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chuck · 12-30-2001, 03:07 PM

Tom,

I had intended to allow some time to pass before jumping back into this thread, but given your informative and comprehensive reply, I think that you've provided me with a very good starting point. Many thanks from a fellow army aviator at Fliegerhorst Langendiebach/Hanau.

Perhaps the most relevant point is your warning with respect to the legalities of private "importation." This is a real minefield at the moment, as the laws affecting U.S. personnel have changed considerably during the past 12-18 months. In effect, we are now required to abide by the same rules and regulations which govern German nationals. This means compulsory membership in an organized Schuetzengesellschaft, possession of the national Waffenbeisitzkarte, limits upon the type and quantity of weapons owned and exhaustive registration.

How this (or post FOPA/'86 developments) may have impacted the previous "bring back" moratorium is anyone's guess. Army officials have outlined the ATF procedures to be followed for importation of locally-acquired arms in general terms, but the details are lacking. My understanding is that this has primarily been done to insure that no restricted weapons (as in Title II/Class III, or worse, those dreaded high-capacity 9mm pistols) are brought back into CONUS. I don't know how this may impact a "normal" P-08 or C&R gun, but I do know that the importation of commercial equivalents of contemporary military arms (i.e. HK SOCOM .45s) is generally permissible under current law. Sounds like I've a bit more research to do on this. Worst case, I suppose I might be limited to a commercial Parabellum, vice an ex-Wehrmacht example. Either way, the prices seem very reasonable over here, and I think it would be foolish to overlook these opportunities. With respect to condition, recent restorations and parts switching, as an M1 Garand owner I am quite familiar with each these phenomena. Just the same, I appreciate the heads-up.

So ... which P-08 to pursue? A couple of things seem clear after re-reading your reply: (1) I should make a point of carefully seeking out a specific pistol that appeals to me, as opposed to simply plopping down $500 for an unknown variant, and (2) I need to get some decent reference material on hand before doing anything else. I have scanned the book offerings at Amazon and elsewhere, and I seem to recall being impressed by a copy of Kenyon's "Lugers At Random" years ago. I have heard good things about Jan Stills' books -- which, if any, of these might you recommend to me?

Chuck

12-30-2001, 03:07 PM	#3
chuck User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: delaware Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Wartime P-08s: Questions Tom, I had intended to allow some time to pass before jumping back into this thread, but given your informative and comprehensive reply, I think that you've provided me with a very good starting point. Many thanks from a fellow army aviator at Fliegerhorst Langendiebach/Hanau. Perhaps the most relevant point is your warning with respect to the legalities of private "importation." This is a real minefield at the moment, as the laws affecting U.S. personnel have changed considerably during the past 12-18 months. In effect, we are now required to abide by the same rules and regulations which govern German nationals. This means compulsory membership in an organized Schuetzengesellschaft, possession of the national Waffenbeisitzkarte, limits upon the type and quantity of weapons owned and exhaustive registration. How this (or post FOPA/'86 developments) may have impacted the previous "bring back" moratorium is anyone's guess. Army officials have outlined the ATF procedures to be followed for importation of locally-acquired arms in general terms, but the details are lacking. My understanding is that this has primarily been done to insure that no restricted weapons (as in Title II/Class III, or worse, those dreaded high-capacity 9mm pistols) are brought back into CONUS. I don't know how this may impact a "normal" P-08 or C&R gun, but I do know that the importation of commercial equivalents of contemporary military arms (i.e. HK SOCOM .45s) is generally permissible under current law. Sounds like I've a bit more research to do on this. Worst case, I suppose I might be limited to a commercial Parabellum, vice an ex-Wehrmacht example. Either way, the prices seem very reasonable over here, and I think it would be foolish to overlook these opportunities. With respect to condition, recent restorations and parts switching, as an M1 Garand owner I am quite familiar with each these phenomena. Just the same, I appreciate the heads-up. So ... which P-08 to pursue? A couple of things seem clear after re-reading your reply: (1) I should make a point of carefully seeking out a specific pistol that appeals to me, as opposed to simply plopping down $500 for an unknown variant, and (2) I need to get some decent reference material on hand before doing anything else. I have scanned the book offerings at Amazon and elsewhere, and I seem to recall being impressed by a copy of Kenyon's "Lugers At Random" years ago. I have heard good things about Jan Stills' books -- which, if any, of these might you recommend to me? Chuck