German sidearms information

[ck]

Hello, got a couple of questions regarding german sidearms, hopefully someone with the knowledge can fill me in...

Did all german troops carry sidearms? And what were deciding factors in whether to use the P38, P08, PPK, C96 or whatever?

I'm thinking about getting a Maruzen P38 since it seems like a great gun and GBB's are always fun to use! That makes me wonder how many spare mags the troops would carry and more importantly, where in the uniform they would put them?

[Doom]

Most German Officers carried sidearms. The P38 holster has a spare mag pouch on the holster itself. One mag in the gun, one in the holster pouch and any additional mags could be carried in a uniform pocket.

[Lev]

It was not common practice for German enlisted men to carry a handgun. Yes, some enlisted men did privately acquired a little "extra something," but at the end of the day such bravado is pretty pointless. A handgun is not going to save you from an artillery barrage, a barking machine gun nest, land mines or a tank assault. Not worth the weight.

Officers carry sidearms as a symbol of status (as a replacement to the field officers sword of the past) and for personal protection against his own insubordinate troops (or partisans).

I hope this answers your question.

[CharleyNovember]

FJ carried pistols as it was all they had till they could get to the drop cannisters.

[binarypunisher]

Unless they had MP40's

Some also sewed pistol magazie pouches onto their jump smocks.

[odinfish]

Some MG34 and MG42 gunners were issued these as well...although the amount and commonality of issue is dependent on year, availability, and division. This follows suit with pionier, panzer crewmen, and others could have had these available to them as well...but again, it's the luck of the draw.

Mike

[2ndranger]

Feldgenarmerie usually had a sidearm on them regardless of rank, as they were basically police.

Franz

[Lev]

I should have stipulated that I was speaking of your typical infantry Schutze. Hope I didn't confuse things.

[45thengineer]

Well it doesnt matter what rank you are at if you are at a vulnerable or special position such as (artillery, radio man, MG crew) you would be issued the luger replacing p38 for a sidearm. The PPK was an officers only kind of gun. Do to its small size as said earlier it was more a decoration showing authority. Leave the swords for the lancers...But a P38 would be fine for any NCO, Cpl or any schutze (with a special duty).

pvt. Debartolo

[2ndranger]

Well yes, Infantry Schutzes would be issued a p38 as Nick stated above, Depending on their position. I believe that panzer crews were issued sidearms I could be wrong but Im pretty sure they would have had something incase they bailed out faster than they could grab their mp40.

Franz

[mg42]

45thengineer said:

(artillery, radio man, MG crew) you would be issued the luger replacing p38 for a sidearm.

pvt. Debartolo

most of the time you would not be given a replacement gun if your weapon is still good... Just the New troops would more than likely have more of a chance in getting the newer model....maybe....and the P38 was made to replace the Luger...

[applestrudel]

wouldn't it be possible for a schutze to just pick up a fallen officers sidearm and as I've heard from vetsa pistol offered a sense of security while curled up ina foxhole at night.

[Jager.Drü]

That would be disrespectfull to the officer, stealing his pistol like that. Take a Russian/Brit/Ami pistol. Stealing in the German Army could mean death.