Luger P08 with Wooden Grip, Germany 1898

Description of the Product

Georg Luger designed this classic semi-automatic pistol, officially named Pistole Parabellum. However, according to the name of the designer, the pistol was commonly referred to as Luger only. The name Parabellum comes from the old Roman-era Latin saying "Si vis pacem, para bellum", meaning "If you want peace, prepare for war." The saying is thought to mean that a person or state that is armed and ready for war will not be attacked or forced into war because such an attack would become too costly.

The Luger prototype was completed in 1898 and Switzerland was the first country to adopt this modern pistol. The pistol was particularly expensive and the authorities marveled at the small caliber and doubted the effectiveness of the weapon. With minor modifications, however, the Pistole Parabellum Modell 1908, or P08, was chosen for use by the German army in 1906. The weapon was also sold to Bulgaria and Bolivia, but mainly the P08 made a name for itself in the German army before World War I, and most of the pistols made went to Germany.

During the Finnish Civil War in 1918, Lugers were used both by Finnish jaegers returning from Germany, and as part of the basic armament of the German Baltic Division, commanded by German General von der Goltz.

After Germany was defeated in World War I and Europe was in ruins, the manufacture of this pistol continued in Germany, albeit in a 7.65mm version, after the Treaty of Versailles banned Germany from making 9mm weapons. Between the world wars, Lugers was bought by the Netherlands, Persia, Portugal, Sweden and Finland. The 8,000 units purchased by Finland as service weapons for the Defense Forces were named the 7.65 mm Pistol m / 23, and the weapon was in very common use in Finland during the Second World War. In addition to the Defense Forces, these pistols were also purchased by the thousands before the Winter War by the White Guard and by private individuals. Lugers were sold in the 1930’s, e.g. in the sports department of the Stockmann department store. During the Winter War and the Continuation War, the Lugers were mainly at the forefront of the combat forces. In addition to officers, this pistol was a service weapon for several non-commissioned officers, armored personnel, pilots, and machine gun crews.

After the wars, Luger remained the most common service pistol in Finland, and some Lugers were also included in the official armaments of the police . It was not until 1984-1985 that most Lugers were abandoned, although the working pieces remained in use by the Defense Forces and the police until the 1990s.

This pistol was used in Germany throughout the First and Second World Wars. While for other weapons the development during this time period was rapid, Luger held its ground. It was not until the advent of World War II that pistols competing along the same line began to appear. Thus, handguns can be clearly divided into weapons before Luger and weapons after Luger. After the defeat of Germany in World War II, Luger had already seen its best days. It still continued in active use by the East German police. Of course, in this tight police state led by Stasi, Luger still had an active historical influence.

Although Luger was used by countries other than Germany, in our shared imagination this pistol is forever connected to Nazi Germany and because of this connection the weapon has appeared in the hands of countless villains and suspicious figures in movies and other works of fiction.

The gun can be cocked and dry fired like the right one. The slide moves and the magazine is removable. This replica weapon is made of metal cast (zamak) and the handle plates are hardwood.

• This gun is an exact replica of the original. The replica matches the original in size and weight, and the mechanisms of the weapon are working. Due to the materials used, the mechanisms cannot withstand continuous cocking and firing for long periods.
• Genuine wood and cast metal have been used to make this replica weapon. Zamac differs from steel in many respects, so the structure of the gun does not withstand pressure, it cannot be used to fire cartridges, nor can it be converted to a functional weapon by any means. The magazine differs slightly from the original, so that it cannot be used with a real gun.
• Replica guns such as this do not require permits in Finland, nor in many other countries. However, since the gun looks real, it should not be carried in public.
• A replica gun is perfect for historical re-enactment, on a theater stage, in film productions, for collectors of historical memorabilia, and as decoration.
• Length: 25,5 cm
• Weight: 980g
• Manufacturer: Denix, Spain

Due to the nature of this item please read about shipping options/restrictions if ordering outside Finland.   –More information about international shipping-