Quote:
Originally Posted by Jasta2
I guess that answers my question. There are still lots of little Luger mysteries to be solved.
When it comes to the KU Lugers. I know there was many Lugers made for the Fuftwaffe, were these all made by Krieghoff? If so, would the KU marked Lugers almost be considered a subset of the those made by Krieghoff to collectors? I'm sorry as to my knowledge of the Lugers made by Krieghoff.
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Bill,
Less than 10 percent of the Model P.08s issued to the Luftwaffe were made by Krieghoff. The vast majority were made by Mauser.
Now, from 1935 to 1937 , the original contract to Krieghoff for 10,000 guns was fulfilled. There is no record of Mauser shipments. HK supplied the LW needs in this timeframe
Subsequently, another approximately 3000 guns were made up to 1944. Totally about 13,000 guns. To put this in perspective, the total HK production of P.08s was just what Mauser produced in a good month.
From 1938 to 1942, Mauser shipped to the Luftwaffe approximately 162,000 guns, i.e. about 25 percent of its production during the peak years of supply.
The guns supplied to the Luftwaffe were not specifically marked and were proofed according to Heereswaffenamt standards and thus are not different from those shipped to the Army.
Now, as to the Ku's, these are basically Mauser made, some with mixed HK parts, that went through a Luftwaffe rebuild center and hence were inspected by the Luftwaffe inspectors. At least that is current thinking to which I subscribe. Remember for all intents and purposes, Mauser had switched production from the P.08 to the P.38 in 1942. The LW needed sidearms up to war end, but they were lower priority for the P.38 which was going to the Army. So they had to develop alternate sources.
It must be remembered that the Luftwaffe did more that fly airplanes. They had air defense, airborne and local security forces, etc. . They used a lot of P.08s. In fact except for some bomber and cargo aircraft, the P.08 was not used as crew sidearm because it was too big.
Hope this helps.
John