I Have This Old Gun: Dutch Luger

by
posted on June 9, 2021

When it comes to the Luger semi-automatic pistol and its service history, most attribute it to the German military during the first half of the 20th Century. However, the Luger saw service with more than just the German military at the time, as other European nations also considered and used the toggle-lock semi-automatic pistol. This included the Dutch military.

A C-93 Borchardt, the semi-automatic handgun off which the Luger was designed.

The design history of the Luger began with an earlier design, the C-93 Borchardt. The Borchardt was a semi-automatic handgun, one of the first to feed from detachable box magazine, designed by Hugo Borchardt in 1893. This handgun was revolutionary for the time, being a semi-automatic that used a Maxim toggle-bolt design, where the bolt folded upwards instead of slinging rearward.

A cutaway drawing of a Luger pistol.

Borchardt’s assistant, Georg Luger, modified the mechanisms and layout of the C-93 into his own design. Luger’s pistol design incorporated better ergonomics over the C-93, with an angled grip and reduced size thanks to the elimination of the large receiver extension found on the C-93. Introduced by the end of the 19th Century, the Luger became a rapid success with several European nations adopting the design for their own use, including Switzerland and Germany. Even the U.S. Army considered the design during trials that would ultimately result in the M1911.

A depiction of a Luger pistol.

The Dutch military conducted their own pistol trials at the time, and after a six-year trial period selected the Luger in 1904. However, discrepancies over the budget with the government meant that the Dutch military was not able to immediately adopt the pistols. The Dutch East Indies, a separate group, also considered the Luger design and adopted it as the M11, while the regular Dutch military was still issuing double-action revolvers. The Dutch Navy and Army, after a long procurement process spanning a decade, also finally issued their own versions of the Luger.

Dutch soldiers, with their Lugers drawn, crossing a river.

Due to the long procurement time, the Dutch were still ordering Lugers after Germany surrendered in 1918. Because German manufacturers were not allowed to produce more military small arms per the terms of the Armistice, the British company Vickers made the pistols for the Dutch from German made parts. The Dutch continued to use the Luger up to World War II.

To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

Latest

Remington 700 Bdl Ihtog 1
Remington 700 Bdl Ihtog 1

I Have This Old Gun: Remington 700 BDL

After Winchester came out with its iconic Model 70, Remington Arms had catching up to do in the sporting-rifle market. Eventually, its answer was the Model 700, a gun that became one of the most recognized bolt-action designs of all time.

New For 2024: EAA Girsan MC9 Disruptor

European American Armory's latest addition to its MC9 handgun line is aptly named, as the Disruptor is intended to provide an incredible range of features at a price point below other similar options.

I Have This Old Gun: Marlin 1894 Trapper

Collectors refer to these shortened carbines as “trappers,” but that term was never officially used by either Winchester or Marlin. Winchester referred to them as “Baby Carbines” or “Special Short Carbines” on the rare occasions when they were cataloged.

The Rifleman Report: From The ''Inside Out''

The term “inside out” can be taken literally or applied as a phrase to describe the thoroughness with which an idea is understood. In this month’s issue, we hope to illustrate that the latter especially is used as a guiding principle to keep the American firearm industry at the top of its game.

Colt CZ Group Makes Offer For Vista's Ammo Brands

Colt CZ Group made an unsolicited proposal to purchase the Sporting Products Division of Vista Outdoor, which includes Federal, CCI, Remington Ammunition and others.

Review: Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal

Firearm trends appear to be a virtual pendulum at times—it isn’t uncommon to see a theme grab hold of the industry only to be reversed entirely some years later.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.