Pistole

Luger Pistole, Model 1908-P08

The 1 lb 14 oz handgun was first issued in WWI and retained during the Wehrmacht's expansion due to weapons shortages. The P08 chambered a 9mm parabellum round from a detachable 8 round magazine. The system of operation revolved around a recoil and toggle joint. Although preferred by officers, the P08 did not prove to be reliable under combat conditions and was replaced by the Walther P38. The overall length of the barrel is 4 1/2 inches, and weighs 2 pounds. It's effective combat range is around 32 yards.

Walther Pistole P38

Adopted in 1938, the P38 was a replacement for the P08. It weighs 2 lbs 1.5 oz and has an 8 round detachable magazine. Double action capability is due to its recoil operating system. The P38 was well accepted by both the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS due to its ability to operate in all types of adverse conditions. Chambered in 9mm parabellum, the overall length of the barrel is 4 3/4" and has the same effective range as the P08.

walther PP/PPK (Polizei Pistole, Polizei Pistole Kriminal) & soft shell Holster

The compact pistole that was used by officers and armored crews was the Walther PP. It was produced in 7.65mm and 9mm parabellum calibers. It was very compact in size and shape and featured a 3.9 inch barrel and eight round magazine in the grip. Its effective range was around 32 yards. Its small size and the ease at which it could be concealed made it also popular with security personnel and police. The PPK was slightly smaller with an overall barrel length of 3.4 inches, and a magazine capacity of 7 rounds, apart from being slightly smaller, it was very similar to the PP.

1896 Mauser "Broomhandle" without stock or holster

Probably the most unusual of the handguns used by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS during WWII was the Mauser C96, commonly known as the "broomhandle" due to the distinctive round, wooden handle. The magazine was located in front of the trigger guard. It has a 10 round capacity magazine when used as a pistol and had an optional 20 round magazine when used as a carbine. It was loaded with stripper clips, the same way as most rifle magazines were loaded. It was available in 7.62mm Mauser and 9mm parabellum calibers, with one version, known as "Schnellfeuer", capable of automatic fire. The wooden stock doubled as a holster. The overall length with the stock is 25 1/2 inches, and its weight with the stock is 2lbs 8oz.

P35 Browning High Power designated Pistole Modell 640(b) with soft shell holster

During the occupation of Belgium in 1940, the production facilities at Fabrique Nationale were turned to producing arms for the Wehrmacht. As a result, great quantities of the Browning High-Power Pistols were manufactured and issued in German made leather soft shell holsters. Semiautomatic, 9mm parabellum feed by a double stack 13 round magazine. Three variations exist 1st- slotted for shoulder stock and tangent sight.2nd –tangent sight, 3rd with a fixed sight.

Radom VIS 35 designated Pistole Modell 35(p) with soft shell holster

The 9mm parabellum Radom entered Polish Service in 1936. They are divided into 3 grades. "Grade 1 Radom’s are marked by a Polish Eagle on the left hand side of the slide and the markings "F.B RADOM VIS-wz. 35 pat. Nr. 15567" These pistols featured a groove for a shoulder stock, a grip safety, a de-cocking leaver and a catch to hold open the slide for disassembly (located behind the grip). After the invasion of Poland, production of the Radom was continued, with all pistols going to the expanding Wehrmacht. Grade 2 pistols did away with some of the niceties of production in favor of speed and economy so exhibit a rougher appearance. The option to have the shoulder stock was also dropped. Grade 3, came about as the result of the advancing Soviet forces. As the Red Army approached Poland, production of the Radom was switched to the Steyr factory in Austria. Shortage of materials and the huge demand for weapons meant that these are the roughest Radoms encountered. They have a poor standard of finish, wooden grips and the disassembly catch has been removed. The semi automatic pistol weights 2.7 lbs and is feed by a 8 round detachable box magazine.