Luger Artillery Model
Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken · Pistol · Discontinued · 1913
Also known as: LP08, Lange Pistole 1908, Artillery Luger, Lange Pistole 08
Overview
The Luger Artillery Model, officially the Lange Pistole 1908 (LP08), is a long-barreled variant of the German P08 Luger semi-automatic pistol. Adopted by the Imperial German Army in 1913, it features a 200mm barrel, an eight-position tangent rear sight graduated to 800 meters, and an attachment lug for a detachable wooden shoulder stock that converts it into a carbine. It used the recoil-operated toggle-lock action and the 8-round box magazine, and could be fed by the 32-round Trommelmagazin snail-drum magazine. Issued first to artillery crews and later to aviators and assault troops, it was intended to bridge the gap between a pistol and a rifle during the First World War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1060 g (37.4 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1160 g (40.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 317 mm (12.48") |
| Barrel Length | 200 mm (7.87") |
| Height | 135 mm (5.31") |
| Width | 41 mm (1.61") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 350 m/s (1148 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 460 J (339 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Grip Safety
- Features: Toggle Action, Tangent Rear Sight, Detachable Shoulder Stock, Drum Magazine Compatible, Long Barrel
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Imperial German Army · adopted 1913 · as Lange Pistole 1908
- Luftstreitkräfte · adopted 1914
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1913-1918
DWM was the principal manufacturer; Erfurt produced the LP08 for 1914 only. Production ended with the close of the First World War.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Georg Luger
Discontinued: 1918
Notes
Produced by DWM and, for 1914 only, by the Royal Prussian arsenal at Erfurt. Often paired with the 32-round Trommelmagazin (snail drum) and a board-type shoulder stock with leather holster.
Background
The LP08 earned the nickname 'Artillery Luger' because it was first issued to German field-artillery crews who needed a defensive arm more compact than the Gewehr 98 rifle. Fitted with its shoulder stock and 32-round snail drum, it became a favored close-quarters weapon of Sturmtruppen trench raiders.