Did the SS use Lugers?
 

Im currious, did the Waffen SS or Henrich Himmler or even Adolf Hitler himself carry and owned Luger p08's? I have heard gun show guys trying to pass off b/s about this Luger was used by the SS and thats why it's so much money. and my friend was telling me that the Luger was a nazi gun because old Adolf had and used one. Is this true? because i allways thought the SS and the Gestapo used the Walther P38.

The 1934 "Triumph of The Will" shows Himmler carrying a Luger holster.
Hitler's personal SS guard officers are shown with the same holsters strapped to their waist. Both during a parade closing the annual Sept Nazi rally in Nuremburg.

They were issued what other folks were issued, so P08's, P38's, but also got some of the older or captured guns, hi-Powers, etc...


But there is a mysteque or infamy witht he SS, so folks pay a premium when the SS is attached to guns, so there are lots of BS stories floating around and always will be.

Ed

One thing we must remember is that until mid war the Waffen SS was not looked upon well by the Heer. They were issued anything from C-96, High Powers, CZ's and basically anything they could get their hands on. Later on when they had proven themselves the better weapons found their way to the SS.

Re: Did the SS use Lugers?
 

I don't recall ever seeing a photograph of hitler wearing any kind of side-arm.

The GESTAPO were not a military organisation - the word is an acronym of GEheim STaats POlizei - STATE SECRET POLICE.

tac

Gentlemen... please stay out of the politics and keep the discussion to Lugers. Thanks... (JS-Admin)

There are pictures extant of Himmler shooting a luger with both left and right hand; there are written descriptions of Hitler shooting a luger at the Berghof. I own the pistol and have pictures of von Ribbentrop wearing a P-08. He was, btw, a major general in the SS.
But as Doug remarked above, the SS were low on the logistical food chain and were generally seen as thugs and rowdies by the aristocrats who ran the Army.

Tom A

Hitler, may have well carried a PO8 as a corporal in WW1, but more likely a Mauser 98 rifle. As Der Furer, he was presented a gold plated luger by KH, a plated PP &/or PPK by Walther and probably about any other German made pistol that you can name. Like many politicians today, he probably didn't bother to carry a gun, as he was nomally surrounded by armed succurity. As stated above, the SS was rated below the Armed Forces in small arms procurement, until they decided to use their vast pool of slave labor to build their own. TH