UBB.threads Forums General Militaria Historic and Period Firearms Forum Luger magazine

Does anyone know exactly how many different types of 32 round "Luger snail drum magazine's" were produced?

As most of you already know they were originally designed for the Luger 9mm "Artillery model" pistol and later used on the Bergmann MP18/I 9mm submachinegun.

I've heard of the type 1 "smooth base" and type 2 "ribbed base". I know I've seen another type. Could be type 3, which has a different lever mechanism. There all rare, but the rarest of them all is the type 1? From what I've learned anyway. Correct me if I've got that all wrong.

About how many of these were made? I heard 80,000, but most were destroyed or lost during the war and ordered destroyed after the war, so who knows for sure how many survived.
Wish I had the special loading tool for one of these. Thanks

Mint condition Ribbed base type 2. Anyone have some others to share. Here's one of mine. Thanks.

Marks

Funny,you pictured one of the Japanses replica models produced in the late 1960s. Some years ago an excellent treatise on the Trommelmagazin was written and published in AutoMag by one of its members, discussing model variations, manufacturers and production figures.

Hi Funny? Anyway, appreciate your help. Had my suspicion due to the marks. But had no idea, their are reproductions. When some, lose some. Still curious about my questions. Thanks again.

The 32 round Drum Magazines were wound to compress the internal drive spring by means of a lever on the top of the drum. Early models used an extension lever held within a metal sheath anchored to the axis pin. This was a cumbersome arrangement and was corrected by the spring release curved handle used in your replica. In both it was essential to lock the lever stud into the slot on the top of the drum face. A slip of the hand could loose or break some fingers. Production variations saw various stampings of the top and bottom face of the drum. The most common maker was the Bing Brothers. Use with the MP18/I required an adapted sleeve. The drums were issued with a dust cap and a loader per three drums I believe. Without the loader, one can still charge the magazine with about six or seven rounds.

Simpson Guns has a loader for sale.

can't get good pic of my type 2 snall drum. but, the clip channel does not have an opening like yours. has a six digit serial number, initial B over N. thinks thats for Bing, primary maker at the time. there is a snail drum for sale on Gunsamerica.com for just under $1400. pics is poor so don't know if original or re=pro, but the price is good.........

130,000 had been made and were destroyed under control of the Armistice Commission to abide the Treaty of Versailles.
Some could be kept for Police use with the MP18.1

Some pictures, click on the thumbnails.