“Pistols of the Warlords” is available and shopping now from Headstamp Publishing:
https://www.headstamppublishing.com/chinese-pistols
For European orders, it is available from Varusteleka:
https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/ian-mccollum-pistols-of-the-warlords-chinese-domestic-handguns-1911-1949/72940
And, of course, Wauser shirts! https://shop.forgottenweapons.com/collections/apparel/products/wauser-t-shirt
My favorite pattern of domestic Chinese pistol form he Warlord Era is the one I have termed the “Luger Grip Type”. The Luger was not a very common pistol in this period in China, and it is rare to see elements of it copied on Chinese designs. This pattern, however, very specifically uses the grip angle and style of the Luger, as well as its front sight. This particular one even has Luger-type wooden toggle magazine floor plates. This is also a very cool example because it includes two magazines and an original holster.
Mechanically, the Luger Grip Types are simple blowback, chambered for the 7.63mm Mauser cartridge. The design of the slide, hammer, and rear sight are largely based on the C96 Mauser. As a class, they are generally well made pistols, with rear sights that are actually separate parts and movable, although generally without actual locking notches in the rear sight bar. This example has a pseudo-date type of serial number, and a manual safety that simply doesn’t work.
Contact:
Forgotten Weapons
6281 N. Oracle 36270
Tucson, AZ 85740
At Forgotten Weapons I think the most interesting guns out there are the most obscure ones. I try to search out experimental and prototype weapons and show you how they work, in addition to more conventional guns that you may not have heard of before. You’re much more likely to find a video on the Cei Rigotti or Webley-Fosbery here than an AR or Glock. So, do you want to learn about something new today? Then stick around!
