General Name?

alterfritz · 10-17-2009, 06:18 AM

I was thinking about the name "Luger" recently. I know it's not an official name for our pistols in any way and never has been during the "lifetime" of the gun.

Is there any other "official" designation that can be used in a generic sense for a Luger? I mostly refer to it as Parabellum but I'm not sure if that is not specific to the WWI Lugers?

Ice · 10-17-2009, 08:11 AM

I think that "P08" is a common term.

Charlie

Ron Smith · 10-17-2009, 10:36 AM

P.08 'Pistole.08' is the correct term. Parabellum designates the cartridges it was chambered in, 7.65MM (.30 Luger) Parabellum and 9MM Parabellum (9MM Luger).

Lugerdoc · 10-17-2009, 10:37 AM

Fritz, The Latin name Parabellum (prepare for war) was the official name and teletype (pre fax or email) address used by DWM. IMHO the PO8 term, indicates a military 9mm luger with a 4" (100mm) long barrel. TH

Vlim · 10-17-2009, 10:59 AM

The official name was the selfloading pistol 'Parabellum' or simply the Parabellum pistol.

Parabellum was intended as a brand name for the firearms that DWM produced. Over the years, this brand name idea vanished and the pistol became known as the "Parabellum".

Personally, I think that the phrases "Luger", "the Luger pistol", 'Parabellum' and 'the Parabellum pistol' are all acceptable generic names for the gun.

P08 is reserved for the German military type (9mm, no grip safety, military style), just as LP08 and 'Navy' or 'Navy Luger' are associated with other models.

lugerholsterrepair · 10-17-2009, 02:59 PM

P08 did not come into usage untill the German Army accepted the pistol as it's replacement sidearm in 1908.

Most German weapons are designated by year of acceptance in the Army. P35-MP38-M37-MP44 on and on.

As Vlim notes Parabellum was an early brand name but the designation has a progression.. and ultimately in the USA... Luger is more common than the European designation of Parabellum or P08.

Jerry Burney

alterfritz · 10-18-2009, 01:44 AM

Thanks guys, that clarifies it a bit. I know that Luger is the common name, but it's also not an official name so I was just curious. I was also betting my money on Parabellum it seems to be more like a crossover between the cartridge and the pistol it was designed for so I'm good with these two names

Edward Tinker · 10-18-2009, 05:30 PM

It sure depends on where you are. You go to gun shows and ask to see their parabellum and they'll look at you like you're an idiot.

Tascher patended / copyrited the name "Luger" in the early 1900's in the USA, so in the USA it has become known as the luger.

As Tom said, a P08 is a 4 inch military, a p04 is a early navy, a LP08 is an artillery, etc.

Let alone "old fashioned names" for the luger, such as model 1914 (with a stock lug) etc. alll depends on who you talk to.

Ed

OLDJARHEAD · 10-18-2009, 05:37 PM

ALCON

If we are taking a vote, I think Ed said it the best.

Out.

Mike Dunham

alvin · 10-18-2009, 06:43 PM

Para is actually a better name. Luger sounds too close to Ruger. But convention is powerful.

Vlim · 10-18-2009, 06:55 PM

Or as Mauser wrongfully suggested at the time of the reintroduction in 1969: '.38 luger', lol.

alvin · 10-18-2009, 06:58 PM

The first time that I read the name Parabellum was from Russian novel "Судьба человека". A Russian soldier was captured by German during the war (WWII) and he was recycled to serve a German Major as a car driver. He finally knocked out the German and returned to his home. The German Major carried a "Parabellum"..... cool name for a pistol.

http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%...1%D1%82%D1%8C)

saab-bob · 10-18-2009, 08:18 PM

Alvin
I didn't know they spoke Russian in Madagascar?
Bob

10-17-2009, 06:18 AM	#1
alterfritz User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 63 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	General Name? I was thinking about the name "Luger" recently. I know it's not an official name for our pistols in any way and never has been during the "lifetime" of the gun. Is there any other "official" designation that can be used in a generic sense for a Luger? I mostly refer to it as Parabellum but I'm not sure if that is not specific to the WWI Lugers?

10-17-2009, 10:36 AM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	P.08 'Pistole.08' is the correct term. Parabellum designates the cartridges it was chambered in, 7.65MM (.30 Luger) Parabellum and 9MM Parabellum (9MM Luger). __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-17-2009, 10:37 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	Fritz, The Latin name Parabellum (prepare for war) was the official name and teletype (pre fax or email) address used by DWM. IMHO the PO8 term, indicates a military 9mm luger with a 4" (100mm) long barrel. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

10-17-2009, 02:59 PM	#6
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,933 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	P08 did not come into usage untill the German Army accepted the pistol as it's replacement sidearm in 1908. Most German weapons are designated by year of acceptance in the Army. P35-MP38-M37-MP44 on and on. As Vlim notes Parabellum was an early brand name but the designation has a progression.. and ultimately in the USA... Luger is more common than the European designation of Parabellum or P08. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

10-18-2009, 05:30 PM	#8
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	It sure depends on where you are. You go to gun shows and ask to see their parabellum and they'll look at you like you're an idiot. Tascher patended / copyrited the name "Luger" in the early 1900's in the USA, so in the USA it has become known as the luger. As Tom said, a P08 is a 4 inch military, a p04 is a early navy, a LP08 is an artillery, etc. Let alone "old fashioned names" for the luger, such as model 1914 (with a stock lug) etc. alll depends on who you talk to. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

10-17-2009, 08:11 AM	#2
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	I think that "P08" is a common term. Charlie

10-17-2009, 10:59 AM	#5
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	The official name was the selfloading pistol 'Parabellum' or simply the Parabellum pistol. Parabellum was intended as a brand name for the firearms that DWM produced. Over the years, this brand name idea vanished and the pistol became known as the "Parabellum". Personally, I think that the phrases "Luger", "the Luger pistol", 'Parabellum' and 'the Parabellum pistol' are all acceptable generic names for the gun. P08 is reserved for the German military type (9mm, no grip safety, military style), just as LP08 and 'Navy' or 'Navy Luger' are associated with other models.

10-18-2009, 01:44 AM	#7
alterfritz User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 63 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks guys, that clarifies it a bit. I know that Luger is the common name, but it's also not an official name so I was just curious. I was also betting my money on Parabellum it seems to be more like a crossover between the cartridge and the pistol it was designed for so I'm good with these two names

10-18-2009, 05:37 PM	#9
OLDJARHEAD User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 299 Thanks: 18 Thanked 19 Times in 9 Posts	ALCON If we are taking a vote, I think Ed said it the best. Out. Mike Dunham

10-18-2009, 06:43 PM	#10
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Para is actually a better name. Luger sounds too close to Ruger. But convention is powerful.

10-18-2009, 06:55 PM	#11
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Or as Mauser wrongfully suggested at the time of the reintroduction in 1969: '.38 luger', lol.

10-18-2009, 06:58 PM	#12
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	The first time that I read the name Parabellum was from Russian novel "Судьба человека". A Russian soldier was captured by German during the war (WWII) and he was recycled to serve a German Major as a car driver. He finally knocked out the German and returned to his home. The German Major carried a "Parabellum"..... cool name for a pistol. http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%...1%D1%82%D1%8C)

10-18-2009, 08:18 PM	#13
saab-bob User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 459 Thanks: 774 Thanked 143 Times in 87 Posts	Alvin I didn't know they spoke Russian in Madagascar? Bob __________________ "I think,therefore I own guns"