Word "Revolver" Used to Describe German Handguns

max2cam · 03-09-2003, 11:55 AM

The use of the term "revolver" has long dismayed and troubled me when reading English works that mention German handguns. I think we will all agree that P.08 translates into "Pistole (model) 1908" -- and NOT "Revolver (model) 1908."

However, there is still argument over this subject. I have had guys come back at me when I pointed out this apparent incorrect usage of "revolver" by English writers, that perhaps the German under discussion really did have a revolver. Perhaps he was armed with an old Reichs Revolver or a captured U.S. or Brit revolver. Getting at the entire truth was impossible.

However, I just finished reading an older English translation (1996 reprint) of Ernst Jueger's book: "The Storm of Steel" that describes his frontline service in the Reichswehr during the First World War. Here are some interesting quotes from the work that shed light on the question of what type of handgun (revolver or semi-auto pistol) that Jueger was using:

First off: The book contains many references to revolvers in the hands of German troops. Here is one example:

p.104: "...more than once I surprised myself with my finger on the trigger of my revolver."

Here we see the problem once again. Just what does this German have his hand on? It says revolver as plain as day. But is it a revolver?

Possibly not. Read this:

p.196: "I was in full array: two sandbags in front of my chest, each with four stick bombs, the left-hand one having instantaneous, the right-hand with time fuses; in the right-hand pocket of my tunic I had an 08 revolver on a long cord; in my right trouser pocket a small Mauser pistol; in my left tunic pocket five egg bombs; in the left trouser pocket a phosphorescent compass and a policeman's whistle; in my belt spring books for pulling out the spring pins; a dagger, and wire-cutters."

Oh, but perhaps you say that I'm reading this wrong, because he calls the Mauser (M1910?) a "pistol," so perhaps the "08" is NOT what I think it is (a P.08 Luger), but some sort of "08" model revolver. Perhaps an 8mm revolver you say?

Impossible. Read this revelation:

p.89: "At the first shot the magazine of my revolver dropped out, and I stood shouting at an Englishman who squeezed himself closer and closer against the barbed wire."

That clinches it for me. Revolvers do NOT have magazines that drop out. This tells me that the reader CANNOT trust any book that contains the word "revolver" when describing German handguns.

Since I don't have the original German source in front of me, I don't know what German word for handgun was used in this book. It is strange that "revolver" then "pistol" appears in the same sentence. But I can state with certainty that whoever started this mess of calling a semi-pistol a "revolver" should be hanged. It is a small but grave error that ruins historical accuracy. For me, it somewhat ruined what otherwise is a great book because I can't help but flinch everytime the term "revolver" is used. The word revolver does NOT conjuer up the image of a Luger and that's what it should be.

One more item:

p.262: "No quarter was given. The English hastened with upstretched arms through the first wave of storm troops to the rear, where the fury of the battle had not reached boiling point. An orderly of Gipkens' shot a good dozen or more with his 32 repeater."

Is this a Luger snail-drum in use here?

Excellent book. Best treatment of WWI that I have ever read.

03-09-2003, 11:55 AM	#1
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Word "Revolver" Used to Describe German Handguns The use of the term "revolver" has long dismayed and troubled me when reading English works that mention German handguns. I think we will all agree that P.08 translates into "Pistole (model) 1908" -- and NOT "Revolver (model) 1908." However, there is still argument over this subject. I have had guys come back at me when I pointed out this apparent incorrect usage of "revolver" by English writers, that perhaps the German under discussion really did have a revolver. Perhaps he was armed with an old Reichs Revolver or a captured U.S. or Brit revolver. Getting at the entire truth was impossible. However, I just finished reading an older English translation (1996 reprint) of Ernst Jueger's book: "The Storm of Steel" that describes his frontline service in the Reichswehr during the First World War. Here are some interesting quotes from the work that shed light on the question of what type of handgun (revolver or semi-auto pistol) that Jueger was using: First off: The book contains many references to revolvers in the hands of German troops. Here is one example: p.104: "...more than once I surprised myself with my finger on the trigger of my revolver." Here we see the problem once again. Just what does this German have his hand on? It says revolver as plain as day. But is it a revolver? Possibly not. Read this: p.196: "I was in full array: two sandbags in front of my chest, each with four stick bombs, the left-hand one having instantaneous, the right-hand with time fuses; in the right-hand pocket of my tunic I had an 08 revolver on a long cord; in my right trouser pocket a small Mauser pistol; in my left tunic pocket five egg bombs; in the left trouser pocket a phosphorescent compass and a policeman's whistle; in my belt spring books for pulling out the spring pins; a dagger, and wire-cutters." Oh, but perhaps you say that I'm reading this wrong, because he calls the Mauser (M1910?) a "pistol," so perhaps the "08" is NOT what I think it is (a P.08 Luger), but some sort of "08" model revolver. Perhaps an 8mm revolver you say? Impossible. Read this revelation: p.89: "At the first shot the magazine of my revolver dropped out, and I stood shouting at an Englishman who squeezed himself closer and closer against the barbed wire." That clinches it for me. Revolvers do NOT have magazines that drop out. This tells me that the reader CANNOT trust any book that contains the word "revolver" when describing German handguns. Since I don't have the original German source in front of me, I don't know what German word for handgun was used in this book. It is strange that "revolver" then "pistol" appears in the same sentence. But I can state with certainty that whoever started this mess of calling a semi-pistol a "revolver" should be hanged. It is a small but grave error that ruins historical accuracy. For me, it somewhat ruined what otherwise is a great book because I can't help but flinch everytime the term "revolver" is used. The word revolver does NOT conjuer up the image of a Luger and that's what it should be. One more item: p.262: "No quarter was given. The English hastened with upstretched arms through the first wave of storm troops to the rear, where the fury of the battle had not reached boiling point. An orderly of Gipkens' shot a good dozen or more with his 32 repeater." Is this a Luger snail-drum in use here? Excellent book. Best treatment of WWI that I have ever read.