Lugers On Film

Dwight Gruber · 06-02-2003, 04:46 AM

Its been awhile since this subject came up (well except for war movies of course)--I think it was on the old discussion board. Lots of new folks since then, and its due for a reminder.

I'm prompted to post this because American Movie Classics has been running the movie "Charade" in heavy rotation lately. In the climactic scene Walter Matthau chases Carey Grant and Audrey Hepburn, Luger in hand. The Luger plays prominently, two extended scenes and a gratuitous closeup.

--Dwight

Thor · 06-02-2003, 09:18 AM

Dwight, first, congrats on those excellent pictures, wow, those are just great! It has been talked about some (see list of movies in one of the posts, not all are War Movies) Thanks for sharing about CHARADE!!
Luger Movies #1 posting
Luger Movies #2 posting (TWO PAGES)

John Sabato · 06-02-2003, 10:57 AM

Do I see a screw slot in the hole of the left Toggle in the last photo posted by Dwight?

It appears that this may be some kind of movie prop instead of an actual Luger pistol!

panda · 06-02-2003, 11:21 AM

The luger looks secured too. Safety lever up.

Edward Tinker · 06-02-2003, 12:22 PM

I know you have seen this, from the Tales of the Gun series on the Luger, Gary Cooper using a Luger because the 1911 would not use blanks during shooting of the movie.

mauro · 06-02-2003, 03:07 PM

Very interesting!!
Do you know if a LP08 was ever used in a movie?

Ciao

George Anderson · 06-02-2003, 04:54 PM

The film "ANZAC, The War Down Under" has extensive scenes where the Australians use captured LP08's and C96, both with stock, while on a trench raid.

John Sabato · 06-02-2003, 05:04 PM

There was an old (Black & White) Charlie Chan mystery movie that featured the use of an LP-08... I used to have a publicity photo showing the Luger, and the holster was on a table in the same scene, but I have been unable to find it... Anyone know the name of the movie? or have a copy of that photo?

sverre · 06-02-2003, 05:13 PM

john.
if you search for it at www.imdb.com youll find it.

sverre

George Anderson · 06-02-2003, 08:27 PM

Mauro, one more. "Ball of Fire" 1941 comedy with Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. End of the film features comic gangsters armed with LP08 and C96 which are fired full-auto. Lots of good shots of the pistols.

Johnny C. Kitchens · 06-02-2003, 09:42 PM

I see that the safety is up, but the sear block isn't up. Would that mean it is a newer (neuer) model???

ViggoG · 06-02-2003, 10:11 PM

Gentlemen, Everybody "Duck" <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />
Judging by the exposed rear portion of the sear,
THIS IS A P-08, AND ITS READY TO FIRE. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
The forward sloping sear cutout is the clue, here the Safety Sear Blocker is retracted to FIRE POSITION. <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
ViggoG

Dwight Gruber · 06-03-2003, 12:03 AM

...however, it does not look like it is "GELADEN"...

--Dwight

ViggoG · 06-03-2003, 12:42 AM

Dwight,

Ist das ein Entsafter den ich daÃ?? das Stecken von auf sehe? <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />
ViggoG <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

G.W. Gill · 06-03-2003, 01:06 AM

J.S. "Charlie Chan At The Olympics" (1937) was on tonight. Lots of lugers. I talked throughout the movie as she read the Enquire.

Edward Tinker · 06-03-2003, 02:17 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />I talked throughout the movie as she read the Enquire. <hr /></blockquote>Keep them involved that is the ticket, let her read and say, yes honey every now and then!!

Dwight Gruber · 06-03-2003, 04:41 AM

Viggo,

Nein, Ich sehe ein Standardteil dumm Sicherung. Sehe auf diese Winkel hinter dem Abzugsstange.

--Dwight

ViggoG · 06-04-2003, 01:42 AM

Dwight,
This is what I see.

A- Safety "Sear Block", "DOWN", Ready to Fire.
This is an "Old Model P-08 Sear" so #xx shows.
B- Safety Lever- - - - - - "UP" , Ready to Fire.
C- Extractor - - "UP" , Geladen , Ready to Fire.
ViggoG <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

G.W. Gill · 06-04-2003, 02:41 AM

Viggo & Ed, I don't know what would have been been more dangerous. Interrupting the Enquirer or looking at the wrong end of that luger.

Dwight Gruber · 06-04-2003, 04:24 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by ViggoG:
Dwight,
This is what I see.

A- Safety "Sear Block", "DOWN", Ready to Fire.
This is an "Old Model P-08 Sear" so #xx shows.
B- Safety Lever- - - - - - "UP" , Ready to Fire.
C- Extractor - - "UP" , Geladen , Ready to Fire.<hr /></blockquote>Viggo,

You made me make the empirical test.

Regarding "C", when a round is chambered the extractor rises 2mm above the top surface of the breechblock, and extends 1mm above the top of the receiver. It would be clearly prominent in the picture if it was loaded. In addition, at "D", the back of the extractor would be depressed into the breechblock, compressing its interior spring--this would be visible as well. (I've enhanced--brightened--the extractor area to make this a bit easier to see.)

At "A" you are right about the sear block being down, and being an "old model", un-relieved sear bar. That this is -not- a grip safety model (if I translated your original comment correctly) is demonstrated by the sear cut being angled forward, to match the forward-rake angle of the sear block. A grip-safety sear would be angled the opposite direction.

--Dwight

06-02-2003, 10:57 AM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Do I see a screw slot in the hole of the left Toggle in the last photo posted by Dwight? It appears that this may be some kind of movie prop instead of an actual Luger pistol! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

06-02-2003, 12:22 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	I know you have seen this, from the Tales of the Gun series on the Luger, Gary Cooper using a Luger because the 1911 would not use blanks during shooting of the movie. __________________ 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

06-02-2003, 03:07 PM	#6
mauro FIREARM HISTORIAN AND AUT Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 106 Thanked 349 Times in 129 Posts	Very interesting!! Do you know if a LP08 was ever used in a movie? Ciao __________________ Mauro Baudino - www.lugerlp08.com www.paul-mauser-archive.com Mauser Company and Firearm Historian - Mauser Parabellum Certification Service.

06-02-2003, 05:04 PM	#8
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	There was an old (Black & White) Charlie Chan mystery movie that featured the use of an LP-08... I used to have a publicity photo showing the Luger, and the holster was on a table in the same scene, but I have been unable to find it... Anyone know the name of the movie? or have a copy of that photo? __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

06-02-2003, 09:42 PM	#11
Johnny C. Kitchens User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 518 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	I see that the safety is up, but the sear block isn't up. Would that mean it is a newer (neuer) model??? __________________ Johnny C. Kitchens

06-02-2003, 04:46 AM	#1
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Lugers On Film Its been awhile since this subject came up (well except for war movies of course)--I think it was on the old discussion board. Lots of new folks since then, and its due for a reminder. I'm prompted to post this because American Movie Classics has been running the movie "Charade" in heavy rotation lately. In the climactic scene Walter Matthau chases Carey Grant and Audrey Hepburn, Luger in hand. The Luger plays prominently, two extended scenes and a gratuitous closeup. --Dwight

06-02-2003, 09:18 AM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Dwight, first, congrats on those excellent pictures, wow, those are just great! It has been talked about some (see list of movies in one of the posts, not all are War Movies) Thanks for sharing about CHARADE!! Luger Movies #1 posting Luger Movies #2 posting (TWO PAGES) __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

06-02-2003, 11:21 AM	#4
panda User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 148 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The luger looks secured too. Safety lever up.

06-02-2003, 04:54 PM	#7
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	The film "ANZAC, The War Down Under" has extensive scenes where the Australians use captured LP08's and C96, both with stock, while on a trench raid.

06-02-2003, 05:13 PM	#9
sverre User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	john. if you search for it at www.imdb.com youll find it. sverre

06-02-2003, 08:27 PM	#10
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Mauro, one more. "Ball of Fire" 1941 comedy with Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. End of the film features comic gangsters armed with LP08 and C96 which are fired full-auto. Lots of good shots of the pistols.

06-02-2003, 10:11 PM	#12
ViggoG RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South Side Virginia Posts: 534 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Gentlemen, Everybody "Duck" <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" /> Judging by the exposed rear portion of the sear, THIS IS A P-08, AND ITS READY TO FIRE. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> The forward sloping sear cutout is the clue, here the Safety Sear Blocker is retracted to FIRE POSITION. <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" /> ViggoG

06-03-2003, 12:03 AM	#13
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	...however, it does not look like it is "GELADEN"... --Dwight

06-03-2003, 12:42 AM	#14
ViggoG RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South Side Virginia Posts: 534 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Dwight, Ist das ein Entsafter den ich daÃ?? das Stecken von auf sehe? <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" /> ViggoG <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

06-03-2003, 01:06 AM	#15
G.W. Gill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 369 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	J.S. "Charlie Chan At The Olympics" (1937) was on tonight. Lots of lugers. I talked throughout the movie as she read the Enquire.

06-03-2003, 02:17 AM	#16
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">I talked throughout the movie as she read the Enquire. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Keep them involved that is the ticket, let her read and say, yes honey every now and then!! __________________ 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

06-03-2003, 04:41 AM	#17
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Viggo, Nein, Ich sehe ein Standardteil dumm Sicherung. Sehe auf diese Winkel hinter dem Abzugsstange. --Dwight

06-04-2003, 01:42 AM	#18
ViggoG RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South Side Virginia Posts: 534 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Dwight, This is what I see. A- Safety "Sear Block", "DOWN", Ready to Fire. This is an "Old Model P-08 Sear" so #xx shows. B- Safety Lever- - - - - - "UP" , Ready to Fire. C- Extractor - - "UP" , Geladen , Ready to Fire. ViggoG <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

06-04-2003, 02:41 AM	#19
G.W. Gill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 369 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Viggo & Ed, I don't know what would have been been more dangerous. Interrupting the Enquirer or looking at the wrong end of that luger.

06-04-2003, 04:24 AM	#20
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by ViggoG: <strong>Dwight, This is what I see. A- Safety "Sear Block", "DOWN", Ready to Fire. This is an "Old Model P-08 Sear" so #xx shows. B- Safety Lever- - - - - - "UP" , Ready to Fire. C- Extractor - - "UP" , Geladen , Ready to Fire.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Viggo, You made me make the empirical test. Regarding "C", when a round is chambered the extractor rises 2mm above the top surface of the breechblock, and extends 1mm above the top of the receiver. It would be clearly prominent in the picture if it was loaded. In addition, at "D", the back of the extractor would be depressed into the breechblock, compressing its interior spring--this would be visible as well. (I've enhanced--brightened--the extractor area to make this a bit easier to see.) At "A" you are right about the sear block being down, and being an "old model", un-relieved sear bar. That this is -not- a grip safety model (if I translated your original comment correctly) is demonstrated by the sear cut being angled forward, to match the forward-rake angle of the sear block. A grip-safety sear would be angled the opposite direction. --Dwight