Tanker and Panzer sidearms- WW2
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 1:04 am
In Rctank's 'Diorama" section, I noticed a 1/16 scale P38 pistol. Panzer units used that, as well as the Luger -08 and Walther PPK.That made me think of sidearms/ personal defence weapons issues to tank crews in WW2. In the last couple of years, I've been lucky enough to test some of them. I'd like to emphasise that the pics are of fully legal, registered and securely kept firearms. We (my son and I) use them outside the UK on Swiss ranges and, if you follow the 10 golden rules of firearm safety, ranges can be fun. Firing historic weapons also requires, and encourages, research, and interest in what our forebears went through. The past comes alive a little through them. Just so with crossbows and longbows. The guns are:-
A1 and 2: Enfield No 2 Mk 1, .38cal revolver. Standard issue to Officers, COs and tank commanders (Recce units too) from 1939-45, alongside the Webley Mk 4 it imitated closely. It was accurate close up, but the long, double-action trigger pull impacted on aiming.
Tankers were issued with a version where the external hammer (for cocking) was largely removed, to avoid snagging in confined spaces (e.g a turret) The long double action was unavoidable. This model was issued to the RAF in 1939, and has a full hammer for cocking (much better). At 76 years old, it still performs well. Hope the same can be said for me at that age. Some collectors never this gun. It ejects the six used sheets simultaneously, and that looks great in slo-mo.
B1,2 and 3: Walther PPK 7.65mm. This compact semi-automatic was originally aimed at use by police detectives (hence...PolizeiPistolenKommando), because it's size makes it easy to conceal. In WW2, it was used by Army, Panzers, Police and Luftwaffe. It was also used by Adolph Hitler to kill himself. These days, we associate it with James Bond. It's barrel length makes it inaccurate beyond 20mtrs; but it feels well engineered.
C2,C3. Luger 08, 7.65mm (often 9x19mm parabellum though). Often associated with 'Ve ask zer questions' type gestapo characters in films and tv. Anton Diffring often played the crazed stereotype. Beautifully made, to tight tolerances, I found it a pain to reassemble. Oddly enough, Vickers (now BAE systems) made some for the Dutch in the 1920s. Has an almost unique toggle-lock action, where most pistols have a slider. This is a swiss made model. (Made in Switzerland from 1900 on.)
D1,2. Walther P-38. 9mm semiautomatic. German standard service weapon from 1940 on, gradually replacing the Luger. Accurate, like the Luger, but much simpler and better balanced, I found.
E1,2 SiGSauer P226, 9mm semiauto. This is a modern military sidearm, used by special forces, armoured units and police. It's the best of the lot, I think. It's well balanced, accurate, easy to service and looks..well, cool.
It's just hobby stuff.. if a little more dangerous than airsoft.
A1 and 2: Enfield No 2 Mk 1, .38cal revolver. Standard issue to Officers, COs and tank commanders (Recce units too) from 1939-45, alongside the Webley Mk 4 it imitated closely. It was accurate close up, but the long, double-action trigger pull impacted on aiming.
Tankers were issued with a version where the external hammer (for cocking) was largely removed, to avoid snagging in confined spaces (e.g a turret) The long double action was unavoidable. This model was issued to the RAF in 1939, and has a full hammer for cocking (much better). At 76 years old, it still performs well. Hope the same can be said for me at that age. Some collectors never this gun. It ejects the six used sheets simultaneously, and that looks great in slo-mo.
B1,2 and 3: Walther PPK 7.65mm. This compact semi-automatic was originally aimed at use by police detectives (hence...PolizeiPistolenKommando), because it's size makes it easy to conceal. In WW2, it was used by Army, Panzers, Police and Luftwaffe. It was also used by Adolph Hitler to kill himself. These days, we associate it with James Bond. It's barrel length makes it inaccurate beyond 20mtrs; but it feels well engineered.
C2,C3. Luger 08, 7.65mm (often 9x19mm parabellum though). Often associated with 'Ve ask zer questions' type gestapo characters in films and tv. Anton Diffring often played the crazed stereotype. Beautifully made, to tight tolerances, I found it a pain to reassemble. Oddly enough, Vickers (now BAE systems) made some for the Dutch in the 1920s. Has an almost unique toggle-lock action, where most pistols have a slider. This is a swiss made model. (Made in Switzerland from 1900 on.)
D1,2. Walther P-38. 9mm semiautomatic. German standard service weapon from 1940 on, gradually replacing the Luger. Accurate, like the Luger, but much simpler and better balanced, I found.
E1,2 SiGSauer P226, 9mm semiauto. This is a modern military sidearm, used by special forces, armoured units and police. It's the best of the lot, I think. It's well balanced, accurate, easy to service and looks..well, cool.
It's just hobby stuff.. if a little more dangerous than airsoft.