Bavarian Cavalry P08
 

Almost all cavalry marked to Bavarian and Wuerttemberg regiments are 1908 first militaries. None of them I have encountered had added hold-opens. This one is marked to the 2nd Bavarian Ulan Regiment, 3. Eskadron. I acquired it some ten years ago with the help of my friend Dave Molchen.

Like the JzP pistol, I found a stable mate for the Bavarian last year. It's a bit of an odd ball as it's dated 1915 and marked to a Regimental staff. Bavarian 2 Ulan Regiment.

Great stuff George, I love that tschapka!
Best regards, Norm

Very nice!

Well, George, this noob is throughly impressed with the marvelous items in your collection (even if I can't fully appreciate what I am looking at).

Really nice photography and great historical pieces

George I have a 1910 8th Dragoon regiment Luger with a hold open installed. I could show you pictures if interested

Always glad to look at photos.

Nice group of Bavarian cavalry items Geo, See you really do need a horse,

Beautiful historical artifacts George, very impressive. These photo's are a real pleasure to look at and indicative of the sophisticated collector. These photo's are why WW1 German Militaria is so interesting compared to 3rd Reich. I appreciate both but the imperial era has real depth.

George My Photography is not quite as good as your but here is the side by side of my field hospital with no hold open and the Dragoon with the hold open installed.

I hope i am not hijacking this thread I just love the 1908's with unit marks and am anxious to hear all that the masters have to teach.

Here is the thread link
http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=29659

Thanks for the link Wayne. As I posted then, they are beauties.

Hi,

No hold open device on a 1915?

Sieger

No hold-open on the 1908. All 1915 P08s have hold-opens.

Perfect photography, Tks! George, would you please explain the significance of a 'hold open' I have heard the term used for years but not sure its' significance~?

Eric, the hold-open lever is the internal part that holds the toggle back on an empty magazine. They were not installed at time of manufacture until 1913/14.

Eric,

That's the little lever on the right side of the inner frame that holds the toggle open after the last shot, or when racked with an empty magazine. They were added later to many early pistols, (around 1913?) and pistols that had the hold open added have a small proof next to the added pin on the outer right side of the pistol frame, above and behind the trigger.

Hold open levers were installed on Lugers around 1914 if I remember properly.

Here is a 1908 that I purchased from George that appears converted!

1913 Was the transition year, some had the hold open from the factory some did not, some added later; by 1914 all were installed at the factory.