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Title:	PISTOL, SEMI-AUTOMATIC -  GERMAN PISTOL LANGENHAM ARMY MODEL 7.65MM SN# 43129
Maker/Manufacturer:	LANGENHAN, FRITZ
Date of Manufacture:
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 1981
Measurements:	OL: 16.5CM 6 1/2" BL: 10.1CM 4" 1.7 lbs. unloaded.

Object Description:

GERMAN PISTOL LANGENHAN ARMY MODEL 7.65MM SN# 43129
Manufactured by Fritz Langenhan, Suhl, Germany - Standard blowback-operated, hammer fired, semi-automatic pistol. 8-round detachable box magazine. Fixed blade front sight, fixed V-notch rear sight. Blue finish with molded rubber grips. 4-groove rifling, right hand twist. Muzzle velocity 925 fps. Weapon weighs approximately 1.7 lbs. unloaded. Complete with 8-round detachable box magazine feed. AKA: Heeres-Modell. Label at one time taped to barrel. Label is gone but tape remains. Finish is worn.

Markings:
Frame (right): F.L. SELBSTLADER/D.R.G.M. 625263-683251. Acceptance marks. Military stamp on left side - WWI acceptance mark. 43129 behind triggerguard.
Grips: FL monogram

Weapon found in one of "29 Boxes of Miscellaneous Foreign Weapons as received from New York Port of Embarkation on 6 March 1946, per SA OOO.4/17 and 28. Note: Itemized list showing quantities and descriptions of individual weapons to be attached and made part of this voucher promptly upon completion of checking in of weapons in Experimental-Laboratory, Building No. 28. Weapon to be retained in Experimental-Laboratory for an indefinite period for examination and study per Mr. P.W. Oliver, 11 March 1946, after which they will be regreased and boxed suitable for storage and place with other Museum Material in Building #19 pending reopening of the Armory Museum."

Notes: Substitute standard during WWI.

"Friedrich Langenhan established his 'Gewehr-und Fahrradfabrik' in Zella St. Blasii in 1842, making sporting guns and bicycles until the outbreak of the First World War. Development of an automatic pistol began in 1914, a patent application was made in 1915, and an army order was swiftly negotiated. About 55,000 pistols were made for military service, none was ever sold commercially" - Hogg & Weeks

"Originally designed as a commercial weapon, this pistol was adopted by the German Army during World War I as a substitute standard weapon and the entire production went into military service. It is a blowback weapon, accurate and handy to use but of peculiar construction. The breechblock is a separate unit held in the slide by a stirrup-lock which forms the rear sight, and which in itself retained by a large screw at the rear of the block. The frame is cut away on the right side so that the breechblock is only supported on the left. Provided that the mating surfaces are unworn, and the lock screw is secure, the pistol works well, but once wear takes place the lockscrew and stirrup tend to loosen during firing and there is a considerable danger that, after twenty or thirty rounds, the breechblock might be blown into the firer's face." - Hogg & Weeks

"A blowback-operated semiautomatic pistol chambered for the 7.65mm Auto Pistol cartridge. It has a 4" barrel and a detachable magazine that holds 8 rounds. The pistol was made with a separate breechblock that is held into the slide by a screw. This feature doomed this pistol to eventual failure as when this crew became worn, it could loosen when firing and allow the breechblock to pivot upwards - and the slide would then be propelled rearward and into the face of the shoulder. This is not a comforting thought. This pistol was produced and used in WWI only and was never offered commercially. It is marked 'F.L. Selbstlade DRGM.' The finish is blued, and the grips are molded rubber, with 'F.L' at the top." - Schwing

"This individualistic blowback pistol was designed in 1913, though production did not begin until the First World War had started. The slide and breechblock were connected by a pivoting yoke. If the yoke-retaining screw loosened during firing, the breechblock could be blasted backward out of the gun on the next shot." - Zhuk

References:
Hogg, Ian & John Weeks. PISTOLS OF THE WORLD. 3rd Ed. DBI Books, Inc. Northbrook, Il. 1992.
Hogg, Ian V. John S. Weeks. MILITARY SMALL ARMS OF THE 20TH CENTURY. 7th Ed. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 2000.
Hogg, Ian. GERMAN HANDGUNS: THE COMPLETE BOOK OF THE PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS OF GERMANY, 1869Schwing, Ned. 2000 STANDARD CATALOG OF FIREARMS. Krause Publications. Iola, WI. 2000.
Zhuk, A.B. THE ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HANDGUNS: PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS OF THE WORLD, 1870 TO THE PRESENT. Greenhill Books. London, England. 1995.