When Germany went to war in 1914, the standard sidearm was the P.08 Luger pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger. The iconic Luger, with its graceful lines, though, was not ideal for the mud and dirt of the trenches. But it wasn’t just the Luger. Imperial Germany dug the archaic Reichsrevolver out of storage, as well as issuing huge numbers of Mauser Broomhandle pistols. The Broomhandle, first introduced in 1896, was really the world’s most successful semi-automatic pistol. Know what a “Red 9” is? Better watch this episode of American Rifleman to find out.
For more American Rifleman TV segments, go to americanrifleman.org/artv.
Handguns of The Great War: Lugers and Broomhandles
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Interests
Savage Arms Helps Raise $1 Million for Youth Shooting Sports Through Support of MidwayUSA Foundation | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- Savage Arms Helps Raise $1 Million for Youth Shooting Sports Through Support of MidwayUSA Foundation | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- Recall: Stop Use Order for CVA Paramount Series Muzzleloaders | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- New for 2026: Spartan Precision Equipment Valhalla Gen 2 Bipod | An Official Journal Of The NRA
Weatherby Goes Black Powder: The Model 307 MZY | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- Remington We the People 250th Anniversary Ammo Ships to Retailers | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal
- XS Sights Adds Pre-Drilled Fiber Optic Sights for Smith & Wesson Revolvers | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal
- Remington Performance Wheelgun 22 Rimfire Built for Classic Revolvers | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal











