Lugers in Thailand: The Siamese Artillery Luger

Published on April 13, 2024
Duration: 6:20

This video provides an in-depth look at a rare Siamese Artillery Luger, a variant produced by Mauser in 1936. It details the historical context of its production, its unique features like the 8-inch barrel and tangent sight, and its service with the Bangkok police. The video highlights the use of surplus WWI parts combined with new production components.

Quick Summary

The Siamese Artillery Luger, produced by Mauser in 1936, is a rare variant featuring an 8-inch barrel, detachable shoulder stock, and an 800-meter tangent sight. It utilized a combination of WWI surplus and new production parts and served with the Bangkok police into the 1970s.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Siamese Artillery Luger
  2. 00:13Late Production of Artillery Lugers
  3. 00:19Mauser's Role in Luger Production
  4. 00:31Simson and Versailles Treaty
  5. 00:44WWI Surplus Parts for Lugers
  6. 01:03Foreign Interest in Artillery Lugers
  7. 01:07Artillery Luger Features
  8. 01:22Persian, Turkish, and Siamese Contracts
  9. 01:27Bangkok Police Contract
  10. 01:44Police Use of Artillery Lugers
  11. 02:18Gun Construction: Surplus vs. New Parts
  12. 02:39Siamese Contract Markings: Date and Logo
  13. 02:52Serial Number Range
  14. 03:06Regular P08 Serial Numbers
  15. 03:14Importer Mark: Odin
  16. 03:18Caliber and Country of Origin
  17. 03:30Siamese Contract Markings: Lion Head
  18. 03:41Thai Rack Number
  19. 03:48Rack Number Application Timeline
  20. 04:07Stock Markings and Features
  21. 04:10WWI Production Stock
  22. 04:13Matching Serial Numbers on Stock
  23. 04:16Absence of Leather Holster Attachment
  24. 04:33Surplus Stocks and Thai Preferences
  25. 04:44Thai Sticker on Stock
  26. 05:03Service Life in Bangkok Police
  27. 05:08Siam to Thailand Transition
  28. 05:14Sale as Surplus
  29. 05:23US Importers: Odin
  30. 05:30Mismatched Parts Issue
  31. 05:45Intact and Matching Example
  32. 05:52Conclusion: Unusual Mauser Luger
  33. 06:02Thanks and Farewell

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Siamese Artillery Luger distinct from other Luger models?

The Siamese Artillery Luger is distinguished by its extended 8-inch barrel, a detachable shoulder stock for improved accuracy, and a tangent sight calibrated up to 800 meters. These features were intended for specialized roles, differentiating it from standard service pistols.

When and by whom were the Siamese Artillery Lugers produced?

These specific Lugers were manufactured by Mauser in 1936. They incorporated a mix of World War I surplus parts for components like the barrel and stock, combined with newly produced slides and frames.

What was the intended use and service history of the Siamese Artillery Luger?

The Siamese Artillery Lugers were ordered by the Bangkok police for their unique capabilities. They remained in service into the 1970s, even after Siam became Thailand, before being sold as surplus.

What are the key markings to identify a Siamese contract Luger?

Key identifiers include the year '1936' on the firearm, the Mauser powder barrel logo on the toggles, and a distinctive lion's head emblem within a circle on the rear of the frame, signifying its connection to the Bangkok police.

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