhl, Germany); and Heinrich Krieghoff Waffenfabrik, also of Suhl. Two non-German companies, Vickers- Armstrong Ltd. in England and Waffenfabrik Bern in Switzerland have also manufactured Lugers. Although most commonly encountered in 7.65 and 9mm Parabellum, other known chamberings include .32 ACP, .380 ACP, and the aforemen- tioned .45 ACP. There are also a few .22 Long Rifle, 4mm and 6mm conversion units extant. The Luger is very pleasant and instinctive to shoot. Its grip angle allows one to point it like a finger, and it settles on target easily. The trigger, because of its convoluted design, is somewhat mushy, not to the taste of those of us weaned on the excellent 1911 pistol trigger. The gun is inher- ently accurate, since it is so closely fitted. Although some have claimed that it’s not always reliable, the ones I have owned have been quite reliable, given proper ammunition loaded to stout power levels. Underpowered ammo will often not have the “oomph” neces- sary to operate the toggle mechanism. Really excellent examples should probably not be shot, although they could be. In the interest of maintain- ing value, better specimens should be considered as “safe queens” and objects of art rather than working guns. Although the pistol itself is quite complex, takedown into the major components is quite easy. After unloading, push the muzzle against a solid object, twist the takedown lever down, take off the side plate, pull the barrel and receiver forward out of the grip frame, remove the rear toggle pin, and the pistol practically disassembles itself. Cleaning the barrel through the breech end is possible and recommended. The Luger has been featured in innu- merable Hollywood and foreign films, usually in the hands of guys and gals who needed the mystique of this sleek and sinister-looking pistol to enhance their “bad” images. It’s profile is unmistakable, and surviving specimens are in high demand world-wide. Many collectors specialize in the Luger, and fantastic and expensive collections have been built. It does seem that most are always seeking one or more rare variations to “complete” their collections, although that pinnacle may never be reached. Even run-of-the- mill P.08s will now run over $1,000 in value. If you have one or more, they are treasures. Steeped in history and mystique, the Luger will always be a true classic handgun. It’s a “must include” on anyone’s list of unique firearms. D P 08 “Luger” Parabellum Pistol New Blue Press Section 2 7/14/08 8:57 AM Page 41
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its parts to interact properly. So, in 1938, theP.08 was officially replaced by the P.38 pistol,a double-action/single-action pistol designedby the Walther company in Germany to bemore economically produced. Still, Lugerscontinued to be produced through 1942 assubstitute standard arms, albeit with much lessattention to fit and finish.
World War Two marked the “official end” ofLuger production, although Mauser has producedsome limited runs and a stainless steel version wasmade for a while in the United States. One enter-prising gunsmithing outfit in the U.S. produced afew .45 ACP Lugers, replicating the original proto-types made in Germany. A friend of mine, an avidLuger collector, has one. I have
handledit with awe – itwas perfectlymade and fitted tothe highest stan-dards. Needless tosay, it was very expen-sive to manufacture andto acquire. Please don’twrite and ask where toobtain one, because that was along time ago, and I don’tremember where he got it. I men-tion it only as a very special piece Iwas privileged to view and handle.
Lugers have been bought andused by Germany, the United States,Bulgaria, Switzerland, Brazil, Chile,China, Holland, Iran, Luxembourg, Mexico,Norway, Portugal, Rumania, Russia and Turkey. Inaddition to DWM and Mauser, Lugers have alsobeen produced by the Erfurt and Spandau arsenalsin Germany; Simpson & Company (Suhl,Germany); and Heinrich Krieghoff Waffenfabrik,
also of Suhl. Two non-German companies, Vickers-Armstrong Ltd. in England and Waffenfabrik Bernin Switzerland have also manufactured Lugers.Although most commonly encountered in 7.65and 9mm Parabellum, other known chamberingsinclude .32 ACP, .380 ACP, and the aforemen-tioned .45 ACP. There are also a few .22 LongRifle, 4mm and 6mm conversion units extant.
The Luger is very pleasant and instinctive toshoot. Its grip angle allows one to point it like afinger, and it settles on target easily. The trigger,because of its convoluted design, is somewhatmushy, not to the taste of those of us weaned onthe excellent 1911 pistol trigger. The gun is inher-ently accurate, since it is so closely fitted.
Although some have claimed that it’s notalways reliable, the ones I have owned
have been quite reliable, given properammunition loaded to stout powerlevels. Underpowered ammo willoften not have the “oomph” neces-sary to operate the toggle mechanism.Really excellent examples shouldprobably not be shot, although theycould be. In the interest of maintain-ing value, better specimens shouldbe considered as “safe queens” and
objects of art rather than working guns.Although the pistol itself is quite complex,
takedown into the major components is quite easy.After unloading, push the muzzle against a solidobject, twist the takedown lever down, take off theside plate, pull the barrel and receiver forward out
of the grip frame, remove the rear toggle pin,and the pistol practically disassembles itself.
Cleaning the barrel through the breech endis possible and recommended.
The Luger has been featured in innu-merable Hollywood and foreign films,
usually in the hands of guys and galswho needed the mystique of this
sleek and sinister-looking pistolto enhance their “bad” images.It’s profile is unmistakable, andsurviving specimens are in highdemand world-wide. Manycollectors specialize in theLuger, and fantastic andexpensive collections have
been built. It does seem thatmost are always seeking one or
more rare variations to “complete”their collections, although that pinnacle
may never be reached. Even run-of-the-mill P.08s will now run over $1,000 in value. Ifyou have one or more, they are treasures.Steeped in history and mystique, the Luger willalways be a true classic handgun. It’s a “mustinclude” on anyone’s list of unique firearms. DP
he P.0088 ““LLuuggeerr”” PPaarraabbeelllluumm PPiissttooll
New Blue Press Section 2 7/14/08 8:57 AM Page 41
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