Patented in 1898 and produced from 1900, Georg Luger's iconic
semi-automatic pistol became synonymous with Germany's armed forces
throughout both world wars.
Initially chambered for the 7.65×21mm round, from 1902 the Luger was
designed for DWM's 9×19mm round, which even today remains the most
popular military handgun cartridge. It was adopted by the Imperial
German Navy in 1904, followed by the German Army in 1908, receiving the
name Pistole 08. Despite being supplanted by the Walther P38, the Luger
remained in widespread service with all arms of Nazi Germany's armed
forces throughout World War II, and even equipped East Germany's
Volkpolizei in the years after 1945.
Featuring full-color artwork, expert analysis, and archive and
present-day photographs, this engaging study tells the story of the
Luger, the distinctive and deadly semi-automatic pistol that has come to
symbolize Germany's armed forces in the 20th century.