Georg Luger patented his semi-automatic, rifled, breech-loading pistol in 1898. It used a toggle-lock (delayed blowback) action to cope with the powerful new 9mm Parabellum round. It replaced the Reichsrevolver as the German front-line service handgun in 1908 (hence its alternative names 'P08' or 'Lange Pistole 08') and was in official use until 1938.

This Artillery model has a longer-than-normal eight-inch barrel and tangent rear-sight, and was issued shortly before the First World War. This example dates to 1916. More than 198,000 were made between 1913 and 1918, until Germany was prohibited from manufacturing or issuing it under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

The Luger had superb balance, a forward-angled grip for natural ‘pointability’ and, by the end of the War, the capacity for a 32-round magazine. The ‘9mm Luger’ cartridge was so powerful, the bullet carried for more than a mile unhindered, and it remains one of the world's most popular rounds.