vopo

yoeri · 04-04-2011, 03:11 PM

little question.

is it possible that the ddr border guards where ever equipped with the vopo luger as side arm?

Vlim · 04-04-2011, 03:23 PM

Yes. The guards themselves were initially armed only with the K98 rifle.

Ron Smith · 04-04-2011, 03:33 PM

I've also seen early photos of VoPo Border Guards armed with G-43s and MP-44s.

Vlim · 04-04-2011, 03:54 PM

Ron,

That is correct. Initially the allies agreed to refrain from providing German officials with side arms made in Germany. But that didn't work. France was running Mauser for their own inventory, the Russians had captured the gun companies in Suhl and the Americans really didn't care either. Serious rearming of the East-Germans started in the early 1950s when major reforms (read nationalization of companies) were taking place and the DDR was afraid that capital and material would be moved towards the West. Border security was increased, which introduced a need for equipment. Russian captured guns were the easiest option initially. This in turn spawned the rework programs in the DDR.

yoeri · 04-04-2011, 06:44 PM

so it's safe to assume that the ddr border patrol did use the vopo luger as side arm next to the G-43s and MP-44s?

are there any records about the vopo lugers and border patrol?

Vlim · 04-05-2011, 06:31 AM

As well as the P38. Since both shared a similar holster design it is difficult to determine on photographs and film footage if they were carrying one or the other.

A.Mifsin · 04-05-2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlim

Ron,

That is correct. Initially the allies agreed to refrain from providing German officials with side arms made in Germany. But that didn't work. France was running Mauser for their own inventory, the Russians had captured the gun companies in Suhl and the Americans really didn't care either. Serious rearming of the East-Germans started in the early 1950s when major reforms (read nationalization of companies) were taking place and the DDR was afraid that capital and material would be moved towards the West. Border security was increased, which introduced a need for equipment. Russian captured guns were the easiest option initially. This in turn spawned the rework programs in the DDR.

Vlim, You amaze me, thank you for the information.

Alf.

Schupo · 04-05-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlim

As well as the P38. Since both shared a similar holster design it is difficult to determine on photographs and film footage if they were carrying one or the other.

Vlim is quite right about the shared DDR soft holster for both the P.08 and the P.38 being difficult to determine what is being carried. Here is a photo of a Volkspolizei motorcyclist who is carrying a P.08 in a hardshell Luger holster.

Ron Smith · 04-05-2011, 11:37 AM

I found a couple of the photos that I was referring to. Note the Luger/P.38 holsters.

Vlim · 04-05-2011, 12:35 PM

Some examples of VoPo / DDR holsters:

saab-bob · 04-05-2011, 01:43 PM

Ron
Thanks for the great pics of the Vopo.
I didn't know the Vopo where armed with STG 44s.
My favorite WW2 rifle.
Bob

alanint · 04-05-2011, 05:43 PM

I have seen many photos over the years with DDR guards equipped with Stg 44's.

Perhaps the most famous photo of them all, the East German border guard jumping to freedom in the west has the guard carrying a PPsH41 submachinegun. I wonder if the DDR demanded its return??

04-04-2011, 03:11 PM	#1
yoeri New User Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	vopo little question. is it possible that the ddr border guards where ever equipped with the vopo luger as side arm?

04-04-2011, 03:33 PM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I've also seen early photos of VoPo Border Guards armed with G-43s and MP-44s. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-05-2011, 11:37 AM	#9
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I found a couple of the photos that I was referring to. Note the Luger/P.38 holsters. Attached Thumbnails Attached Images __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-05-2011, 12:35 PM	#10
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Some examples of VoPo / DDR holsters: Attached Thumbnails

04-05-2011, 01:43 PM	#11
saab-bob User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 459 Thanks: 774 Thanked 143 Times in 87 Posts	Ron Thanks for the great pics of the Vopo. I didn't know the Vopo where armed with STG 44s. My favorite WW2 rifle. Bob __________________ "I think,therefore I own guns"

04-04-2011, 03:23 PM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Yes. The guards themselves were initially armed only with the K98 rifle.

04-04-2011, 03:54 PM	#4
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Ron, That is correct. Initially the allies agreed to refrain from providing German officials with side arms made in Germany. But that didn't work. France was running Mauser for their own inventory, the Russians had captured the gun companies in Suhl and the Americans really didn't care either. Serious rearming of the East-Germans started in the early 1950s when major reforms (read nationalization of companies) were taking place and the DDR was afraid that capital and material would be moved towards the West. Border security was increased, which introduced a need for equipment. Russian captured guns were the easiest option initially. This in turn spawned the rework programs in the DDR.

04-04-2011, 06:44 PM	#5
yoeri New User Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	so it's safe to assume that the ddr border patrol did use the vopo luger as side arm next to the G-43s and MP-44s? are there any records about the vopo lugers and border patrol?

04-05-2011, 06:31 AM	#6
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	As well as the P38. Since both shared a similar holster design it is difficult to determine on photographs and film footage if they were carrying one or the other.

04-05-2011, 05:43 PM	#12
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I have seen many photos over the years with DDR guards equipped with Stg 44's. Perhaps the most famous photo of them all, the East German border guard jumping to freedom in the west has the guard carrying a PPsH41 submachinegun. I wonder if the DDR demanded its return??