4 WWI-Era Guns That Still Stand Up

By

World War I (WWI) changed the world in countless ways. It also fundamentally changed warfare and how wars were fought. WWI was the first major war in which reliable, high-quality semi-automatic handguns were widely employed by all of the major belligerents. In fact, the early 20th-century proved to be something of a golden age of quality and innovation for the semi-automatic pistol. The following is a selection of just a few of the classic, high-quality guns from WWI that any firearms enthusiast should make it a priority to look for. 

Guns

Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless

An iconic sidearm issued to a significant number of generals and other high-ranking U.S. officers, the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless chambered in 32 ACP is a beautiful, elegant, and still-reliable pistol. This triumph of sleek, rounded (non-snagging) art deco craftsmanship was the product of none other than John Moses Browning and popular with notables from General George Patton, to Humphrey Bogart and John Dillinger. It will feel right at home to fans of the Colt 1911 platform, as the Colt 1903 previews many of the features of the M1911.

 Colt 1911

No list of classic WWI-era handguns would be complete without the inclusion of the M1911 pistol or Colt 1911. Chambered for the robust 45 ACP cartridge, the Colt 1911 is perhaps the only firearm that has remained in consistent military and law enforcement use for well over 100 years. It is also likely the most-copied firearm, certainly handgun, platform in history.

Mauser C96

The classic “Broomhandle” Mauser C96 was officially a sidearm for the Central Powers in WWI, particularly Germany and Austria-Hungary. However, their accuracy, reliability, and comparatively high-capacity made them popular enough with the British before the war that many British officers carried them into battle. The fact that they were chambered for the high-velocity 762x25mm Mauser cartridge did not hurt either. In addition to their graceful charm and exceptional quality, WWI handguns like the Colt 1903 and the Mauser C96 can also prove a great investment. Vintage and antique firearms in good condition are widely considered an investment. Gun values for collectible firearms have often proved unlikely to depreciate and often appreciate.

Nagant M1895 Revolver

Of course, it would not do to leave out an inclusion for the wheelgun crowd. Though it was of Belgian origin, the Nagant was primarily used by the Russian Empire in WWI. In addition to firing the odd proprietary 762x38mmR cartridge, the 7-shot Nagant M1895 is unique in another way. When the hammer is cocked back, the cylinder moves forward, creating a spaceless “gas-seal” between the cylinder and the barrel. That seal not only increases muzzle velocity, it also lends the Nagant the distinction of being one of the only revolvers ever produced that can be effectively suppressed.

 About GunBroker.com

 The GunBroker.com experience is simply a must for gun enthusiasts interested in buying, selling, or just browsing thousands of firearms and virtually anything firearms-related. GunBroker.com was founded by gun enthusiasts as a platform for anyone with a passion for firearms. GunBroker.com is a platform that gun enthusiasts can use as a marketplace for buying and selling both new and used guns, parts, ammunition, hunting gear, collectibles, accessories, and so much more. It has grown into one of the largest, most prominent firearms marketplaces. The GunBroker.com team remains proud to provide fellow enthusiasts with a transparent, secure, and safe online platform to buy, browse, and sell guns while promoting and supporting responsible gun ownership, use, and commerce. That strict support of the policies and regulations that promote responsible gun sales is aided by the informative tools available to buyers and sellers both. Among those tools are an FFL-lookup function and buyer’s protection. Whether you are looking for a Glock 35, a Sig 226, or virtually anything else, GunBroker.com is the place to find it.

 Find out why GunBroker.com is a paradise for every gun-enthusiast that loves to buy, sell, or just browse among pretty much everything gun-based and gun-related at Gunbroker.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

4 Pieces of Gear You Want for the Range

By
Image
When you are headed to the range, there are some pieces of tactical gear you will want to bring with you. They will all help with convenience, allowing you to carry more or keep your firearms close at hand. When you are doing quick transition drills at the range, you will not want to have to toss your DPMS AR 15 in the dirt so that you can draw your Glock from the table. Here is everything you should bring to your next range outing.  A Holster for Your Handgun If you are still keeping all of your guns on a table at the range, you are losing time. You want to keep your guns close to you. For pistols, that means a holster. There are plenty of different types of holsters, from shoulder holsters like in Miami Vice to leg drop holsters used by Han Solo. The most common are belt holsters, whether inside the waistband or outside. Depending on the type of holster, you might need to get one specifically meant for your gun. This means you might not be able to use the same holster f
Read more

Holiday Gift Guide: 6 Distinctive and Worthwhile Guns for That Special Gun Enthusiast

By
Image
It’s the rare fan of firearms who doesn’t appreciate having at least one conversation piece in their collection. That can be a family heirloom, a homemade build, or a favorite shooter. However, a home-run option for a gun people will talk about is gifting your favorite gun enthusiast a high-quality but distinctive firearm. That could be an antique or vintage model, like a Dreyse M1907, or something new and unique, like the Kel Tec KSG . Give them something to talk about with one of the following distinctive gun gifts. 50 Beowulf Dreyse M1907 The Dreyse is a unique and certainly distinctive looking early automatic. Superficially, it looks quite a bit like the first ever mass-produced automatic, the FN 1900, and shares its chambering—32 ACP. However, the Dreyse features several distinct internal differences. Because this antique firearm tends to be overshadowed by the famous FN 1900, you can often find them relatively inexpensively. Despite their usually modest price, they have a reput
Read more

How to Fly with Your Firearms

By
Image
Whether you are going hunting with your Beretta A300 Outlander or taking a highly specialized AR 15 to an out-of-state competition, flying with a firearm might seem complex if you have never done it before. However, there are ways you can streamline the process to make it as simple as possible. This means you will not have to arrive at the airport too much earlier than you would for a typical flight. Here are five tips you should know about packing and declaring your firearm for your next flight. Use the Right Kind of Lock First, you will need the right kind of lock. Do not use any standard, TSA-approved lock to keep your firearms safe. Instead, use a heavy-duty lock on your case. Always keep a key on your person, but do not bring extra copies in your checked luggage. Otherwise, if you use a TSA-approved lock or have copies of the key, it is entirely possible that your gun case could be empty when you grab it off the carousel at your destination. What to Do with Ammo Most often, a
Read more