[quote]Originally posted by Joe:
<strong> [img]confused.gif[/img] Is it true that the 1902 "Fat Barrel" Luger was the first handgun chambered for the 9mm cartridge? Can anyone think of another 9mm handgun that pre-dates the 1902 Luger?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Joe, the 1902 "Fat Barrel" is commonly considered to be the first pistol chambered in what we now know as the 9mm Luger cartridge. In the John Walter book "The Luger Story", chapter four goes into a lengthy story casting doubt upon the actual date that the 9mm appeared. I've only seen one 1902 Fat Barrel pistol... both before and after restoration as it was in pretty sad condition... and it was undoubtedly 9mm Parabellum.
Walter says British records suggest that the "perfected" 9mm prototypes were not ready until 1903 but in further reading, it's my opinion that the kinks had been pretty well worked out of the 9mm before the end of 1902. The issue may have been complicated for the British by their Small Arms Committee's requirement for a caliber of no less than .40 and Vicker's response that the Borchardt - Luger couldn't meet those specs.
Unless something has changed in the past few years, 1902 is still valid for the introduction of the 9mm Parabellum cartridge.
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