Langenhan pistol

Lore & Background

Designed by Friedrich Langenhan of Zella-Mehlis, Germany, the Langenhan pistol was in production from 1914 to 1917. It was used by the German military from 1915 until an unknown date, and by the German police after World War I. Over 55,000 were made, with a decent amount still in existence.

The Langenhan is a simple blowback pistol fed by an eight-round single-stack detachable box magazine stored in the grip. The pistol is almost an exact mechanical copy of the FN M1900. The return spring for the slide is located just above the barrel; cartridges are ejected off to the right of the weapon. The slide was held on only by one screw, which tends to wear down and rattle loose through continuous firing. If this goes unnoticed, the slide could fly off the weapon and hit the shooter, possibly injuring him or her.

Users included Germany, where it was used by military men and police officers.

Reader's Guide

The Langenhan pistol represents a notable example of early 20th-century German firearm design, closely mirroring the FN M1900 in its mechanical operation. Its adoption by German military and police forces during World War I underscores its role as a service sidearm of the period. The production run of about 55,000 units indicates a moderate level of military and police procurement. The pistol's design, however, incorporated a notable vulnerability: the slide was retained by a single screw that could loosen with repeated firing, posing a safety risk to the user. This feature highlights the evolving nature of semi-automatic pistol engineering at the time, where reliability and safety were still being refined. Despite this flaw, the Langenhan saw continued use by police after the war, suggesting it remained functional for its intended purposes. Its legacy is tied to the broader adoption of blowback-operated pistols in Europe and the influence of the FN M1900 on subsequent designs.

Did You Know?

• The slide was held on by only one screw, which could rattle loose and cause the slide to fly off.
• It was used by German military from 1915 until an unknown date.
• Over 55,000 Langenhan pistols were produced.