All modifications of the Parabellum Luger pistol. His Majesty the legendary Parabellum or simply the P08 pistol. "Lugers" in foreign military service

Front-line officers, veterans of the NKVD, intelligence and SMERSH are familiar with this pistol. Created at the beginning of the twentieth century, designed extremely successfully, went through two world wars and claimed many lives. Parabellum is still used today. For the uninitiated, he is a mystery.

The unusual design of the pistol and the stories of those who shot it give rise to legends and speculation about the power of this weapon. Its sinister design has an attractive power. Communication with him can change a person's character. Parabellum is unique. In the entire history of the development of automatic weapons, no one has invented a pistol with a more original, efficient and ergonomic design. This weapon system has been arousing the professional interest of military combatants, sports shooters, gunsmiths and, of course, intelligence officers for almost a hundred years.

It so happened that this pistol was designed in succession by two German engineers. In 1893, inventor Hugo Borchardt patented an automatic pistol with an unusual barrel locking system based on the principle of a dead center of moving parts - a bolt, connecting rod and bloodworm. The mechanical system was calculated mathematically, worked exceptionally reliably, had a very high accuracy of battle and impressive bullet penetration.

But, as gunsmiths know, only beautiful weapons shoot really well. Borchardt's pistol design was disgusting. There was no weight balance as such, and therefore the pistol, which had an ideal fight from the machine, did not hit at all when shooting “from the hand”. It was an "ugly duckling", just a working model of a successful engineering idea.

Seven years later, in 1900, theoretical concept Borchardt was embodied in a real weapon system by another German designer Georg Luger, who completely changed the layout of the weapon. The pistol grip acquired an optimal angle of inclination and was orthopedically adjusted to the average size of the shooter's palm. The designer placed a return spring in the tilted handle, which made it possible to significantly reduce the dimensions of the weapon and the mass of moving parts.

It was possible to lower the barrel along the axis as much as possible - and the throwing angle during the shot decreased. The center of gravity shifted forward - and the weapon acquired an impeccable weight balance. The pistol decreased in size, became light and convenient. All this was achieved while maintaining the reliability, accuracy and design power of the system. Georg Luger pursued the goal of creating a portable, ultra-precise and long-range fire weapon for athletes, foresters, hunters and travelers, suitable for survival in difficult conditions, capable of suppressing the enemy at the maximum distance of pistol combat.

But that was not all. The pistol was created for commercial purposes - in order to be bought. It was clearly the work of an unknown, but talented designer in his own way. The appearance of this weapon attuned the psyche to the medieval Teutonic cruelty characteristic of German aristocrats. The pistol transmitted to its owner an incomprehensible destructive psychoenergy - it instilled a feeling of offensive aggressiveness in the one who held it in his hands. It received the appropriate commercial name - “Parabellum” (from the Latin saying: “Si vis pacem, para bellum” - “If you want peace, prepare for war”). The ugly duckling turned into a kite.

In the civilian commercial version, the Parabellum was produced (and is still produced) with a caliber of 7.65 mm. At one time, it differed favorably in weight, linear and ballistic characteristics from other automatic weapons.

The Kaiser's military, in German, was practical about the original design. They suggested that the inventor increase the caliber of the system to 9 mm and recommended that the pistol be adopted by the Bundeswehr. A 9 mm cartridge with a “cut cone” type bullet (with a flat front platform, crushing the tissue of a living target upon impact and causing shock) was specially developed for the pistol. With the increase in the caliber of the Parabellum, its striking qualities increased so much that they still make an impression in our time.

In 1908, this weapon system was adopted by the German army under the code name “Pistol 08m (die Pistole 08). The combat qualities of the new weapon were fully demonstrated in the maneuverable guerrilla and semi-partisan large-scale conflicts that swept across the globe after the First World War. At that time best weapons there was no such class.

"Parabellum" began to be produced in China, Mexico, Iran, Turkey, Spain. It was in service in Switzerland, Holland, Bulgaria and other countries under the name "Borchardt-Luger".

Pistol automation is based on a short barrel back stroke. The moving system of the weapon consists of a barrel with a receiver, inside which parts of the locking mechanism and the impact mechanism are mounted. The barrel with the front sight on the muzzle is connected to the receiver using a threaded connection. The receiver has the shape of a fork. A bolt with an impact mechanism and an ejector is placed and moved inside the fork.

The shutter is articulated with the connecting rod, and the latter with a bloodworm. The bloodworm has a massive tooth that interacts with the beveled surface of the gun frame when braking the moving system after a rollback. The entire hinge-lever connection of the device is a crank mechanism, in which the slider is the bolt. Assembled with their parts, the trunk and receiver can move in the grooves in the longitudinal direction.

The crank at the junction with the connecting rod has two rollers with a notched surface, made with it as one whole, which give the weapon unusual view. Two deep cutouts on these frames allow the bloodworm to rest on the receiver so that the axis of the middle hinge becomes lower than the axes of the front and rear hinges.

In the forward position, the bolt is locked, since the connecting rod and the crank form an obtuse angle with each other, with the apex facing down. When fired, the pressure of the powder gases is transmitted through the sleeve to the bolt. The receiver prevents the obtuse angle between the hinge and the crank from increasing, and under the influence of the recoil force, the entire system described above, when locked, moves back by about 6 mm.

Unlocking starts after the bullet leaves the barrel when the rollers of the bloodworm "run over" on the profile surfaces of the frame. The bloodworm begins to turn the rollers upwards, the articulated lever joint quickly passes through the dead position, after which the bloodworm receives a sharp increment angular velocity, due to the curvilinearity of profiled surfaces. The connecting rod and bloodworm are folded, the shutter opens. When the bolt is opened, the connecting rod cocks the drummer with a cocking tooth.

The crank is connected by means of a transmission lever with a return spring located in the handle, which returns the mobile system to its original position after the recoil energy stops. When moving forward, the bolt picks up a cartridge from the magazine and sends it to the barrel. When the trigger is pressed, the gear lever mounted in the trigger cover acts on the uncoupler of the trigger lever mounted on the receiver.

The trigger lever rotates on the axis, releases the drummer, breaking the primer. There is a shot, and the reloading process begins again. When the barrel moves with the receiver back relative to the frame, the uncoupler "runs" on side surface transmission lever and is installed inside the housing. In this position, shooting is still impossible - you need to release the trigger.

In this case, the transfer lever moves to the side and releases the uncoupler, which, under the action of a spring, enters from the trigger lever housing and becomes under the transfer lever. If you now press the trigger, the shot will repeat. The trigger mechanism allows only single fire. Fuse in the "Gesichert" position - the flag is lowered, the fuse bar blocks the trigger lever. Locking the cocked drummer is very reliable.

To load the "Parabellum" you need to press the magazine latch, then remove the magazine, equip it with cartridges. The equipped store is inserted into the handle. The bloodworm grabs the rollers, moves up and down as far as it will go and is released. The weapon is ready to fire. An indicator of the presence of a cartridge in the chamber is the raised position of the ejector. This opens the inscription "Geladen" - charged.

When the last cartridge is used up, the shutter is locked by the shutter delay and the movable system stops in the movable position. In order to close the shutter, it is necessary to remove or slightly release the magazine and slightly feed the bloodworm back. If there are cartridges in the magazine and an open movable system, the bloodworm is also fed back by the rollers - while the shutter leaves the shutter delay.

Parabellum works very reliably. The supply of a cartridge from the magazine to the chamber eliminates distortions and sticking of cartridges - in the cramped space of the fork of the steel box, the cartridge simply has nowhere to “get out”. The gun is not afraid of sand and dust - they are "blowed" up after a shot from a small opening window of the receiver following the spent cartridge case by the residual pressure of powder gases. Resource "Parabellum" is 25 thousand shots.

It is interesting that the older and more “splattered” the mechanism, the softer its recoil and, accordingly, it “throws” less when fired. Due to the inevitable backlash between the parts of the moving system, the recoil momentum sequentially acts on each of them and is not felt so sharply. With a well-maintained and well-groomed bore, the wear of the mechanism has practically no effect on the accuracy of the battle.

Care, conservation, cleaning and lubrication of "Parabellum" are carried out in the usual manner. It should be noted that German weapons steel, unlike Russian, is very "likes to rust." Therefore, you have to clean it more carefully. The Parabellum barrel bore is not chrome plated. The Germans, like us, in those days did not yet know how to chrome-plate barrels. The design of the Parabellum is thought out to the smallest detail and calculated with true German precision. In essence, this is a compact firearm, where the operation of parts and mechanisms is based on the strictest engineering calculations. Each part, its mechanical and weight balance in the process of interaction with other parts and mechanisms, the resistance of the metal, are carefully calculated.

From a mechanical point of view, the system is ideal - it uses the maximum energy of the powder charge to eject a bullet and minimally to reload the weapon. This is achieved thanks to the relatively small mass of the shutter and the specificity of its interaction with other moving parts. A weapon system designed only in this way could accelerate a relatively heavy (7.9 gram) bullet to a speed of 330 m/sec in a short 85 mm barrel. The barrel itself is drilled to a light taper and machined very cleanly.

The accuracy of the Parabellum's combat is absolute and has not yet been surpassed by combat automatic pistols - the spread of bullets at a distance of 25 meters fits into the diameter of a five-kopeck coin.

The main model is a short-barreled Parabellum holster that confidently “reaches” a target in the head at a distance of up to 100 meters.

Pistols were also produced with a barrel length of 200 mm and an aiming rib, like a rifle, notched at a distance of 300 meters, with an initial speed of a regular bullet of 390 m/sec. With an attached butt-holster, such a pistol was actually a light automatic carbine. There was also training option"Parabelluma" caliber 5.6 mm and a special model with a silencer for silent shooting.

Pistols produced before the war at various factories in Germany were of very high quality, with a large margin of safety with the highest manufacturing accuracy, and impeccable cleanliness of the working surfaces of parts. "Parabellums", let in in other countries from much worse materials, made not so carefully, also fired quite decently - the quality of the shooting was determined by the engineering calculation incorporated in the design.

Cartridges 9 × 19 used for shooting from the "Parabellum"(they are called “08 Parabellum”), in terms of performance characteristics and design features, they turned out to be perhaps the most practical for pistol automation. The cartridge case of such ammunition tapers slightly from the middle of the body to the muzzle (by 0.3 mm), which provides easier extraction after firing.

With the advent of submachine guns designed for this cartridge, the production of ammunition with a “sheared cone” bullet ceased, and Germany switched to the production of “08 Parabellum” cartridges with an ogival (egg-shaped) bullet, most suitable for the automatic submachine gun. These cartridges proved so successful that they have been used to fire the vast majority of pistol and submachine gun systems ever since. Before the war, the Germans produced a variant of such ammunition with a powder charge increased by 20% - the so-called "carbine cartridge 08". In the long-barreled Parabellums, the bullet of such a cartridge accelerated to a speed of 470-500 m / s.

Features of the mechanism provide the pistol with a high rate of fire and an increased effect of the bullet on the target at long distances for pistol fire. It was designed for trained and trained shooters, but even for a beginner, it is easy to shoot and easy to hit. Thanks to the orthopedic handle, the Parabellum fits in the hand like a glove. The barrel is located low - almost at the level of the shooting hand. The locking system opens up, and therefore the weapon "knocks" slightly when fired. From the Parabellum you can fire quickly.

Some inconvenience of loading is compensated by the amazing accuracy of shooting - at a line-of-sight distance in the forest where he aimed, he hit there. Moreover, he hit immediately, with the first shot. This pistol is very good for shooting back, keeping the enemy at a respectful distance. The inclined handle allows you to effectively shoot offhand from the stomach, without aiming, at the silhouette, by ear in the dark. This weapon is ideal when shooting at running targets.

The mechanical strength of the pistol allows it to be used as a brass knuckle during hand-to-hand contact. Therefore, "Parabellum" was indispensable for front-line intelligence officers, saboteurs, performers of special missions, mercenaries and terrorists.

Essentially, the Parabellum was the weapon of an aristocratic hunter, but it could only be used to hunt people. His appearance, and the physical sensations he evoked, aroused feelings of confident superiority and brutal intransigence, in accordance with the fascist theory of the superman. These qualities of the weapon amused both the sports passion of the German rangers in the fight against poorly armed partisans, and the bloodthirstiness of the SS officials, who had fun shooting at the civilian population.

This pistol didn’t really show itself at the front.. Its accuracy and range turned out to be unclaimed against the background of the work of other automatic weapons that solve tactical problems with an increased density of fire. However, our officers did not miss the opportunity to remove the "Parabellum" from the killed German - as a personal holster weapon, it was incomparably better than the service "TT".

The operatives, ours and the Germans, did not like Parabellum. It was not suitable for carrying in a pocket, there was no self-cocking, which was so necessary for a sudden oncoming collision, it was impossible to do with one hand to bring the weapon into the “combat” position. The fuse turned on inconveniently and did not lock the moving parts - when the fuse was on, the shutter opened.

In case of severe pollution, in frost, with a defective cartridge, thickening of the lubricant, the bloodworm did not lock the bolt completely - the uncoupler reached the gear lever, and in this position the locking system stopped, because the force of the return spring was not enough. At long distances, this did not play a role - to send a cartridge, it was enough to slam the bloodworm with a hand from above, but at close distances of a detective battle "point blank" any delay could be the last.

Parabellum was difficult to produce. Its manufacturing technology required a lot of milling operations. Even the store was milled. Therefore, since 1938, the Germans have given preference to the Walter R-38, which is not as accurate and ergonomic, but more practical and adapted to conducting sudden fire at close range, although the Parabellum continued to be produced until last days war. I saw such an ersatz pistol produced in 1945 with plastic grips and a magazine stamped from roofing iron.

After the Second World War, the production of combat pistols "Parabellum" was discontinued.. It was not modernized - no one managed to create a more advanced automation system. Attempts by other designers to design weapons that work on the same principle were unsuccessful. The concept of the relationship between the design of the Parabellum and the layout of its movement remained unsolved. The phenomenon of the impact of the external design of this pistol on the psyche of the shooter has not yet been studied.

In many countries, the combat version of the Parabellum has been declared a weapon of targeted destruction and banned from use. Despite the fact that over the past 50 years a huge number of these pistols have been sent for melting down, the Parabellum has survived to this day. Interest in it does not disappear: “Parabellum” is an object of desire for weapons collectors and a hot commodity in military antiques stores. There are such weapons in museums and... in the arsenals of special forces - for particularly precise work.

Luger pistol (Luger, Parabellum; German P08, Parabellum, Borchardt-Luger) is a 9 mm pistol developed in 1900 by the Austrian Georg Luger based on the design of Hugo Borchardt's pistol.

Luger R.08 Parabellum - video

The introduction of smokeless powders kicked off the rapid development of automatic weapons, including self-loading pistols. In 1893, the Berlin Ludwig Lewe plant began producing the Hugo Borchard self-loading pistol. Although various "automatic" pistol systems had been proposed before, Borchardt was the first to achieve commercial success, which encouraged continued work. In 1898, Georg Johann Luger, who served at the DWM plant (Deutsche Waffen und Munitionfabriken, successor to the Lewe company), significantly improved the Borchard system. The pistol has become more compact and lighter, and ergonomics have improved. Luger also modified the 7.65 mm Borchard cartridge with a bottle sleeve, a central location of the primer and a jacketed bullet.

In 1900, the pistol was adopted by the Swiss army. Only after this did DWM begin releasing the 7.65 mm Luger-Borchardt pistol (or simply “Luger”) onto the market. The pistol became better known as the “Parabellum”. The combination "Parabellum" - the second part of the famous Latin phrase "Si vis pacem, parabellum" ("Who wants peace, prepare for war") - was a DWM telegraph code, perceived as trademark and in this capacity became the designation of the newly introduced pistol. In 1902, Luger, based on the 7.65 mm, created a 9 mm cartridge for a military pistol. It is believed that the requirement to increase the caliber of a military pistol was put forward based on the experience of close combat during the suppression of the Yihetuan uprising ("Boxer Rebellion") in China in 1900, which revealed the insufficient stopping effect of the 7.65 mm cartridge bullet. When the caliber was increased to 9 mm, the base cartridge case was transformed from a bottle case into a cylindrical case by expanding the barrel. The 9-mm bullet initially had a cylindrical-conical shape with a flat platform on top, but since 1915 the cartridge was equipped with a cylindrical-ogive bullet, and this option became the main one.

During the modernizations of 1902–1906. A number of changes were made to the system of the pistol itself. This is how the so-called “Luger new” system was formed. In 1904, the German Navy adopted a 9 mm pistol model with a rear sight and a barrel length of 150 mm. In August 1908, the Reichswehr adopted a 9 mm model with a fixed sight and a 102 mm barrel under the designation P.08. Since DWM could not provide large supplies while maintaining proper quality, the arsenal in Erfurt was involved in fulfilling the order. There was also a “naval” model of 1908 with the same elongated barrel and reversible rear sight.

The automatic pistol operated according to a short-stroke recoil pattern. Locking the barrel bore with the bolt was ensured by a system of two hinged levers located in the “ dead center" When the barrel and the bolt moved back, the rollers of the lever hinge ran onto the frame's ridges, the levers folded, unlocking the barrel bore and moving the bolt away from the barrel. At the same time, the return spring, located in the handle and connected by a crank lever to the rear locking lever, was compressed. The ejector located on top also served as an indicator of the presence of a cartridge in the chamber.

The striker-type trigger mechanism provided a shot only with preliminary cocking of the striker. Part of the details trigger mechanism installed on the left side of the frame, in combination with the “buttons” of the hinge, this increased the transverse size of the pistol. The safety lever in the lower position blocked the trigger lever and the movable automation system. A number of models, including “commercial” versions of the P.08, were equipped with an automatic safety device in the form of a button behind the handle - this safety switch was automatically turned off when the handle was fully covered with the palm.

A single-row magazine was inserted into the handle. When the cartridges were used up, the magazine feeder actuated the slide delay (introduced in 1913). Comfortable inclination and dimensions of the handle, good balance contribute to the accuracy of shooting. Together with the power of the cartridge, the convenient location of the magazine latch, this determined the success of the pistol. The Parabellum system turned out to be very sensitive, required complex machining and high precision manufacturing of parts, included many small parts, and yet remained popular for many years and in many countries due to the quality of workmanship. Parabellum pistols of various models and calibers in different time were in service in three dozen countries, including Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Brazil, Holland, Greece, Denmark, Israel, Iran, China, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Turkey, Finland, France, Chad, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia. Pistols were also assembled in Switzerland, Great Britain, and Belgium. In Russia, Borchard-Luger pistols were not accepted for service, but back in 1907, the 9-mm Parabellum was recommended for officers to purchase at their own expense.

The finest hour of “Parabellum” can be called the First World War. By August 1914, the German armed forces had 250,000 R.08. In total, from the beginning of production to 1918, about 1,572,000 R.08 pistols were produced. The Reichswehr was also supplied with the LP.08 model with a barrel length of 200 mm, a sector sight up to 800 m (the capabilities of the weapon were significantly overestimated), and an attached holster-butt. This model was adopted in 1913 for the calculations of field artillery and fortress troops and is often referred to as “artillery”. In 1917, the LP.08 was equipped with a 32-round drum magazine.

In addition to the standard version P.08, in the early 1930s. Mauser-Werke A.G. started production of a special version with an expansion type muffler. Special services such as the SD, Gestapo and military intelligence- Abwehr.

Having ceased production in 1920, DWM resumed it in 1923 under the name Berlin Karlsruhe Industrie Werke. In accordance with the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, only the 7.65 mm model with a barrel length of up to 100 mm was produced. Since 1930, the production of pistols, along with the rights, passed to Mauser Werke AG. For the Reichswehr and police, the R.08 was produced in reduced quantities and only by Zimson und Co. But in 1934, mass production of R.08 was resumed in Nazi Germany. It was continued by the Mauser and Heinrich Krieghof companies until 1942. A total of 2,810,000 R.08 pistols were produced since their adoption, not counting other models.

Luger P.08 Parabellum pistol with an under-barrel flashlight. Such pistols were in service with the Imperial Security Service (RSD).

Models and their differences

M.1900

The 1900 model was the most early version Luger pistol. It was adopted by the Swiss army in 1900. This model inherited one feature inherent in Borchard pistols - a small bracket on the right side of the bolt hinge. Its task was to prevent the shutter from rebounding after it was closed. In reality it was unnecessary because when the bolt hinge is closed it is slightly below the line along which the recoil force acts, and therefore any action aimed at opening the bolt only pressed the hinge further against the receiver. Important elements of the M.1900 were a safety lever blocking the receiver, which was on the left in the rear of the frame, and a spring ejector, which was located on a flat top surface shutter The M.1900 was chambered for the 7.65×21 mm cartridge. Barrel length 122 mm.

M.1902

M.1902 is further development variant M.1900. This model was created for the 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridge, as a result of which the barrel had to be made somewhat thicker and shorter than that of the previous model. Barrel length 102 mm. The bolt and magazine were also slightly modified. The number of rifling in the barrel was increased from four to six, and the dimensions of the frame and receiver became the same. IN final version in the M.1902, the frame, receiver and threaded barrel bushing were shortened by approximately 2 mm.

M.1904

The M.1904 variant became the first mass-produced version of the Luger pistol. The first purchase of this weapon occurred after the German Navy adopted the “9-mm Selbstladepistole 1904” with a barrel length of 147.32 mm, later known as the “naval model”. Certain innovations were introduced into the M.1904 variant, which then became standard for all Luger pistols. The conventional spring ejector has been replaced by a new type of ejector with a vertical tooth. The ejector is combined with an indicator of the presence of a cartridge in the chamber. The cartridge in the chamber raises the ejector upward. This model has a reversible sight at a distance of 100 and 200 m. At the bottom of the back of the handle there is a groove for attaching a holster-butt. Caliber 9 mm, length 262 mm, barrel length 147 mm, weight 915 g, muzzle velocity 350 m/s. From 1905 to 1918, DWM manufactured 81,250 Model 1904 pistols for naval forces Germany.

M.1906

For the first time, major changes were made to the M.1906 variant. The leaf return spring in the handle was replaced with a twisted, cylindrical one. The fuse design has also been changed; he himself was moved down and began to lock the sear. The top of the bolt was now semicircular, the hinge grips were made with a flat, diamond-shaped surface, and the anti-bounce bracket was removed. The M.1906 (or, as it came to be called, the “New Model Parabellum”) was manufactured in two versions - chambered for the 7.65 mm cartridge with a barrel length of 122 mm and for the 9 mm cartridge with a thicker barrel length of 102 mm.

M.1908

The Luger pistol of the 1908 model differs from the M.1906 in that the automatic safety was removed and only the flag safety remained. The M.1908 was most often called simply "Pistol 08", or P08. Like the 1906 model pistol, it has a cylindrical coiled return spring and an extractor, which is combined with an indicator of the presence of a cartridge in the chamber. With all the changes, the new “marine model” of 1904 was produced with the same name. In total, until 1918, the DWM weapons company produced 908,275 P08 for arming the army and 1,500 pistols for civilian purposes. In Erfurt, from 1911 to 1918, 663,600 units were produced.

9mm pistol "Parabellum" P.08 Lange

Artillery model

The so-called “Artillery Model” - a version of the 9 mm Luger pistol, called Lange P08 (LP 08), was adopted on June 3, 1913 by units of Prussia, Saxony and Württemberg. This pistol-carbine is designed for shooting up to 800 m with an attached wooden holster-butt. The pistol is intended to arm crews of field artillery guns and non-commissioned officers of machine gun teams.

LP 08 with "drum" and butt

Advantages

A fairly advanced design of a military pistol at the time of its creation.
- Generally reliable operation under difficult operating conditions.
- Comfortable handle shape.
- Excellent control when shooting.
- Very little toss and recoil when fired.
- Exceptional accuracy and accuracy of shooting, both aimed and offhand.
- Robust and reliable design.
- High rate of fire.

Flaws

Lots of complex parts. Even the trigger has an intricate crescent shape. Its second end is a limiter, which should have another place. When descending from above, the other end of the crescent lowers, preventing you from shooting with gloves on.
- The design does not allow the locking levers to be closed to protect them from dirt or sand getting into the mechanism, which can cause a delay if a lot of dirt gets into the mechanism.
- Delays when using cartridges with non-ogive bullets.
- You cannot use cartridges with an increased charge of gunpowder for shooting to avoid damaging the weapon.
- When shooting from the stomach, cartridges often fly into the shooter’s face.

Like other weapons of the early 20th century, the Luger was not highly technologically advanced. Mauser-Werke A. G. spent 12.5 man-hours on the production of one Luger during the period of greatest production intensity; its production was quite labor-intensive. With the mass of the pistol itself being 0.87 kg, 6.1 kg of metal was required to produce it. During manufacturing, 778 separate operations were performed: 642 operations on machine equipment and 136 manually.

In 1939, the production cost of one Luger pistol by Mauser-Werke A.G. was 11.5 Reichsmarks, and the magazine for it was 3.15 Reichsmarks. The cost of a complete Luger pistol with two magazines was 17.8 Reichsmarks; the Mauser sold to the Wehrmacht more expensively - for 32 Reichsmarks, while the Mauser 98k rifle cost 70 Reichsmarks, and the MG-34 machine gun (itself expensive and replaced for this reason on MG-42) cost the Wehrmacht 300 Reichsmarks.

Performance characteristics of Parabellum

Designer: Georg Luger
- Designed: 1898
- Manufacturer: DWM
- Years of production: 1900-1942
- Total issued: 2,818,000 (P08); 282,000 (mod.1900)

Wes Parabellum

Parabellum dimensions

Length, mm: 217
- Barrel length, mm: 102
- Width, mm: 40
- Height, mm: 135

Parabellum cartridge

9×19 mm Parabellum

Caliber Parabellum

At the end of the summer of 1907, the German army conducted tests to replace standard revolvers in service with field artillery crews with modernized Gewehr 91 carbines. The results of army tests showed that the carbine is not always convenient and sometimes interferes with soldiers when conducting artillery fire. A regular Parabellum pistol, even when using an attached stock, could not replace a carbine, since it was intended exclusively for close combat.

Over the next few years, the design of the Parabellum pistol was optimized so that the weapon could combine compactness and long-range shooting capabilities. Together with Georg Luger, a major of the Bavarian army took part in the development of a new pistol model Adolf Fischer. It was Fischer who presented the first prototype on November 30, 1912 Artillery pistol Luger for evaluation by the state selection committee.

One of the tasks facing the engineers was to obtain a weapon with the required ballistic characteristics without changing the fundamental design of the Parabellum pistol, using standard parts. First of all, in order to increase the firing range, it was decided to use a long 200 mm barrel instead of a standard barrel.

To allow shooting at long distances, the weapon was equipped with an adjustable rear sight, which was installed in the upper part of the barrel. The rear sight division scale allowed targeted shooting from a pistol at distances: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 meters. The button for moving the sight slider is located on the left side of the rear sight. Prototypes and early pistols have Parabellum Artillery (Trial prototype and Early Luger Artillery) a special adjustment screw was installed on the rear sight, which made it possible to further more accurately adjust the rear sight.

When adjusting the screw in the vertical plane, the rear part of the rear sight with a slot for aiming moved into the dovetail groove. In order to increase the rear sight adjustment range, a special groove was made in the front part of the bolt box of Luger Artillery pistols.

Prototypes and early Artillery Luger pistols also had a front sight with an adjustable microscrew. The screw made it possible to move the front sight in the groove of the base and more accurately adjust the sight of the weapon. In later production weapons, in order to simplify manufacturing and reduce cost, the front sight was installed as usual, without an adjusting screw.

In the process of testing and modernizing the Parabellum Artillery pistol, changes were also made to the design of the rear sight. There are four main varieties of it. The first version of the rear sight has an adjustable microscrew installed on top of its aiming slot. The second option has both a microscrew and a locking screw installed in the front of the rear sight on the right. The third version of the rear sight has neither a microscrew nor a screw in the front part. The fourth option corresponds to most late production pistols. It does not have a micro-adjustment screw, but does have a screw on the front right side of the rear sight.

The Artillery Luger pistol uses 9 mm Parabellum caliber cartridges as ammunition. The total length of the pistol without stock is 327 mm, barrel length is 200 mm, weapon weight is 1100 grams. The pistol was equipped with an attached butt, which was installed in special grooves made in the back of the handle, just like in a pistol.

By the summer of 1913, work on a new model of the Parabellum pistol was completely completed. The weapon essentially differed from the standard Luger models, only with a long barrel and a sector sight mounted on it. If we compare the drawings of the Parabellum P-08 pistol and the drawings of the Luger Artillery pistol, it becomes clear that there are not many differences between these pistol models, which of course made their production easier.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the German Empire was a federal state uniting 22 monarchies, 3 free cities and the land of Alsace-Lorraine. Its ground forces, unlike its navy, were subordinate to local rather than federal authorities. Many decisions, including those on the adoption of this or that type of small arms, were approved by the monarchs of individual German lands. The Parabellum Artillery pistol was adopted by the Prussian army on July 3, 1913, after the signing of the corresponding document by Emperor Wilhelm II. The Bavarian army adopted the pistol for service on July 27, 1913, by the decision of Prince Ludwig (the future King Ludwig III).

The weapon received an official designation "Lange Pistole 08" (Long Luger, Long Luger Pistol) or “Lg. Pist. 08", "LP. 08". Term Luger Artillery was never official and was not used in documents. It was subsequently introduced by dealers and eventually became a staple among collectors. Many weapons researchers consider it incorrect, since the Luger Lange Pistole 08 was adopted not by all artillery, but only by its separate branch - field artillery. In addition, the pistol was used to arm military pilots, medical unit personnel, machine gun crews, etc. Moreover, the widest use of this weapon was in infantry assault units, so the Long Luger would be more correctly called Luger Sturmpistole (Luger assault pistol, Luger assault pistol).

At dawn military aviation its main armament was a supply of bombs and conventional small arms, most often self-loading pistols. On April 23, 1912, in his report, the Chief of the German General Staff noted that arming aircraft with conventional Parabellum P.08 pistols was not effective. Since that time, testing of Parabellum pistols with an extended barrel began. The Luger Lange Pistole 08 turned out to be quite convenient for use in air combat. A long barrel, improved sights and the presence of an attached butt made it possible to conduct aimed fire over a longer distance. At the same time, the pilot could fire using only one hand.

The only problem for the aviators was the low ammunition capacity of their weapons and the need to change magazines. To eliminate this problem, development of a larger capacity magazine began.

Initially, work on the disk magazine was carried out to equip it with self-loading rifle Mondragon M1908, which was also used to arm German military aircraft. Based on these first rifle disc magazines, a disc magazine for the Luger Artillery pistol was later created.

A “snail” type disc or drum magazine for a pistol, which is called "Trommelmagazin 08" or "T.M.08" was developed by a Hungarian engineer Friedrich Blum. Friedrich Blum's German patents for the drum magazine for the Luger pistol DRP 305 564 and DRP 305 074 dated July 8, 1916 describe not only its design, but also the method of loading the magazine with cartridges. Several companies were involved in the production of disk magazines: Gebrüder Bing A.G. (Nuremberg), Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft (Berlin), Vereinigten Automaten-Fabriken Pelzer & Cie (Cologne). The appearance and marking features of different manufacturers were slightly different.

The disk magazine held 32 rounds. A spiral spring placed inside the magazine was cocked with a special key, which, after compressing the spring, was fixed in a socket on the cover of the magazine drum. The first 12-15 rounds could be loaded into the magazine without the use of special tools. For further equipment, a special charging device (Magazine Loaders) with a lever was used.

A canvas or leather case was used to carry the disk magazine. The use of cases became relevant especially after it was decided to use disk magazines and Luger Artillery pistols to arm assault units of the German infantry. Luger assault pistols were designated P.17 by the military. Compact, multi-shot Luger Artillery pistols (P.17) turned out to be very convenient and effective in assault combat conditions in enemy trenches.

Subsequently, these weapons were replaced by submachine guns and the early Bergmann submachine gun (Bergmann MP18) used disc magazines from Parabellum pistols. During the First World War, German army units were equipped with disc magazines and special loading devices at the rate of one set of equipment for five disc magazines.

Collectors distinguish several main types of Luger Lange Pistole 08 pistols. They differ from each other in the place of manufacture (Erfurt, DWM or Mauser), purpose (military or commercial) and of course the marking features.

Luger Artillery Erfurt 1914 Military contract pistols manufactured at the Royal Shooting Factory in Erfurt. These are one of the first Luger Lange Pistole 08 pistols ordered by the military.

The top of the chamber of these pistols is marked "1914". On the upper surface of the front shutter lever there is a mark of the manufacturer in the form of the inscription “ERFURT” under the crown.

Researchers indicate that serial numbers of Artillery Luger Erfurt pistols can consist of 1-5 numbers with a letter.

The production of Artillery Luger pistols for the German army from the very beginning of the First World War was also carried out by the company Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken Aktien-Gesellschaft (DWM).

Luger Artillery DWM 1914-1918 pistols (Luger Artillery DWM 1914 Military contract) have the company’s branding in the form of intertwined letters DWM on the upper part of the front shutter lever. On the top of the chamber there is a marking indicating the year of manufacture of the weapon.

Serial numbers of DWM 1914 Artillery Luger pistols, according to reference data, can also have from 1 to 5 numbers with a letter. Researchers indicate that during the First World War, about 5,000 Luger Artillery pistols were manufactured in 1914 (serial numbers in the range 262 - 1995a), in 1915, approximately 15,000 pistols (serial numbers 294 - 7283a), in 1916, slightly more than 20,000 pistols (numbers 203 - 2660b), in 1917 about 90,000 Artillery Lugers (numbers 248 - 4884w), in 1918 no more than 25,000 pistols (105 - 997e).

Quite rare, but you can still see pistols at gun auctions Long Luger Lange Pistole 08 Red Nine, on the surface of the cheeks, the handles of which are cut out and filled with red or black paint, the numbers “9”.

The reason for this marking is again connected with the history of the Mauser K-96 pistols. The bulk of the Mauser K-96 pistols were chambered for the 7.63 mm caliber, but the Mauser pistols of the Prussian contract of 1916 were chambered for the 9 mm Parabellum caliber cartridge. To avoid confusion with ammunition, the number “9” was usually painted on the cheeks of the handle of these weapons in red, and the pistols were named . By analogy, in some cases nine was applied to the cheeks of the handle of Parabellum pistols.

Pistol Luger Artillery with double marking 1920/1917 (DWM Double Date 1920/1917 Dated Weimar Artillery Luger) a rather rare variety that appeared during the Weimar Republic, which arose on the site of the former German Empire in 1919. At this time, immediately after the end of the First World War, according to the Treaty of Versailles, the German army was reduced to 100 thousand people. Military pistols German army were destroyed, altered or re-registered. Artillery Luger pistols with double markings are just an example of a rare weapon that, after re-registration, remained in the armed forces of the Weimar Republic.

In 1920, the DWM company began to produce for export Luger Artillery pistols, model 1920 commercial, reworked (Luger 1920 Commercial Artillery Rework).

These pistols were made in the 20s-30s of the 20th century. This weapon did not have military acceptance marks or markings on the surface of the chamber. They have the DWM branding stamp on the top of the front shutter lever. The weapon had commercial markings.

Researchers claim that in addition to the Luger 1920 Commercial Artillery Rework pistols in 9 mm caliber, DWM manufactured Luger Artillery 1920 commercial pistols chambered for 7.65 mm caliber cartridges.

In addition to the Royal Rifle Factory in Erfurt and the Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken Aktien-Gesellschaft (DWM) company, the Mauser company also began manufacturing Artillery Luger Pistol pistols after 1930. One of the famous importers of Parabellum pistols to the United States was the Austrian immigrant Alexander F. Stoeger, whose gun shop was located in New York. He called himself the only authorized importer in the United States and Canada of genuine Mauser, Luger weapons and ammunition.

Several hundred pistols Artillery Luger Mauser-Stoeger (Luger Artillery Mauser A.F. Stoeger contract) were manufactured between 1930 and 1934 and sent to the USA. Early pistols had the DWM mark on the top of the front bolt lever. The surface of the chamber of these pistols was marked with the emblem of the United States - the American eagle. Inscriptions on the safety and ejector for Luger Artillery Mauser A.F. pistols. Stoeger contracts are written in English: “SAFE” and “LOADED”. On the right side of the bolt box there is a marking text “GERMANY”, “A.F.STOEGER INC / NEW YORK.”, on the right side of the frame: “GENUINE LUGER - REGISTERED U.S. PATENT OFFICE."

In 1934, the Shah of Persia (Iran) ordered 4,000 Parabellum pistols from the Mauser factory. About 1,000 of them were pistols of the Luger Lange Pistole 08 model with serial numbers 3001 - 4000. The weapons were intended to arm the Shah's personal guard.

These pistols have a very recognizable appearance due to the fact that all the inscriptions on them, including the numbers on the rear sight scale, are made in Farsi (Persian). The coat of arms of Persia is depicted at the top of the pistol's chamber. The literature indicates that the weapons were sent to Persia in three shipments between December 1935 and June 1936.

Most pistols Mauser Artillery Luger,Persian order (Mauser Persian Luger Artillery) in the 70s of the 20th century they entered the European commercial market and for this reason these pistols are sometimes found at arms auctions.

After completing an order for Persia, the Mauser company produced about 100 Luger Artillery pistols for the police of Bangkok, the capital of Siam (Thailand). The serial numbers of these weapons range from 3453 to 3552. These pistols are called Mauser Artillery Luger, Siamese order (Mauser Siamese Luger Artillery). A distinctive feature of Siamese order pistols is the presence of Siamese markings on the rear surface of the frame.

On the surface of the front bolt lever of the Siamese Artillery Parabellums there is a manufacturer's brand mark in the form of a “barrel” with the text “MAUSER”. The year of manufacture of the weapon is marked on the surface of the chamber.

After the end of World War II, various models of Parabellum pistols were manufactured at the Mauser plant during the French occupation, including the Luger Lange Pistole 08.

The upper part of the front bolt lever of these pistols bears the manufacturer's brand with the text "MAUSER". There are no markings on the top of the chamber.

The use of the Luger Lange Pistole 08 in aviation, especially after the advent of the 32-round disc magazine, led to attempts to develop a pistol that would be able to switch from single fire to automatic. Several designers, including Georg Luger himself, tried to create a fully automatic weapon from the Parabellum pistol.

Probably one of the first are the developments of Manuel and Everardo Navarro from Zelaya (Mexico). On October 13, 1914, they registered US Patent No. 1113239. According to Navaro's design, the fire mode was switched by moving a leaf spring mounted on trigger lever pistol After moving, the spring could be fixed with a handle - a screw. In the forward position of the spring, the trigger mechanism worked in normal mode, i.e. the pistol fired single fire. In the rear position of the spring, the weapon fired in bursts. When firing automatically, in order to stop firing, it was necessary to release the automatic safety lever.

Stanislaw Gurtys from Poznan received German patent DRP 492 163 on October 16, 1926, which also provided for a firing mode switch mounted in the form of a lever on the trigger cover. The prototype or patent model of the Parabellum pistol based on the Gurtis design was made from the Luger Artillery pistol serial number 6474a.

A small number of experimental pistols Luger Artillery to Selective Fire more advanced designs were made during the First World War. The fire mode switch is installed on the trigger lever and is a spring-loaded button that moves the trigger lever bushing.

Pistols with a switch for firing modes (Luger Artillery to Selective Fire) remained experimental, since with automatic fire the rate of fire of the Parabellum pistol was very high, and the cranked bolt locking mechanism did not provide reliable retention of the weapon and, accordingly, accurate aiming.

Initially, it was planned to use an all-wooden butt holster as a buttstock for the Luger Lange Pistole 08 pistol. Undoubtedly, this was influenced by the design of the holster-butt of the pistol. Several prototypes of the Artillery Luger were issued with this holster-stock, made from solid walnut. The total length of the all-wooden butt-holster is 370 mm, maximum height 165 mm, thickness at the lid 52 mm. Unlike the Mauser one, the butt holster for the Luger covered the entire pistol grip.

On the left side of the butt holster there are two loops for attaching belts. The lid opening button is also located on the left side of the butt above these hinges. Inside the holster there is a compartment for placing a cleaning rod. On inner surface The cover has a clamp for attaching a combination screwdriver.

By November 1913, the decision was made to use a flat, plank-shaped wooden stock, similar in appearance to a stock, as the buttstock for the Luger Artillery. However, the stock for the Luger Artillery pistol is 28 mm longer than the stock of the Marine model. At the end of the butt there is a metal tip, which is inserted into the grooves of the pistol handle. The buttstock is secured in the weapon by turning the locking lever installed on the left side of the buttstock tip. The total length of the wooden flat stock for the Luger Artillery pistol is 343 mm, thickness 15 mm, maximum stock height 114 mm, butt tip thickness 23 mm, its height 41 mm. Unlike the Navy Luger stock, a marking disk was not installed on the surface of the Long Luger stock, but was marked in the form of the letter “G” under the crown (Erfurt mark) or “S” under the crown (DWM mark).

A leather holster is attached to the flat wooden buttstock using straps. The holster has a special compartment on the side for storing a cleaning rod. The holster flap is attached to a strap, which is attached with screws to the wooden part of the stock on the left side. There are two loops on the back of the holster for attaching belts. The Luger Artillery pistol is carried in a holster-butt on a shoulder strap. Leather cases for two spare magazines could be worn either on the belt or on the belt along with the holster.

Another difference between the Lange Pistole 08 pistol holster and the Luger Naval P04 butt holster was the appearance of a protective cover for the butt tip. The protective tip cover is attached to the stock using straps and a clasp.

The Parabellum Artillery pistol was actively used only during the First World War of 1914-1918. After the defeat of Germany and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, a significant part of these pistols were either destroyed or converted into short-barreled Parabellum P08 pistols. Luger Artillery pistols that have survived to this day are the pride of many private collections and museum exhibitions. Antique market appreciates Artillery models The parabellum is quite high. The price of only the more common ones ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 dollars. 1914 Luger Lange Pistoles range from $3,000 to $7,000. Of course, the rarest and most valuable are prototypes of Luger Artillery pistols and especially rare varieties of serial pistols, which are valued at between $10,000 and $50,000.

It has rightfully become a symbol of the German pistol of the first half of the twentieth century. "Parabellum" has a recognizable, original and unlike any other pistols look.

This pistol was developed at the beginning of the last century and received a rather original name - “prepare for war” (“Parabellum” in Latin). A special 9x19 Para cartridge was also developed for it, which has survived to this day, becoming the most popular pistol cartridge.

The prototype of the Parabellum was the K-93 pistol, developed by Hugo Borchardt. The K-93 used automatic equipment short stroke recoil of the barrel, through a system of levers, ejected the spent cartridge case upward, while simultaneously compressing the return spring, which then fed the cartridge into the chamber. Hugo Borchardt's design turned out to be successful, but it was labor-intensive, expensive and material-intensive. In addition, the pistol used an original bottle cartridge of 7.65 mm caliber with a cylindrical part diameter of 9 mm.

"K-93"

Production of the K-93 began in 1894. In the first three years, 3,000 pieces were produced, after which the management of the German company DWM, which produced pistols, decided to promote their pistol in the United States. But it was not possible to “push” the pistol; the K-93 was not accepted by the US military department.

It is from this moment that the creation of the legendary Parabellum begins. The talented engineer Georg Luger began promoting and selling the Borchardt pistol on the American market. Based on the K-93, Luger developed three similar models in which the recoil spring from the pistol body was placed in the grip. This made the design more compact and lighter. For additional convenience, the handle itself was bent at 120 degrees to the barrel. A new, shorter 7.65 mm Luger cartridge was also developed: due to the more powerful gunpowder, the cartridge did not lose its penetrating power, despite the fact that it was significantly shortened.

In 1898, Luger offered the Swiss army a third modification of his 7.65 mm pistol as a model for standard weapons. The tests of the proposed pistol were successful, and the government of the country purchased a large batch of pistols, thereby arming the entire officer corps of its army with automatic pistols.

In 1902, the German government announced a competition to rearm its army. Eight samples were presented to the strict German commission; testing lasted two years, during which time some of the presented samples managed to undergo modernization. Luger, for example, redesigned the cartridge, the cartridge case became cylindrical, and the barrel caliber was expanded to 9 mm.

At the same time, the pistol received the sonorous name “Parabellum”, and the new cartridge received the same name. In 1904, the naval commission chose a modernized model of the 9 mm Luger pistol. Officially it was called “9x19 mm Borchardt-Luger pistol, naval model 1904.” The barrel length of this Luger pistol model was 150 mm.

The pistol received its “classic form” in 1906. The barrel length is 100 mm, the automatic safety has been moved downwards, and the mechanisms have been slightly modified. This particular model of pistol is called “classic Luger” in America, and “Parabellum” in Europe.

In August 1908, the 9 mm Borchardt-Luger pistol called "R.08" was adopted as service sample short-barreled weapons in the German army.

Also, especially for the crews of field artillery guns and non-commissioned officers of machine gun teams, an extended “Parabellum” was created with a barrel length of 200 mm and a sector sight for shooting up to 800 m. The kit included a wooden holster-butt. Lange P.08 (“Long P.08”) was adopted by military units of Prussia, Saxony and Württemberg in 1913.

The pistol turned out to be really successful. All delays that occurred during firing were mainly due to the fault of low-quality ammunition. The successful choice of tilt of the handle ensured excellent combat accuracy. Shooting from the R.08 pistol is effective at approximately a distance of up to 125 m, but is most effective at a distance of up to 50 m.

"Parabellum" began its victorious march across countries and continents. Orders poured in like from a cornucopia - Russia, Brazil, Bulgaria... America again purchased a decent batch of pistols for military testing. Several weapons companies from different countries bought a license to produce a pistol. The production of “commercial samples” has increased.

The outbreak of the First World War required a huge number of pistols. The German tactic of "breaking the enemy's defenses" with the help of assault groups also required weapons for warfare in enemy trenches under conditions of high density of fire. Convenient, quickly reloading and lightweight, the “long Parabellums” with 32-round round magazines (Model P.17) were ideal. At the same time, “silent” versions of pistols with a silencer were developed. In the ten years between 1908 and 1918, approximately 1.8 million R.08 units were produced.

Defeat in the war meant the unequivocal death of the 9 mm Parabellum. According to the Treaty of Versailles, “the manufacture of short-barreled weapons with a caliber of more than 8 mm and a barrel length exceeding 100 mm was prohibited.” The production of short-barreled weapons was permitted only to one company, "Simson und Co", which had neither production experience nor the necessary equipment. The demand for pistols from this company was extremely low. Later, from parts stored in the arsenal of the city of Ertfurd, the production of a 7.65 mm Luger pistol was launched, and then, in the strictest secrecy, the production of a 9 mm model.

In 1922, the license for the production of Parabellum was transferred to the arms company Heinrich Krieghoff, where their production began in 1925. Since 1930, the arms company "Mauser-Werke A.G" joined the production. Weapons produced were marked with the year of manufacture rather than a number, which made it possible to hide the real number of pistols made.

With Hitler coming to power, all restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles were lifted. But another problem arose - the “low-tech” manufacturing of the legendary pistol. During production, many manual operations were performed; each specimen required 6 kg of metal (5 of which went into shavings). Also, in preparation for war, the German leadership was not satisfied with the significant high cost of these weapons.
With the cost of one set of pistols being 17.8 Reichmarks to the German government, each pistol purchased from Mauser cost 32 Reichmarks.

That is why, in 1938, a new standard officer’s pistol “Walter-R.38” of 9mm caliber chambered for the “Parabellum” cartridge was adopted. Production of the Parabellum was discontinued, but parts for repairing the pistol were produced until the end of the war.

After the end of World War II until the early 1960s, Mauser and Interarms produced Parabellum for the American market. But modern collectors consider these pistols to be replicas, although they are completely identical to the original Parabellums.

But the cartridge developed specifically for the Parabellum had a more successful fate: as mentioned above, it became the most popular pistol cartridge.

Luger, P.08 or Parabellum, whatever you call it, it can confidently be called the most important pistol in history. Yes, there were other pistols before Georg Johann Luger presented his wonderful creation, but none of them had such a serious impact. The Luger, more than any other pistol, legitimized the concept of a reliable handgun for service.

WWI Standard Imperial Parabellum Luger P.08 Pistol - Classic shapes of a classic pistol. It may be the most recognizable pistol silhouette in the world.

Produced in large quantities in various options The Luger was the first semi-automatic pistol to be taken seriously by the military and found its way into the hands of soldiers around the world. Over more than half a century of history, several companies have manufactured millions of pistols.

Was it the best pistol ever made? For a while, yes, but when the first Brownings came on the market, Luger quickly began to fade into the shadows, lagging behind technically. But despite its exotic design, it was still quite good as the main and secondary weapon of the German army during two world wars and many conflicts after 1945. For returning US Army soldiers from the front, there was perhaps no better trophy than the Luger. It also sold well and was popular with the police, and is now a coveted item for military weapons collectors.

Stamps on the hinge and chamber indicate that this Luger P.08 was manufactured by Erfeur Arsenal in 1917. That year, Erfurt produced 150,000 Parabellums.

And before Luger there was Borchard. German-born inventor Hugo Borchardt, who became an American as a teenager, returned to his homeland and in 1893, together with industrialist Ludwig Loewe, introduced his revolutionary, but unsightly, semi-automatic 7.6 mm pistol. The pistol had an unusual design, but was quite reliable and had several promising features, most notably the hinged bolt design.

The photo shows a typical Luger P.08 pistol safety. Gesichert means "to make safe." When the lever is lowered, the gun will not fire.

The Austrian Georg Luger saw the potential in Borchardt's creation, borrowed his hinge mechanism and turned the awkward pistol into an elegant, reliable and compact product. A prototype of his closed-breech pistol was introduced in 1898. Originally creating a pistol chambered for the 7.65x21mm cartridge, in 1901 Luger modified his 7.65mm cartridge into a new 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge, which without a doubt became one of the best pistol cartridges of all time, still a NATO standard.

It is interesting that a pistol so associated with Germany and originally manufactured at the Berlin factory Deutche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken took time to gain recognition in its homeland. The first tests were carried out by Switzerland, which became the first country to adopt the Luger into service in 1900, thereby becoming the first major power to adopt a semi-automatic pistol as its main weapon.

The sights on the standard Luger model with a 4-inch barrel were quite simple - a rear sight cut into the top of the bolt and a front sight with a dovetail mount and notches to prevent the formation of glare.

In 1904, a number of Luger pistols in 9 mm caliber were adopted by the German Navy, and four years later by the Army, under the official name Pistole 08 or "P.08". Eventually, this charismatic pistol found its way into the arsenals of many countries, including Brazil, Chile, China, Holland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, Persia (now Iran), Portugal, Romania, Russia and Turkey.

Among other semi-automatic pistols, it was also tested by the US government commission, and a .45 ACP caliber version was even produced for this purpose. The pistol also gained popularity among ordinary Americans, who were offered a limited edition with the image of the American eagle.

Lugers were made with different barrel lengths, different sights and accessories - right down to the stock and drum magazine for 32 rounds. A certain number of them were made in the form of a carbine - this option was loved by the German Kaiser Wilhelm II, who found it convenient to shoot from it with one hand, resting the butt on his shoulder, since his left hand was disfigured and did not work well.

Loading the Parabellum magazine can be a bit tricky due to the stiff spring and small, knurled feed button. But using a special device greatly simplifies the process.

The standard service model with a 4-inch barrel was produced in the largest quantities and it is its shape that is most recognizable to this day. Although more exotic versions of the Parabellum were also produced (in most places this name, originally used by the American importer A.F. Steuger, became more popular than Luger), sometimes selling for quite a large price. Some examples, preserved in good condition, are still used by shooters. And if you had to choose only one model worthy of being called a “classic”, it would be the Luger pistol model.