Question regarding German officers' pistols

alvin · 04-29-2008, 07:06 AM

I read somewhere saying German officers buying their own pistols. Here are a few questions:

1) Who were the suppliers? Direct factory order, retail store, order from military, or some other sources?

2) Any constraints on brand and caliber? Could a commercial gun without military inspection/acceptance mark be carried?

3) Did they also have to pay for ammo and holster?

4) Specific rules regarding who would get military issued gun, who had to pay themselves? Uniform set of rules for Imperial, Weimar, and Third Reich?

Thanks!

Ron Smith · 04-29-2008, 09:00 AM

Alvin,

There was an original price list posted by a member at one time, listing pistols with prices available for private purchase.

If I recall, the War Ministry would purchase the pistols and offer them at a discount. Much like our Military PX's and Base or Post Exchanges would.

Ron

George Anderson · 04-29-2008, 09:40 AM

Jan Still lists all models makes and prices of pistols offered to pre WWI German officers in his new book. Imperial German army officers were responsible for buying all their uniforms, equipment etc. Everything from their under wear to their horses.

Lugerdoc · 04-29-2008, 09:41 AM

To Alvin & the other chipmunks: Officer's private purchased pistols would not be marked with an military acceptance and were generally either purchased from some large retailers such as AKAH, Geco, etc. or were recieved as gift from a relative. I don't believe that there were any restrictions as to caliber, but if they were an odd one, the officer probably had to scrounge his own ammo. Most were in 6.35, 7.63, 7.65 or 9mm. Rember that these were for his personal protection when on or off duty, and if needed in a combat situation, he would be "loaned" a more appropriate military issue weapon, that he would turn in when the need was over. TH

alvin · 04-29-2008, 10:09 PM

Thanks everyone! .... lazy me.... will send out my book order form tommorrow.

alvin · 05-10-2008, 06:38 PM

Books arrived! Saw many names that I have read hundreds (if not thousands) of times......... thanks a lot for the great reference!

04-29-2008, 07:06 AM	#1
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Question regarding German officers' pistols I read somewhere saying German officers buying their own pistols. Here are a few questions: 1) Who were the suppliers? Direct factory order, retail store, order from military, or some other sources? 2) Any constraints on brand and caliber? Could a commercial gun without military inspection/acceptance mark be carried? 3) Did they also have to pay for ammo and holster? 4) Specific rules regarding who would get military issued gun, who had to pay themselves? Uniform set of rules for Imperial, Weimar, and Third Reich? Thanks!

04-29-2008, 09:00 AM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Alvin, There was an original price list posted by a member at one time, listing pistols with prices available for private purchase. If I recall, the War Ministry would purchase the pistols and offer them at a discount. Much like our Military PX's and Base or Post Exchanges would. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-29-2008, 09:41 AM	#4
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	To Alvin & the other chipmunks: Officer's private purchased pistols would not be marked with an military acceptance and were generally either purchased from some large retailers such as AKAH, Geco, etc. or were recieved as gift from a relative. I don't believe that there were any restrictions as to caliber, but if they were an odd one, the officer probably had to scrounge his own ammo. Most were in 6.35, 7.63, 7.65 or 9mm. Rember that these were for his personal protection when on or off duty, and if needed in a combat situation, he would be "loaned" a more appropriate military issue weapon, that he would turn in when the need was over. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

04-29-2008, 09:40 AM	#3
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,528 Times in 787 Posts	Jan Still lists all models makes and prices of pistols offered to pre WWI German officers in his new book. Imperial German army officers were responsible for buying all their uniforms, equipment etc. Everything from their under wear to their horses.

04-29-2008, 10:09 PM	#5
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Thanks everyone! .... lazy me.... will send out my book order form tommorrow.

05-10-2008, 06:38 PM	#6
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Books arrived! Saw many names that I have read hundreds (if not thousands) of times......... thanks a lot for the great reference!