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The First German Assault Weapon: The Lange Pistole 08 (ad-free)
🕑 Added 2023-07-13 12:00:05 +0000 UTCThe Lange Pistole 08 (long pistol), or Artillery Luger as it is commonly known today, has an interesting history. It was originally developed as a personal defense weapon for German field artillery and air crews. While the foot artillery had been issued carbines, the field artillery were mounted and highly mobile, and needed something smaller than a carbine. The LP08 was to replace remarkably old black powder 1879 and 1883 Reichsrevolvers for them. With its detachable shoulder stock, it could serve as a handgun or a faux carbine.
The LP08 was adopted in 1913, but significant production wasn't;t pushed until World War One began, and deliveries took some time to really get moving. About the time substantial numbers were able to be issued to new artillery units, troops in the trenches were recognizing just how well-suited the weapon was to the patrols and trench raids of the static warfare of northern France. In 1916 a drum magazine with a 32 round capacity was designed for the LP08, using Freidrich Blum's patent originally intended for an aviator's drum magazine for the Mondragon rifle. With a stock and drum, the LP08 was arguably the single best existing weapon for close-quarters fighting.
Incidentally, a fully automatic version of the Luger was tested (mostly for air crews) but rejected because its rate of fire was simply too high to be practical.
In February 1918, a German High Command order first used the word "sturm" in an assault context, describing elite "sturmkompagnies" that were to be issued artillery Lugers and drums for close combat. These would be replaced late that year by new submachine guns (the MP-18,I) as they became available, but the LP08 was the original specialty weapon of the Sturmtruppen.
What I find doubly interesting is that this sort of story would repeat itself many times over the following century. A light and handy weapon was developed for rear echelon or support troops, and became embraced by elite special forces, often to the exclusion of its original intended users. Notable examples that come to mind are the MP7, P90, and M1 Carbine.
Comments
Forgotten Weapons
I'm sorry to hear it. I have videos like this one for Patreon without any of that...
Pokeroots
I know YouTube has been rough on both firearms and long form content lately. but I have come to the conclusion that the current state of constant giveaways ($50 mugs for the entry), and the direction the channel has taken just isn't the channel it was when I started my Patreon support. I wish you all the best Ian.
Patreonreallyletsyoumakelongassusernamesguys
Hi Ian, a nice informative video as always. As you mentioned the pronounciation in the early bit of the video: Your german pronounciation in general is very good for someone that doesn't speak the language. For this particular case, the st in pistole is an s-t, not a sh-t, and the e at the end is somewhat pronounced. for the st - similar to the english word ("piss-tole"), and for the e: somewhere between a french e and a french é. that doesn't look very helpful written out, but i hope it makes sense nonetheless.
Paul Beck
Cool!!! 🤠👍
Douglas Knapp
Cool stuff Ian, but way echo-y background.
Guido Schriewer
I doubt that in 18 were any "ELITE" left alive on any side. however I'd take a LP08 with a stock and or without snail anyday before entering a hostile trench over a carbine or rifle.
I have a 1920 Commercial model Luger with 4 in. (?) barrel. The front top of the receiver is cut for an Artillery rear sight, hinting that it was originally an Artillery receiver, the standard PO8 not having this square notch.
Loke von Post
Awesome video, very interesting! :D I've got a question though: When did the whole thing with "Schnellfeuer"/fully automatic Lugers take place? Or am I missing something, and all of the LP08s used by Sturmtruppen were Schnellfeuers? Thanks in advance! :)
