WW1 Luger found on Somme battlefields on Saturday

[Dwight Gruber]

Andrew,

This is a very interesting topic. Please continue to let us know how you progress, with continued excellent pictures--it will be a very good learning experience for all.

--Dwight

[Macadoon]

If the gun was loaded, what distance would one expect to measure from the tip of the muzzle to the tip of the bullet?
Converseley, if the gun was unloaded, what distance would one expect to measure from the tip of the muzzle to the back of the unloaded chamber?
Thanks
Macadoon

[Macadoon]

Hi, can anyone provide this thread with certain photographs of a ww1 luger, probably 1915-16 vintage. I found this one on a 1916 battlefield.
In particular, it would be useful to see the left and right sides of the handle, with the wooden hand plates removed?
I would then know exactly what it is I can see, grime etc on my example noted.
I think that is the magazine that can be seen in the handle in the top photo, and that the slide path can be seen (terminology is a bit off).
I've searched the net, but most of the photos it has appear to be of different models and then only from one side, or with the hand grips still on.
Any help greatly appreciated.
For those experts out there... what do these photos tell you about this luger? Any info is useful as you'll be writing for a complete novice who has caught the bug.
Macadoon

[alvin]

Originally Posted by Macadoon

I found this one on a 1916 battlefield.

Interested in how it was found. I bet millions of people have visited the site, and most won't find guns on ground surface waiting picking up. Found in a trench? in river? under ground?

I would suggest leave it as is without removing the dirt and rust. Since it's battlefield pick up, this is the best fitting.

[Macadoon]

Originally Posted by alvin

Interested in how it was found. I bet millions of people have visited the site, and most won't find guns on ground surface waiting picking up. Found in a trench? in river? under ground?

I would suggest leave it as is without removing the dirt and rust. Since it's battlefield pick up, this is the best fitting.

I found the luger in a paddock that had been recently ploughed, partially under a clod of earth. It had been raining heavily, so metal objects were relatively easy to spot. Only part of the handle was visible. In fact, truth be told, I thought it was a commonly found piece of shrapnel, and I walked past it. Something ... I don't know what ... made me think twice and revisit the spot for a closer look. Hey presto!
I want to emphasise the point that I did not, and do not condone, digging for such things. Nor do I metal detect, which is illegal on the battlefields of France.
Macadoon

[Douglas Jr.]

Originally Posted by Macadoon

Hi, can anyone provide this thread with certain photographs of a ww1 luger, probably 1915-16 vintage. I found this one on a 1916 battlefield.

There were two producers of P.08 pistols at that time: DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitionfabriken) and Erfurt (Königlich Preussische Gewehrfabrik Erfurt)
Here are some examples:

DWM 1915: http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...6a71fdc1bd4cde

DWM 1916: http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...6a71fdc1bd4cde

ERFURT 1916: http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...6a71fdc1bd4cde

As you can notice (and according to Vlim's observation), they all look the same concerning its major features: 100mm barrel, fixed sights, caliber 9mm Luger.

Douglas.

[suum cuique]

Originally Posted by Macadoon

If the gun was loaded, what distance would one expect to measure from the tip of the muzzle to the tip of the bullet?
Converseley, if the gun was unloaded, what distance would one expect to measure from the tip of the muzzle to the back of the unloaded chamber?
Thanks
Macadoon

You could put in a pencil til the breech block = approx. 10,2cm.
If it's loaded just 7,4cm.
10,2 cm
- 3,00cm
= 7,2cm

(a regular nowaday FMJ 9mm luger cartridge is 30 mm long, WW1 ammo was slightly shorter)

[A.Mifsin]

Originally Posted by suum cuique

You could put in a pencil til the breech block = approx. 10,2cm.
If it's loaded just 7,4cm.
10,2 cm
- 0,19cm
= 7,3 cm

(a regular nowaday FMJ 9mm luger cartridge is 19mm long, WW1 ammo was slightly shorter)

Am I correct that .19cm is the case, so you have to add the bullet, which give and take is .30cm. overall.

Alf

[suum cuique]

Originally Posted by A.Mifsin

Am I correct that .19cm is the case, so you have to add the bullet, which give and take is .30cm. overall.

Alf

Yes of course, you are totally right! What was I thinking at the moment
Just the case is .19mm, sorry.