P08 Lang (Artillery) Luger 9mm self loading pistol
01. Original name | Luger Lange Pistole ’08 (Artillery Model) | |
02. Other official names | Model 1900 & Swiss Luger, Model 1902, Navy Model, Model 1906, Model 1907 US Pistol Trials, Lange Pistole ’08 (Artillery Model) | |
03. Popular names | Luger | |
04. Chamberings | 9mmP; it was in .30 luger when adopted by the Swiss and then made in 9mm para once Luger had designed the round as the 7.65 was underpowered for the Army. It was also made in .45acp (very rare) for U.S. Trials. | |
05. Designed by | George Luger | |
06. Design date | 1900 | |
07. In service date(s) | First Order placed by the Swiss in 1900 and remained in use with various modifications until 1970’s. In use with German Military from 1900 until 1945. Still in use with other users until 1990’s | |
08. Adopted by | Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chad, Georgia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Japan, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Iran, Luxemburg, Malta, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Ottoman Empire, China, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Soviet Union, Sudan, Switzerland, Turkey, Thailand, U.K., U.S., and Venezuela | |
09. Production quantities | 3,000,000 | |
10. Mechanism | Toggle locked, short action semi-automatic. Fitted with 8rd detachable box magazine | |
11. Weight | 871grms (1lb 15oz) | |
12. Mountings | At the early part of WW1 the P’08 was modified by fitting a lug to the heel of the grip. This allowed the fitting of a wooden shoulder stock | |
13. Practicality in action | The Luger pistols were made to high standard and close tolerances. The design made it necessary for some hand fitting. This meant that interchangeability of parts was not always practical. However, the pistol was accurate and reliable. It also is renowned for its “natural pointability”. | |
14. Comments / Other information | P08 Luger (Lang) 9mm Automatic Pistol (Germany) (WW1) Introduce in 1917; widely know as the “Artillery Model Luger” because users included artillery personnel; 8” barrel and range-adjustable back sight – it is a specialised version of the basic P08 pistol; uses standard 8-round box magazine and a 32-round ”snail” drum magazine; a detachable wooden butt is carried with the associated holster. |