Snail Drum Question

LugerRuger · 01-07-2013, 01:48 AM

I am new to the world of Lugers. I've always admired them, but only recently entered the world of owning one. This summer I inherited a bring back P08 from my wifes Grandfather. Matching serial numbers 1942 #173 (the cruel joke is that the magazine is numbered #37). I only have a cursory knowledge of the history of these magnificent firearms, but I am curious about snail drums.

The pistol itself has little wear, but I won't pretend to know how to grade it's condition. It also came with a 32 round snail drum which I think would be graded as very good condition by any measure. From what I have read, most snail drums were issued to artillery, and from what I gather, typically were accompanied by Lugers with 7" barrels, which mine does not have. My assumption is that the drum and the pistol were not issued together, and since Grandpa is deceased, I will never know exactly how how he acquired the two pieces.

I am curious if anyone is aware of snail drums being issued along with standard barrel P08s.

Any input is appreciated.

alanint · 01-07-2013, 08:56 AM

Welcome to the Forum!

Snail drum were never issued with the standard 4" barreled pistol. There are thousands of reasons why one acquires things, but the most likely reason your wife's Grandfather picked up the drum magazine is because he was interested in it. They work in any Luger and it would be fun to have a drum on a pistol at the range or while plinking.

CJS57 · 01-07-2013, 09:03 AM

Not issued but likely used with 4" Luger on the front lines. With millions of German troops at war, it would make statistical sense the at least one German Soldier grabbed a 32 round drum magazine and used it in a 4" Luger during the heat of combat. Issued no. But If you use the drum in your Luger you are just doing what others have done before you during the war.

DavidJayUden · 01-07-2013, 09:18 AM

However with the magazine being roughly equal in value to the gun, caution is advised in using it at the range. A more cautious approach would be to treat it as a collectable, not a shooting mag. It is a WW1 item, valuable and some springs are probably fragile.
dju

LugerRuger · 01-07-2013, 09:57 PM

Thanks for the repiles. I have no intention of using the magazine at the range, but am happy to have it.

alanint · 01-07-2013, 10:43 PM

Just to clarify. I was not suggesting that Jay use his magazine at the range. I was suggesting that may have been a reason his wife's Grandfather acquired it.

Kitkat041836 · 01-08-2013, 12:35 AM

Just thought you might like to know that in order to load your
Snail drum to it's full 32rd you will need a loader and the real
ones are as much as the snail drums.
Thanks,George

LugerRuger · 01-08-2013, 09:49 PM

I've looked into the reloading tools, pretty spendy. Maybe someday....

CJS57 · 01-09-2013, 08:16 AM

I could get 18 rounds into mine by hand, no tool, when I used to shoot it. Great fun!

Kitkat041836 · 01-09-2013, 12:15 PM

18 rounds is about all I have ever heard of any one ever being able to get into one without a
loader.
Thanks,George

CAP Black · 03-18-2013, 06:25 PM

I am listening. How do you get them in starting out from scratch? I just got a snail drum today. I have one loaded so far. I have a Bing, # 201530 and have no idea of how to proceed.
thanks
Jack

Vlim · 03-18-2013, 06:33 PM

You have to take off the tension of the spring first, then it is relatively easy to start adding rounds, to about 18 as mentioned before:

Extend the lever, then turn the lever towards the opening in the lid, where the button can be lowered, so that the lever can be held in place. The internal (leaf) spring is now tensioned, taking off the tension on the second spring. Also press in the small follower button while loading it.

LU1900 · 03-18-2013, 08:04 PM

Some repro loader could be use without lot of money
http://egun.de/market/item.php?id=42...c1e576e816b35c

ithacaartist · 03-18-2013, 08:18 PM

Patrice, 99.00eur is an excellent price, even for a reproduction. Least expensive I've encountered these days approaches $600 at fixed price listings. If one chose to purchase and resell, conceivably one could profit somewhat by doing so. Miene Deutshh ist nicht gut genug, otherwise I'd try. I still have the remaining balance on an open export permit from Germany, and could put it to use...

CAP Black · 03-18-2013, 10:20 PM

Item # 1. I understand the picture and the currency amount but I don't understand the words. David, are you saying you could import the item?

Item # 2. I am getting too much resistance in cranking the handle around to that position. I am not a weakling but it just gets to taunt to go around until it will catch in the slot. Am I already wound too tightly?
thanks
Jack

CAP Black · 03-18-2013, 10:28 PM

Is it safe to open this machine with the amount of tension I feel or am I about to have some springs flying at me if I open her up?
thanks
Jack

lugerholsterrepair · 03-19-2013, 11:09 AM

Jack, You better talk to George Fortier (Kitkatt) He has opened more drums than anyone else I know of.

ithacaartist · 03-19-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAP Black

Item # 1. I understand the picture and the currency amount but I don't understand the words. David, are you saying you could import the item?

Jack,

Last spring/summer I bought some Erma parts from a seller in Germany. Since the seller does not export to the USA, I enlisted the assistance of the forum, and Gerben rose to the occasion by giving me contact info for Gerd Schoen, a retired Mauser exec., who purchased the parts and sent them to me. (This reminds me, I am remiss, and must correspond with Gerd.) Anyway, sending gun parts from Germany requires an export permit, the cost of which is determined by the value of what is sent. The permit Gerd obtained has some remaining power to allow another several hundred dollars' worth of stuff to be sent. It will expire at some point, I think a few months from now, and I'd have to contaact the most gracious Herr Schoen about it; but if someone in the states bought a loader in Germany, I think it could be sent. Details about how to do it would have to be worked out. Etc., etc...

lugerholsterrepair · 03-19-2013, 05:59 PM

David, A very gracious offer! However how could you call a loader a gun part? There is nothing about it that would be restricted in any way that I can think of?

By the way..there is a fellow in France that sells very nice reproduction loaders on Ebay and he seems to have no trouble shipping them to the US?

MikeP · 03-19-2013, 11:17 PM

Nothing will fly out if you open it.
There is a humongus flat coiled spring that is safely welded inside a cup with only a shaft protuding.
Break that 100 year old spring and you have a paperweight.

Where you can get hurt is the lever coming off one of the little studs and slashing up yor hand or fingers.
Drums were viewed with suspicion by those who used them for real.

01-08-2013, 12:35 AM	#7
Kitkat041836 RIP Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 195 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	Snail Drum Just thought you might like to know that in order to load your Snail drum to it's full 32rd you will need a loader and the real ones are as much as the snail drums. Thanks,George

03-18-2013, 08:04 PM	#13
LU1900 User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: FRANCE Posts: 908 Thanks: 42 Thanked 469 Times in 197 Posts	Some repro loader could be use without lot of money http://egun.de/market/item.php?id=42...c1e576e816b35c __________________ Best regards from France...Patrice https://www.fichier-pdf.fr/2016/03/1...nd-snail-drum/

03-18-2013, 08:18 PM	#14
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,347 Thanks: 7,285 Thanked 2,579 Times in 1,366 Posts	Patrice, 99.00eur is an excellent price, even for a reproduction. Least expensive I've encountered these days approaches $600 at fixed price listings. If one chose to purchase and resell, conceivably one could profit somewhat by doing so. Miene Deutshh ist nicht gut genug, otherwise I'd try. I still have the remaining balance on an open export permit from Germany, and could put it to use... __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

03-19-2013, 05:59 PM	#19
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	David, A very gracious offer! However how could you call a loader a gun part? There is nothing about it that would be restricted in any way that I can think of? By the way..there is a fellow in France that sells very nice reproduction loaders on Ebay and he seems to have no trouble shipping them to the US? __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

01-07-2013, 01:48 AM	#1
LugerRuger New User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Snail Drum Question I am new to the world of Lugers. I've always admired them, but only recently entered the world of owning one. This summer I inherited a bring back P08 from my wifes Grandfather. Matching serial numbers 1942 #173 (the cruel joke is that the magazine is numbered #37). I only have a cursory knowledge of the history of these magnificent firearms, but I am curious about snail drums. The pistol itself has little wear, but I won't pretend to know how to grade it's condition. It also came with a 32 round snail drum which I think would be graded as very good condition by any measure. From what I have read, most snail drums were issued to artillery, and from what I gather, typically were accompanied by Lugers with 7" barrels, which mine does not have. My assumption is that the drum and the pistol were not issued together, and since Grandpa is deceased, I will never know exactly how how he acquired the two pieces. I am curious if anyone is aware of snail drums being issued along with standard barrel P08s. Any input is appreciated.

01-07-2013, 08:56 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Welcome to the Forum! Snail drum were never issued with the standard 4" barreled pistol. There are thousands of reasons why one acquires things, but the most likely reason your wife's Grandfather picked up the drum magazine is because he was interested in it. They work in any Luger and it would be fun to have a drum on a pistol at the range or while plinking.

01-07-2013, 09:03 AM	#3
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	Not issued but likely used with 4" Luger on the front lines. With millions of German troops at war, it would make statistical sense the at least one German Soldier grabbed a 32 round drum magazine and used it in a 4" Luger during the heat of combat. Issued no. But If you use the drum in your Luger you are just doing what others have done before you during the war. Last edited by CJS57; 01-07-2013 at 07:01 PM.

01-07-2013, 09:18 AM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	However with the magazine being roughly equal in value to the gun, caution is advised in using it at the range. A more cautious approach would be to treat it as a collectable, not a shooting mag. It is a WW1 item, valuable and some springs are probably fragile. dju

01-07-2013, 09:57 PM	#5
LugerRuger New User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the repiles. I have no intention of using the magazine at the range, but am happy to have it.

01-07-2013, 10:43 PM	#6
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Just to clarify. I was not suggesting that Jay use his magazine at the range. I was suggesting that may have been a reason his wife's Grandfather acquired it.

01-08-2013, 09:49 PM	#8
LugerRuger New User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've looked into the reloading tools, pretty spendy. Maybe someday....

01-09-2013, 08:16 AM	#9
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	I could get 18 rounds into mine by hand, no tool, when I used to shoot it. Great fun!

01-09-2013, 12:15 PM	#10
Kitkat041836 RIP Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 195 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	18 rounds is about all I have ever heard of any one ever being able to get into one without a loader. Thanks,George

03-18-2013, 06:25 PM	#11
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 168 Times in 96 Posts	I am listening. How do you get them in starting out from scratch? I just got a snail drum today. I have one loaded so far. I have a Bing, # 201530 and have no idea of how to proceed. thanks Jack

03-18-2013, 06:33 PM	#12
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	You have to take off the tension of the spring first, then it is relatively easy to start adding rounds, to about 18 as mentioned before: Extend the lever, then turn the lever towards the opening in the lid, where the button can be lowered, so that the lever can be held in place. The internal (leaf) spring is now tensioned, taking off the tension on the second spring. Also press in the small follower button while loading it.

03-18-2013, 10:20 PM	#15
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 168 Times in 96 Posts	Item # 1. I understand the picture and the currency amount but I don't understand the words. David, are you saying you could import the item? Item # 2. I am getting too much resistance in cranking the handle around to that position. I am not a weakling but it just gets to taunt to go around until it will catch in the slot. Am I already wound too tightly? thanks Jack

03-18-2013, 10:28 PM	#16
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 168 Times in 96 Posts	Is it safe to open this machine with the amount of tension I feel or am I about to have some springs flying at me if I open her up? thanks Jack

03-19-2013, 11:09 AM	#17
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Jack, You better talk to George Fortier (Kitkatt) He has opened more drums than anyone else I know of. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-19-2013, 11:17 PM	#20
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Nothing will fly out if you open it. There is a humongus flat coiled spring that is safely welded inside a cup with only a shaft protuding. Break that 100 year old spring and you have a paperweight. Where you can get hurt is the lever coming off one of the little studs and slashing up yor hand or fingers. Drums were viewed with suspicion by those who used them for real.