- Service pistol
-
A Soviet officer, armed with a Tokarev TT-33 service pistol, urges Soviet troops forward against German positions during World War II
A service pistol is any handgun issued to military personnel.
Typically service pistols are revolvers or semi-automatic pistols issued to officers, non-commissioned officers and rear-echelon support personnel for self defense, though service pistols may also be issued to special forces as a backup for their primary weapons. Pistols are not typically issued to front-line infantry.
Before firearms were commonplace, officers typically carried swords instead.
History
Prior to the introduction of cartridge-loading firearms, there was little standardisation with regards to the handguns carried by military personnel, although it had been important for officers, artillerymen, and other auxiliary troops to have a means of defending themselves, especially as it was not always practical for them to have a full-length rifle or carbine.
Traditionally, soldiers (infantry and cavalry alike) and officers had carried swords for both personal protection and use in combat. The development of firearms in the mid-14th century changed the way battles were fought, and by the late-15th century it was no longer especially practical to close to hand-to-hand combat range to engage one's opponents, owing to the prevalence of pikes and musket-fire (pike and shot) on the battlefield.
Training was also a factor—it took a very long time to train new recruits in the use of longbows and swords—whereas the basic operation of an arquebus could be taught in a comparatively short time. As a result, swords were retained only by officers (who were less likely to be at the front of the pike-and-musket hedge) and by cavalry, for whom early single-shot handguns were of limited use.
The invention of the revolver in 1836 finally made a service pistol practical, as prior to this pistols had largely been single-shot weapons usually of no particular standardized pattern.
Although officers traditionally had been obligated to buy their own weapons, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and other enlisted personnel were generally issued their weapons (which they were then expected to either pay for or return to the quartermaster if they were promoted). Service pistols, on the other hand, were generally issued to officers, NCO, and others who needed to carry personal weapons as part of their duties. Hence, it was quite common for officers to carry government-issued service pistols in combat.
The first service handguns were revolvers, but the development of Semi-automatic pistols (the first practical example being the Mauser C96 "Broomhandle") gradually led to their replacement by Semi-automatic handguns, such as the well-known German P08 Luger, the first Semi-automatic service pistol to be widely adopted by an industrialised nation. Nowadays, service pistols are almost exclusively self-loading.
The British Army was the last major military service to adopt a Semi-automatic service pistol as a standard sidearm, phasing out their Webley Mk IV, Enfield No 2 Mk I, and Smith & Wesson Victory revolvers in 1969,[1] after which the Browning Hi-Power became the Army's official service pistol.
Modern issue
Special operations soldiers often carry a handgun as a secondary weapon to serve in a supplementary capacity to their primary weapon (a rifle, carbine, submachine gun, or shotgun); this practice is not as prevalent among conventional soldiers. Soldiers who do not serve in a direct combat role are often issued a pistol (such as officers, artillery crews, and other rear-echelon personnel), but conventional riflemen are not generally issued a pistol as part of their standard kit. However, drivers are often issued a handgun since while driving, their rifle will be stowed on a rack and thus difficult to make ready quickly in an emergency whereas a handgun is more easily accessible.
The tradition of issuing pistols to officers as a primary weapon is being phased out by many nations. The United States Marine Corps, for example, recently began requiring all enlisted personnel and all officers below the rank of LtCol to carry the M4 Carbine as their primary weapon. British officers on combat duty are also normally issued with the standard rifle but are not required to carry it with them at all times, for example while operating as support staff the rifle would be stored in the base armory though this is the same for most support staff.
Issue by nation
Angola
Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1935–present Argentina
Steyr-Mannlicher M1905 pistolFirearm Type Calibre Service Steyr-Mannlicher M1905 Semi-automatic 7.65 mm Mannlicher 1905–1916 M1916/M1927 Semi-automatic .45 ACP 1916–1945 Ballester-Molina Semi-automatic .45 ACP 1938–1985 Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1935–present Austria
M1898 Rast & Gasser revolver (in the middle)Firearm Type Calibre Service M1870/M1870-74/M1882 Gasser Revolver 11.25x36R, 11.2x29.5 mm (Montenegrin) 1870–1898 Gasser-Kropatschek M1876 Revolver 9x26R 1876–1898 M1878 Gasser Revolver 9x26R 1878–1898 Rast-Gasser M1898 Revolver 8mm Rast & Gasser 1898–1945 Roth Steyr M1907 Semi-automatic 8mm Roth Steyr 1907–1945 Steyr M1912 Semi-automatic 9mm Steyr, 9mm Parabellum 1912–1945 Dienstpistole 11,43mm (M1911 pistol) Semi-automatic 11,43mm Dienstpistole (.45 ACP) 1950-? Walther P38 / Walther P1 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1938–1995 Pistole 80 (Glock 17) Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1980–present Bangladesh
Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1935–present Type 54 pistol Semi-automatic 7.62x25mm Tokarev 1970–present[2] Bangladesh Ordnance Factories Type 92 Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 2008–present[3] Belgium
Firearm Type Calibre Service Nagant M1895 Double-action revolver 7.62x38mmR 1895–1945 Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9x19mm 1935–present FN Five-seven Semi-automatic 5.7x28mm 2000–present Bermuda
Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1935–present Brazil
Firearm Type Calibre Service Pistola Parabellum Semi-automatic 7,65mm Parabellum 1908–1937 M1911 Semi-automatic .45 ACP 1937–1984 S&W M1917 double-action revolver .45 ACP 1937–1984 Taurus PT92 Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1984–present Cambodia
Firearm Type Calibre Service TT-33 Semi-automatic 7.62x25mm Tokarev 1950s-Present Type 54 Semi-automatic 7.62x25mm Tokarev 1967-Present Makarov pistol Semi-automatic 9x18mm Makarov 1967-Present Colt M1911 Semi-automatic .45 ACP 1950s-1975 Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1967-Present QSZ-92 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 2005-Present Canada
Firearm Type Calibre Service Colt Model 1878 Revolver .45 Colt 1885–1902 Colt New Service Revolver .45 Colt 1900–1928 Colt Model 1911 Semi-automatic .45 ACP 1914–1945 Smith & Wesson 2nd Model "Hand Ejector" Revolver .45 ACP 1915–1951 Smith & Wesson "Military & Police" Revolver .38 Special 1939–1964 Inglis/Browning High Power Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1944–present Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1935–present SIG Sauer P220 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1991–present SIG Sauer P226 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1991–present Chile
Firearm Type Calibre Service Steyr M1912 Semi-automatic 9mm Steyr 1912–1948 Walther P38 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1938-1980s SIG-Sauer P226 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1980s-Present People's Republic of China
Mauser C96Firearm Type Calibre Service Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Semi-automatic 7.63x25 Mauser, .45 ACP 1927–1953 TT pistol Semi-automatic 7.62x25 Tokarev 1930s–present Type 51/54 Semi-automatic 7.62x25 Tokarev 1951–present Type 77 Semi-automatic 7.65x17 1981–present QSZ-92 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1996–present Republic of China (Taiwan)
Firearm Type Calibre Service Mauser C96 Semi-automatic 7.63x25 Mauser, .45 ACP 1911-1950s Luger P08 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1911-1950s Browning Hi-Power Semi Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1935–Present M1911 pistol Semi-Automatic .45 ACP 1941–Present Denmark
Firearm Type Calibre Service M1861 Danish Navy revolver Pinfire evolver 11mm Lefaucheux 1861-? 1880 Danish revolver Double-action revolver 1880-? M91 Danish Army revolver Revolver 9mm Danish Army ~1900-~1946 Bergmann-Bayard pistol Semi-automatic 9x23mm Bergmann ~1910-1946 Neuhausen (Sig P210) Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum ~1950–present Egypt
Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi Automatic Pistol 9x19mm Parabellum 1955–Present Estonia
Firearm Type Calibre Service Makarov pistol Semi-automatic Pistol 9x18 Makarov 1951–Present Heckler & Koch USP Semi-automatic Pistol 9x19mm Parabellum 2007–Present Finland
Lahti L-35 service pistolFirearm Type Calibre Service Pistol M/19 Semi-automatic .32 ACP 1919–1971 Pistol M/23 Semi-automatic 7.65mm Parabellum 1922–1980 Lahti L-35 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1935–1980 Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1935–present 9.00 PIST 80-91 (FN HP-DA) Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1980–present 9.00 PIST 2003 (Walther P99) Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 2003–present France
Lebel M1892 revolverFirearm Type Calibre Service Chamelot Delvigne French 1873 Revolver 11mm 1873–1892 Lebel M1892 Revolver 8mm Lebel 1892–1945 MAB D Semi-automatic .32 ACP 1923–1984 Modele 1935 Semi-automatic 7.65x22 Longue 1935–1950 Modele 1950 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1950–1988 PAMAS Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1984–present Glock 17 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1992–present Germany
Luger P08 service pistolFirearm Type Calibre Service M1879 Reichsrevolver Revolver 10,6 dt. Ordonnanz (10,6x25) 1879–1918 Luger P08 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1904–1945 Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Semi-automatic 7.63x25 Mauser, 9mm Parabellum 1914–1945 Mauser 1914/1934 Semi-automatic .32 ACP 1914–1945 Walther PP/PPK Semi-automatic .32 ACP, .380 ACP, 9mm parabellum 1929–1970s Walther P38 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1938–1960s Mauser HSc Semi-automatic .32 ACP 1939–1945 Walther P1 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1957–present Makarov PM (East Germany) Semi-automatic 9x18mm 1951–1991 Heckler & Koch P8 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1993–present Hungary
Frommer Stop pistolFirearm Type Calibre Service Frommer Stop Semi-automatic pistol .32 ACP 1919–1948 M48 Tokarev Semi-automatic pistol 7.62x25mm 1948–1963 PA-63 Semi-automatic pistol 9mm Makarov 1963–1996 FÉG Model P9RC Semi-automatic pistol 9mm Parabellum 1996–present Heckler & Koch USP Semi-automatic pistol 9mm Parabellum 2004–present Italy
Beretta M1934 pistolFirearm Type Calibre Service Bodeo M1889 Revolver 10.35mm 1889-1945 (?) Glisenti M1910 Semi-automatic 9mm Glisenti 1910-1945 (?) Beretta M1923 Semi-automatic 9mm Glisenti 1923-1945 (?) Beretta M1934 Semi-automatic .380 ACP 1934–1951 Beretta M1951 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1951–1981 Beretta 92FS Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1981–present Iran
Firearm Type Calibre Service SIG P226 Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1990s-Present Iraq
Firearm Type Calibre Service Tariq pistol Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??- Japan
Nambu Type 14 pistolFirearm Type Calibre Service Meiji Type 26 Revolver 9mm Meiji 1893–1945 Nambu Type 14 Semi-automatic 8mm Nambu 1915–1945 Nambu Type 94 Semi-automatic 8mm Nambu 1934–1961 Nambu Model 60 Revolver .38 Special 1961–Present SIG P220 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1985–present Jordan
Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??- Republic of Korea
Firearm Type Calibre Service M1911A1 Semi-automatic .45 ACP 1945–1989 Daewoo Precision Industries K5 Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1989–Present Kuwait
Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??- Lebanon
Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??- Libya
Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??- Norway
Firearm Type Calibre Service Lefaucheux M1864 Revolver 11mm Lefaucheux 1864–1930 Nagant M1883 Revolver 9mm Nagant 1883–1894 Nagant M1893 Revolver 7.5mm Swedish Nagant 1893–1940 Kongsberg M1914 Semi-automatic .45 ACP 1914–1945 Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1940–1988 Walther P38 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1948–1988 Glock P80 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1988–present Panama
Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1935–present Peru
Firearm Type Calibre Service JO.LO.AR. Semi-automatic .45 ACP 1924–1935 Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1935–Present Portugal
Firearm Type Calibre Service Pistola m/1908 Semi-automatic 7.65x22mm Parabellum 1908–1961 FN P35 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1935–present Pistola m/943 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1941–1961 Walther P38 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1961–present SIG P228 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 199?-present HK USP Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 200?-present Glock 19 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 2009–present Russia / Soviet Union
Tokarev TT-33 service pistolFirearm Type Calibre Service Smith & Wesson No. 3 Revolver .44 Russian 1873–1895 Nagant M1895 Revolver 7.62x38R 1895–1950 Mauser C96 Semi-automatic 7.63x25 Mauser 1917-19?? Tokarev TT-33 Semi-automatic 7.62x25 Tokarev 1933–present Makarov PM Semi-automatic 9x18 Makarov 1951–present Stechkin APS Selective-fire 9x18 Makarov 1951–present Yarygin PYa Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 2003–present South Africa
Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1935–present Vektor SP1/SP2 Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1992–Present Spain
Firearm Type Calibre Service Bergmann 1903 Semi-automatic 9mm Largo 1905–1914 Campogiro 1913/1916 Semi-automatic 9mm Largo 1916–1921 Astra 1921 Semi-automatic 9mm largo 1921–1946 Star Super A Semi-automatic 9mm largo 1946–1986 Star B Super Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1970–1986 Llama M82 Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1984–present Sweden
Husqvarna m/1907Firearm Type Calibre Service Revolver m/1887 Revolver 7.5 mm Swedish Nagant 1887–1945 Pistol m/07 Semi-automatic 9mm Browning Long 1916–1988 Pistol m/39 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1939-19?? Pistol m/40 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1940–1988 Pistol 88 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1988–present Pistol 88B Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1988–present Switzerland
Model 1882 revolverFirearm Type Calibre Service Ordonnanzrevolver 1872 Revolver 10.4mm Swiss rimfire 1872–1878 Ordonnanzrevolver 1878 Revolver 10.4mm Swiss centrefire 1878–1882 Schmidt M1882 Revolver 7.5mm Swiss 1882–1946 Luger pistol Semi-automatic 7.65 Parabellum 1900–1949 SIG P210 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1949–present Walther PPK Semi-automatic .32 ACP 1965-19?? SIG P220 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1975–present Thailand
Firearm Type Calibre Service FN M1900 Semi-automatic .32 ACP 1940–1945 M1911 pistol Semi-automatic .45 ACP 1943–present HK USP Semi-automatic .45 ACP 2003–present Turkey
Firearm Type Calibre Service Mauser C96 Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1896–1945 Fabrique Nationale M1903 Semi-automatic 7.65x17mm SR Browning 1912–1955 Walther PP Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum, .32 ACP 1945–2000 ZIGANA T, C45 Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum, .45 ACP 2000–Present Tuvalu
Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 1935–present Ukraine
Firearm Type Calibre Service Nagant M1895 Double Action Revolver 7.62x38mmR 1895–1952 TT pistol Semi-automatic 7.62x25 Tokarev 1930s-1951 Makarov PM Semi-automatic 9x18mm PM 1951–present Fort-12 Semi-automatic 9x18mm PM 1997–present Fort-15 Semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 2006–present United Arab Emirates
Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1971–2007 Caracal F Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 2007–present United Kingdom, British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations
Webley Mk VI service revolver
A Webley Mark I Revolver, circa 1887, from Canada, cal .455 (Mk I) WebleyFirearm Type Calibre Service Beaumont-Adams Revolver .450 Adams 1853–1880 Enfield Mk I & Mk II Revolver .476 Enfield 1880–1887 Webley Mk I-VI Revolver .455 Webley 1887–1947 Enfield No 2 Mk I Revolver .38/200 1932–1963 Webley Mk IV Revolver .38/200 1932–1963 Smith & Wesson M&P or Victory Model Revolver .38/200 1940–1963 Browning Hi-Power Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1940–present SIG P226 Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1995–present United States
Colt M1911A1 (left) and Beretta M9 (right) service pistolsFirearm Type Caliber Service Harpers Ferry Model 1805 Flintlock .58 caliber 1805-? Colt M1851 Navy Cap and ball revolver, single-action .36 Ball 1851–1873 Colt Army Model 1860 Cap and ball revolver, single-action .44 Ball 1860–1873 Remington Model 1858 Cap and ball revolver, single-action .36, .44 Ball 1862–1875 Colt Single Action Army Single-action cartridge revolver .45 Long Colt 1873–1892 Colt M1892 Double-action revolver .38 Long Colt 1892–1911 M1911 Semi-automatic .45 ACP 1911–present M1917 Revolver .45 ACP 1917–1953 Smith & Wesson Model 10 Revolver .38 Special 1935–1972 Browning HP Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1935–present M9 pistol Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1985–present M11 pistol Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum 1985–present SIG P229 DAK[4] Semi-automatic .40 S&W 2006–present Vietnam
Firearm Type Calibre Service Makarov PM Semi-automatic 9x18mm 1951–present See also
Notes
- ^ Stamps, Mark, and Ian Skennerton, .380 Enfield Revolver No. 2, page 118
- ^ Type 54 pistol on Bangladesh Military Forces website. Retrieved on April 16, 2010.
- ^ Type 92 pistol on Bangladesh Military Forces website. Retrieved on April 16, 2010.
- ^ Coast Guard only; replaced M9
References
- Howdah To High Power (2002) Maze, Robert J, Excalibur Publications, Tucson AZ (USA) ISBN 1-880677-17-2
- Small Arms Identification Series No. 9: .455 Pistol, Revolver No 1 Mk VI (1997) Skennerton, Ian, Arms & Militaria Press, Gold Coast QLD (Australia), ISBN 0-949749-30-3
- .380 Enfield Revolver No 2 (1993) Stamps, Mark and Skennerton, Ian, Greenhill Books, London (UK) ISBN 1-85367-139-8
- 1942 Basic Manual of Military Small Arms (Facsimile Edition), Smith, W.H.B, Stackpole Books, Harrisburg PA (USA), ISBN 0-8117-1699-6
Categories:- Personal weapons
- Pistols
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
