The P-08 Luger is perhaps the best recognized automatic pistol in the world apart from the Colt M1911A. And it introduced the 9mm Parabellum round, the Luger itself often referred to simply as the Parabellum. The standard issue had a 4" barrel and 8 rd mag. But in 1911 development started on an Artillery Model that was produced starting in 1914. It was designed for artillery and fortress troops as well as some airmen as a sidearm for those first air skirmishes where pistols and rifles were used by fighter and early bomber crews before MGs and cannon became standard. The official designation varies as either Artillery P-08. Model 1914, or more appropriately with the snail drum and stock as the Model 1917. By that time German Stormtroopers in camouflage and using the Bergmann MP-18 SMG were also issued the M17 for trench warfare. This had a longer 7.5" barrel with a rear tangent-leaf sight and a new 32 rd snail mag. It could be fired with or w/o a simple attached wooden stock to act as a carbine. Found favorable with German and Austrian troops, the Allies found it amazing too. The US Army coveted this weapon as a supreme Luger trophy. Although 144,000 were ordered in 1914, the number produced is not known. Postwar, several were modified for civilian shooters with 10-12" barrels. but its most remarkable feat was the transition from flat-tipped automatic military rounds to ogival rounds (round-tipped) that became standardized with this weapon for all militaries to this day. The substitution was made due to jamming in the snail drum with flat-tips. There are plans to revive this pistol with new synthetics, railings, longer barrels, and a Z-mag of 45 rds!!!

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