Those Mysterious Forty-fives

Steve D · 08-04-2012, 02:21 PM

Mike - I referenced Gortz and Sturgess, Vol. 1, pp 457 - 467. Quoting from P. 461, "If either or both of the surviving examples of the Model 1907 Parabellum had been used for the US trials or as development models, both must have been re-barreled, since they both now have chambers, without the Kropfungsliderung step, cut for the US standard 1911 (.45 ACP) cartridge and not the 1906 cartridge used in the trials, which is 1mm longer."

That said, Stills (Central Powers Pistols) lists the caliber of the known (only from a photograph) trials gun as .45 ACP (Table 1h, page 7). Wikipedia also says that the 1907 trials utilized the new Browning-designed .45 ACP and makes no mention of an earlier, longer .45 M1906 round.

Keep in mind I consider myself a beginner. I deferred to Gortz and Sturgess as the final authority as to what round the 1907 US trials actually utilized, but there may be some controversy there. They do show a photograph (page 460) of several Parabellum barrels discovered following WWII, at least one of which is chambered for the longer .45 M1906 cartridge. Maybe more research needs to be done on origin and use of that round.

As a side note to picking and choosing researchers - imagine my dejection when Gortz and Sturgess said in the same three volume set that Mauser NEVER used brown grips, as I have a beautiful 1940 42 code Mauser with brown Kreighoff grips! But then Hallock and Van de Kant (The Mauser Parabellum) come along and report brown grips in my same serial number range! So I guess I'll go with the latter researcher on that one!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

08-04-2012, 02:21 PM	#9
Steve D User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 23 Thanks: 7 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Mike - I referenced Gortz and Sturgess, Vol. 1, pp 457 - 467. Quoting from P. 461, "If either or both of the surviving examples of the Model 1907 Parabellum had been used for the US trials or as development models, both must have been re-barreled, since they both now have chambers, without the Kropfungsliderung step, cut for the US standard 1911 (.45 ACP) cartridge and not the 1906 cartridge used in the trials, which is 1mm longer." That said, Stills (Central Powers Pistols) lists the caliber of the known (only from a photograph) trials gun as .45 ACP (Table 1h, page 7). Wikipedia also says that the 1907 trials utilized the new Browning-designed .45 ACP and makes no mention of an earlier, longer .45 M1906 round. Keep in mind I consider myself a beginner. I deferred to Gortz and Sturgess as the final authority as to what round the 1907 US trials actually utilized, but there may be some controversy there. They do show a photograph (page 460) of several Parabellum barrels discovered following WWII, at least one of which is chambered for the longer .45 M1906 cartridge. Maybe more research needs to be done on origin and use of that round. As a side note to picking and choosing researchers - imagine my dejection when Gortz and Sturgess said in the same three volume set that Mauser NEVER used brown grips, as I have a beautiful 1940 42 code Mauser with brown Kreighoff grips! But then Hallock and Van de Kant (The Mauser Parabellum) come along and report brown grips in my same serial number range! So I guess I'll go with the latter researcher on that one!