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Luger P08 (Pistole Parabellum 1908 / Parabellum-Pistole)


Semi-Automatic Handgun


Imperial Germany | 1904



"The immensely popular Pistole Parabellum Model 1908 semi-automatic pistol - sometimes referred to simply as the Luger - became a German World War 2 stalwart."

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Luger P08 (Pistole Parabellum 1908 / Parabellum-Pistole). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
164 ft
50.0 m | 54.7 yds
Max.Eff.Range
375 ft/sec
114 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity
Physical
The physical qualities of the Luger P08 (Pistole Parabellum 1908 / Parabellum-Pistole). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
223 mm
8.78 in
O/A Length
98 mm
3.86 in
Barrel Length
1.92 lb
0.87 kg
Weight
Semi-Automatic; Short Recoil; Toggle-Locked
Action
7.65x22mm Parabellum; 1908 (P08) 9x19mm Parabellum
Caliber(s)
8-Round Detachable Box Magazine; 32-Round Detachable Drum
Feed
Iron Front and Rear.
Sights
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Luger P08 (Pistole Parabellum 1908 / Parabellum-Pistole) Semi-Automatic Handgun family line.
Pistole P08 - Base Series Production Designation; introduced in 1908.
Ordonnanzpistole 00 (OP00) - Swiss designaton of 7.65x21mm Parabellum Luger; introduced in 1900.
P08 (Navy) - Navalized Luger model; 6-inch barrel; two-position rear sight.
Lange Pistole 08/P17 Artillerie ("Artillery Luger") - Pistol Carbine Form introduced in 1908; 8-inch barrel; 8-position tangent rear sight; shoulder stock; issued with holster; optional 32-round drum magazine.
Luger .45 - Developmental evaluation Luger chambered for the .45 ACP for the US Army.
M1900 - American copy of the Luger P08.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/19/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The German P08 pistol (or "Pistole 1928" or "P'08" or "Luger") was one of the more famous German-based pistol designs of the Second World War. Its origins were actually well before that, prior to the First World War in fact, when they were originally produced by Hugo Borchardt. It wasn't until later in the weapon's life that the design was furthered by one Geroge Luger that the designation "Luger" stuck with the pistol design. In these terms then, the designation of Luger can be misleading though still correct to a certain extent.

The original P08 production models were chambered to fire a 7.65mm round and were adopted by the Swiss Army as early as 1900. The more recognized version of the Luger became the Pistole 1928 designation, as it was the adopted production model of the year 1908. This model in itself was an improved version of previous generation 9mm pistols known as 'neuer Art'.

In 1914, the P08 production began appearing from other lines as in the Koniglich Gewehrfabrik Erfurt series, and it was about this time that the optional shoulder stock came into the design.

Despite the restrictions set aside by the Treaty of Versailles regarding Germany's defeat, the pistol continued to be made, either within the German border or in production lines elsewhere in Europe - by this time chambered for the more known 9mm Parabellum round. The British even produced the P08 model series of pistols through the Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd firm with parts supplied from Germany. These versions were eventually shipped through Holland for the Netherlands East Indies armies abroad.

The P08 series proved to be an extremely reliable and robust handgun, considering the locking device was of a complicated design. This fact also proved the P08 to be extremely complicated to produce in the numbers required during war time. Reports were, however, favorable as to the firing action of the system, allowing for an easy of use in the point-and-shoot department.

The Luger would continue to be produced right up to the opening years of the Second World War when its ultimate successor - the Walther P38 was starting to come around. Official production of P 08 Luger's would last until 1942 with a total of some two million models produced including variants and sub-variants.

The Luger would go on to become a collector's favorite hand gun with some of the prize collectors being Allied troops themselves - confiscating the hand gun as a trophy of their exploits in and throughout the war. Though expected to be replaced in large numbers by the oncoming Walther P 38, production numbers of that pistol never materialized to expected levels, allowing the Luger to be found in most frontline and reserve situations.

In the end, the pistol has proven to stand the test of time, resurfacing every now and again under production by some company around the globe. A specialized variant of theP 08 series existed as the P17 Artillerie model which featured a barrel 8-inches longer than the standard P 08. This variant was designed to hold a full 32-rounds of ammunition (held in a drum magazine) though it was not in production by the time the Second World War rolled around.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Luger P08 (Pistole Parabellum 1908 / Parabellum-Pistole). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Deutsche Waffen-und-Munitionsfabriken - Germany (among others)
National flag of Bolivia National flag of Brazil National flag of Bulgaria National flag of France National flag of Finland National flag of modern Germany National flag of the German Empire National flag of Nazi Germany National flag of East Germany National flag of Iran National flag of modern Japan National flag of the Netherlands National flag of Portugal National flag of Switzerland National flag of Taiwan National flag of Turkey National flag of Zimbabwe

[ Bolivia; Brazil; Bulgaria; Finland; France; East Germany; German Empire; Nazi Germany; Germany; Imperial Japan; Iran; Netherlands; Portugal; Taiwan; Switzerland; Turkey; Zimbabwe ]
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Image of the Luger P08 (Pistole Parabellum 1908 / Parabellum-Pistole)
Left side view of the Luger P08 semi-automatic pistol; color.

Going Further...
The Luger P08 (Pistole Parabellum 1908 / Parabellum-Pistole) Semi-Automatic Handgun appears in the following collections:
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