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"Luger: The</u> Multinational Pistol", Charles Kenyon Jr.
©1991, Richard Ellis Publications, 185 pages, o.o.p.
"Luger: The</u> Multinational Pistol" ("LtMP") is the second book by the author of the indispensible "Lugers at Random" and the monthly column of the same name in "Gun Report" magazine. The introduction notes that the book is filled with excerpts from the author's yet-to-be-published magnum opus series on the Luger Pistol. It is a large-format book (81/2 x 11 inches), beautifully printed on heavy, polished paper stock.
"LtMP" is not an encyclopedic reference like the Author's first book. Rather, it is a color catalog of both basic Luger types and interesting, noteworthy, or unique Luger pistols. Having neither table of contents nor index, it is meant for perusal rather than reference.
The book's format is similar to the "Lugers at Random": a page of description with some detail, with a large photograph on the facing page. It is here that the book is different from most of the other Luger books available. The compositions are still-life impeccable; the photos are professionally lit and shot with a large-format camera, and gorgeously printed; and the guns illustrated are in almost impossibly pristine condition. These are the 99%-plus Lugers we all dream about acquiring, and the book serves as inspiration to search out better examples in one's own collecting.
Rather than an historical narrative, "LtMP" explores the subject by example from the breadth of the Luger's geopolitical reach over its production life. Kenyon recognizes 20 countries of use over five continents and provides examples of quite a few. Most are illustrated in color although some are in b&w, obviously not available for the full treatment. The brief text presents interesting details about all these guns, but the real story is in the photographs.
The book is heavy on early Lugers, unique examples, and Swiss Lugers. Post-Weimar Mausers are included by example, Krieghoff and Simson are given pretty short shrift. One of its delights is the opportunity to examine variations almost never seen, Lugers so rarified or unique that their subject never comes up in the course of discussion. Occasionally, I'm sure, the examples are controversial. There are 98 different examples pictured, a short sampling includes:
Model 1900 7-inch barrel Commercial;
two 1906 7-shot short grip, one with a Bulgarian chamber crest;
Model 1900 Mexican Test;
Model 1902 Danzig Test;
1914 Commercial RG marked;
1906 Russian;
1906 French Commercial "Fleur de Lis" (the 'halo' around the chamber stamp shows clearly in the photograph);
1906 Vickers (with uncharacteristic fine checker, Mauser-profile grip plates);
undated Test version of the LP-08;
Swedish Air Force P-14...
I could continue, but ultimately I'd just be recreating the book here. The examples above are salted in among the almost prosaic seeming, by comparison, 1900 Commercials, Eagles, presentation guns, Cartridge Counters, Carbines, 1906s of varying descriptions, Navys, LP-08s, Persians, 1908s and 14s, Long-barrel Weimar and other specialty commercials, the list of amazing guns goes on and on...
...but the photos of the guns themselves are not the most astonishing thing about the book. Now, in the opening years of the 21st Century, the broader Luger collecting community seems to have discovered accessories. The demand, the consciousness, the cost of holsters and other accoutrements seems to be on people's minds.
"LtMP" is in the avant garde of this. The photos are not just of guns: upscreen I meant literally, still-life compositions. These include holsters, ammunition, tools, cases, manuals, Navy and Artillery rigs, magazine pouches, all picture with their appropriate weapons. And there are equally unique items pictured: an original test LP-08 with its original hollow (C-96 style) stock/holster and leather sheath; an original holster for the aforementioned 7" 1900 Commercial; original factory boxes for mid-20s commercials; Ideal stock/holster; a Benke-Thiemann folding stock with its original special holster...the list goes on here, too. Each gun in color is gloriously accoutred.
If you were to get the idea that I find this book exciting you would not be wrong. As I read this I turned page after page with open-mouthed delight. If I was going to take a book to someone and say to them "Look, here is what all the fuss is about," this would be the one.
With his two books (currently) about Lugers Kenyon has provided a complete meal. If "Lugers at Random" is the meat-and-potatos of the Luger reference library, "Luger: The</u> Multinational Pistol" is unquestionably the dessert.
--Dwight
©1991, Richard Ellis Publications, 185 pages, o.o.p.
"Luger: The</u> Multinational Pistol" ("LtMP") is the second book by the author of the indispensible "Lugers at Random" and the monthly column of the same name in "Gun Report" magazine. The introduction notes that the book is filled with excerpts from the author's yet-to-be-published magnum opus series on the Luger Pistol. It is a large-format book (81/2 x 11 inches), beautifully printed on heavy, polished paper stock.
"LtMP" is not an encyclopedic reference like the Author's first book. Rather, it is a color catalog of both basic Luger types and interesting, noteworthy, or unique Luger pistols. Having neither table of contents nor index, it is meant for perusal rather than reference.
The book's format is similar to the "Lugers at Random": a page of description with some detail, with a large photograph on the facing page. It is here that the book is different from most of the other Luger books available. The compositions are still-life impeccable; the photos are professionally lit and shot with a large-format camera, and gorgeously printed; and the guns illustrated are in almost impossibly pristine condition. These are the 99%-plus Lugers we all dream about acquiring, and the book serves as inspiration to search out better examples in one's own collecting.
Rather than an historical narrative, "LtMP" explores the subject by example from the breadth of the Luger's geopolitical reach over its production life. Kenyon recognizes 20 countries of use over five continents and provides examples of quite a few. Most are illustrated in color although some are in b&w, obviously not available for the full treatment. The brief text presents interesting details about all these guns, but the real story is in the photographs.
The book is heavy on early Lugers, unique examples, and Swiss Lugers. Post-Weimar Mausers are included by example, Krieghoff and Simson are given pretty short shrift. One of its delights is the opportunity to examine variations almost never seen, Lugers so rarified or unique that their subject never comes up in the course of discussion. Occasionally, I'm sure, the examples are controversial. There are 98 different examples pictured, a short sampling includes:
Model 1900 7-inch barrel Commercial;
two 1906 7-shot short grip, one with a Bulgarian chamber crest;
Model 1900 Mexican Test;
Model 1902 Danzig Test;
1914 Commercial RG marked;
1906 Russian;
1906 French Commercial "Fleur de Lis" (the 'halo' around the chamber stamp shows clearly in the photograph);
1906 Vickers (with uncharacteristic fine checker, Mauser-profile grip plates);
undated Test version of the LP-08;
Swedish Air Force P-14...
I could continue, but ultimately I'd just be recreating the book here. The examples above are salted in among the almost prosaic seeming, by comparison, 1900 Commercials, Eagles, presentation guns, Cartridge Counters, Carbines, 1906s of varying descriptions, Navys, LP-08s, Persians, 1908s and 14s, Long-barrel Weimar and other specialty commercials, the list of amazing guns goes on and on...
...but the photos of the guns themselves are not the most astonishing thing about the book. Now, in the opening years of the 21st Century, the broader Luger collecting community seems to have discovered accessories. The demand, the consciousness, the cost of holsters and other accoutrements seems to be on people's minds.
"LtMP" is in the avant garde of this. The photos are not just of guns: upscreen I meant literally, still-life compositions. These include holsters, ammunition, tools, cases, manuals, Navy and Artillery rigs, magazine pouches, all picture with their appropriate weapons. And there are equally unique items pictured: an original test LP-08 with its original hollow (C-96 style) stock/holster and leather sheath; an original holster for the aforementioned 7" 1900 Commercial; original factory boxes for mid-20s commercials; Ideal stock/holster; a Benke-Thiemann folding stock with its original special holster...the list goes on here, too. Each gun in color is gloriously accoutred.
If you were to get the idea that I find this book exciting you would not be wrong. As I read this I turned page after page with open-mouthed delight. If I was going to take a book to someone and say to them "Look, here is what all the fuss is about," this would be the one.
With his two books (currently) about Lugers Kenyon has provided a complete meal. If "Lugers at Random" is the meat-and-potatos of the Luger reference library, "Luger: The</u> Multinational Pistol" is unquestionably the dessert.
--Dwight
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