Luger P08
Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken · Pistol · Discontinued · 1908
Also known as: Pistole Parabellum 1908, Pistole 08, P.08, Parabellum-Pistole
Overview
The Luger P08 (Pistole Parabellum 1908) is a toggle-locked, recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol designed by Georg Luger in 1898 and adopted by the German Army in 1908. Chambered primarily in 9x19mm Parabellum -- a cartridge designed specifically for it -- the P08 became one of the most iconic and recognizable handguns in history. Its distinctive toggle-lock mechanism, in which a jointed arm locks the breech and cycles upward upon firing, gives the pistol its unmistakable profile. The P08 served as the standard-issue sidearm of the German Empire through World War I and continued in widespread service with the Wehrmacht through World War II, even after the Walther P38 was adopted as its official replacement in 1938. Over two million P08s were manufactured between 1900 and 1945 by DWM, Erfurt Arsenal, Mauser, Simson, and Krieghoff. The pistol is renowned for its excellent accuracy, ergonomic grip angle, and precision engineering, though it demanded meticulous maintenance and careful manufacturing tolerances. The 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge created for the Luger went on to become the most widely used military handgun cartridge in the world.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 870 g (30.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1020 g (36.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 222 mm (8.74") |
| Barrel Length | 102 mm (4.02") |
| Height | 135 mm (5.31") |
| Width | 38 mm (1.50") |
| Sight Radius | 196 mm (7.72") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Trigger Pull | 27 N (6.1 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 350 m/s (1148 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 481 J (355 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1800 m (1968 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
- 7.65x21mm Parabellum — also known as .30 Luger, 7.65mm Luger, 7.65mm Parabellum
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Toggle Lock Action, Single Action Trigger, Blade Front Sight, V Notch Rear Sight, Checkered Wood Grips
Variants
- Luger Model 1900 — Original
- Luger Model 1902 — Modernized
- Luger Model 1904 (Navy) — Military
- Luger Model 1906 — Modernized
- Lange Pistole 08 (Artillery Luger) — Long Barrel
- Luger P08 Navy Model — Military
- Luger P08 Carbine — Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Imperial German Army · adopted 1908 · as Pistole 08
- Imperial German Navy · adopted 1904 · as Marinepistole 04
- Wehrmacht (Nazi Germany) · adopted 1935 · as P.08
- Swiss Armed Forces · adopted 1900 · as Ordonnanzpistole 1900
- Portuguese Armed Forces · adopted 1908 · as Pistola m/908
- Royal Netherlands Army · adopted 1911
- Bulgarian Armed Forces · adopted 1908
- Brazilian Armed Forces
- Bolivian Armed Forces
- Finnish Defence Forces · adopted 1923 · as m/23
- Swedish Armed Forces
- Ottoman Empire
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Finnish Civil War (1918-1918)
- Chaco War (1932-1935)
Production
Estimated total produced: 2,000,000 · Production years: 1900-1945
Over 2 million produced by DWM, Erfurt Arsenal, Mauser, Simson, and Krieghoff between 1900 and 1945.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Georg Luger
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
The name 'Parabellum' derives from the Latin phrase 'Si vis pacem, para bellum' (If you seek peace, prepare for war), which was the motto of DWM. Earlier Luger models (1900, 1902, 1906) were chambered in 7.65x21mm Parabellum before Georg Luger necked up the cartridge to create the 9x19mm round at the request of the German Navy. The Lange Pistole 08 (LP08) Artillery variant featured a 200mm barrel, 8-position tangent rear sight calibrated to 800 meters, and a board-type shoulder stock; it was often paired with the 32-round TM08 drum magazine (Trommelmagazin). The P08 was the first semi-automatic pistol widely adopted by a major military power in 9mm caliber. Production transferred from DWM to Simson in 1925, and then to Mauser in 1930. Krieghoff also produced limited quantities for Luftwaffe contracts. The pistol was officially replaced by the Walther P38 in 1938, but P08 production continued until 1943, and many remained in front-line service through the end of World War II. The P08 lacks a slide in the traditional sense; instead, the barrel extension and toggle assembly serve the same function.
Background
The Luger P08 gave birth to the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge -- now the most widely used military handgun cartridge on Earth. The name 'Parabellum' comes from the Latin motto 'Si vis pacem, para bellum' (If you seek peace, prepare for war). Prized as war trophies by Allied soldiers in both World Wars, original Lugers remain among the most collectible military firearms.