Great info. I've never heard of the P-657(n). As a soldier today, I know the current policies for captured/personal weapons. As a rifleman, I am not authorized to carry a captured or personal weapon (in case I might actually hit something). I am also not authorized a sidearm. Having served in a quasi-combat area (Bosnia, during the U.S. bailout of the UN Protection Force in the mid 90s), I know there were no exceptions made. Everything we confiscated from the locals was tagged, bagged and destroyed (usually by welding the receivers closed until they could be melted down). I wonder why these policies came into effect when all it took to bring home captued German ordnance was a signature from the unit commander. Any ideas?
P.S. The photo is from the National Archives. This is hardly an example of the the battle-hardened, evil SS men who gave the Luger such a sinister reputation.
http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/NaziSuperman.gif