Luger and General German Handgun question

Dwight Gruber · 07-30-2014, 07:25 PM

Late to the conversation.

Pistols in the German army were not a privilege of rank, unlike the US army. In the German army pistols were issued to soldiers who's duties made it impractical to carry a rifle or carbine--motorcyclists, machine gun and artillery crews, technical specialists are just a few who come immediately to mind. Pistols (not necessarily P08s) were also issued to civilian staff in the army's employ.

"German Pistols and Holsters 1934-1945, vol. IV" by Robert Whittington is a detailed compendium of how the Wehrmacht was armed, based on the German KStN regulations (the German equivalent of the US Table of Organization and Equipment). It makes for very enlightening reading.

The primary purpose of the P08 holster was to protect the pistol from the environment. It was not a primarily offensive weapon; its use was somewhat more deliberate so "quick-draw" capability was not particularly pertinent.

--Dwight

07-30-2014, 07:25 PM	#7
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Late to the conversation. Pistols in the German army were not a privilege of rank, unlike the US army. In the German army pistols were issued to soldiers who's duties made it impractical to carry a rifle or carbine--motorcyclists, machine gun and artillery crews, technical specialists are just a few who come immediately to mind. Pistols (not necessarily P08s) were also issued to civilian staff in the army's employ. "German Pistols and Holsters 1934-1945, vol. IV" by Robert Whittington is a detailed compendium of how the Wehrmacht was armed, based on the German KStN regulations (the German equivalent of the US Table of Organization and Equipment). It makes for very enlightening reading. The primary purpose of the P08 holster was to protect the pistol from the environment. It was not a primarily offensive weapon; its use was somewhat more deliberate so "quick-draw" capability was not particularly pertinent. --Dwight