Hold open (when was it added?)

Dwight Gruber · 06-04-2007, 11:01 PM

Mike,

The Pistole Parabellum was designed to include a holdopen. They are present beginning in 1900, in all collector-designation models 1900 Old Model through 1906 New Model.

During testing for adoption as service sidearm, the German army decided that the holdopen (and grip safety) were unnecessary complications to the pistol, and so were designed out of the 1908 model (military and commercial) for simplification and weight reduction. These pistols began production in 1909. The corresponding P-08 Commercial model was produced without a holdopen as well, although there are examples known with original holdopens.

In May 1913 the German Army thought better of it, and revised the P-08 specification to again include a holdopen. Some DWM 1912 P-08 are found with holdopen; most DWM 1913 and beyond have the holdopen included. Erfurt began production with holdopen in 1913. The corresponding collector designation 1914 Commercial also includes a holdopen. All Luger pistols of any nature manufactured after this date include the holdopen.

By the same directive, all P-08 currently in service were to be retrofitted with a holdopen. DWM and Erfurt pistols between 1909 and 1913 which have the holdopen added have a characteristic pin inserted in the right side of the frame above and to the left of the trigger, and a small crown/Letter inspector stamp certifying the work.

All Lugers contracted by the German Navy--collector designations 1904, 1906, 1908, and chamber date 1916-1917--have the holdopen.

The frame interiors of Lugers which were not manufactured with holdopen were not machined to accept one. A Luger frame machined for the holdopen should find one present.

--Dwight

06-04-2007, 11:01 PM	#3
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Mike, The Pistole Parabellum was designed to include a holdopen. They are present beginning in 1900, in all collector-designation models 1900 Old Model through 1906 New Model. During testing for adoption as service sidearm, the German army decided that the holdopen (and grip safety) were unnecessary complications to the pistol, and so were designed out of the 1908 model (military and commercial) for simplification and weight reduction. These pistols began production in 1909. The corresponding P-08 Commercial model was produced without a holdopen as well, although there are examples known with original holdopens. In May 1913 the German Army thought better of it, and revised the P-08 specification to again include a holdopen. Some DWM 1912 P-08 are found with holdopen; most DWM 1913 and beyond have the holdopen included. Erfurt began production with holdopen in 1913. The corresponding collector designation 1914 Commercial also includes a holdopen. All Luger pistols of any nature manufactured after this date include the holdopen. By the same directive, all P-08 currently in service were to be retrofitted with a holdopen. DWM and Erfurt pistols between 1909 and 1913 which have the holdopen added have a characteristic pin inserted in the right side of the frame above and to the left of the trigger, and a small crown/Letter inspector stamp certifying the work. All Lugers contracted by the German Navy--collector designations 1904, 1906, 1908, and chamber date 1916-1917--have the holdopen. The frame interiors of Lugers which were not manufactured with holdopen were not machined to accept one. A Luger frame machined for the holdopen should find one present. --Dwight