Actually, the carrying of hand guns has always been seen as quite ordinary and vulgar by most of the officers in European armies, especially when attending public events, parties and meetings.
When they had to carry something, they chose to carry something that was small and easily concealable.
Dwight is spot on with his remark that the Germans used logic: Where it is impractible or impossible to carry a rifle, you carry a pistol instead.
Also something to remember: The vast majority of German hand guns on todays USA markets are NOT veteran bring backs. They were imported by the hundred thousands by mostly one importer: Interarms. Interarms bought virtually all German (and other) European surplus handguns between 1950 and 1990. The buying frenzy of Interarms caused the US inland arms industry to protest and force a change of import laws, which led to the 1968 Gun Control Act. By that time, Interarms had amassed such a large amount of weapons that they could supply the US market for years to come.
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