The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Walther P38/Beretta 92 locking block: why?

warhammer357 · April 2, 2002, 03:48 PM

>>>This is entirely surmise and may have no basis in fact, but is it possible that when the P 38 was designed there were still some patents in effect covering Browning design features that Colt and/or FN owned? <<<

I doubt the Nazis worried about Patent rights. There are always ways around them. Look at the Colt Double Eagle and the Seecamp for a recent example.

Also the P38 was designed to be an easier and cheaper pistol to manufacture than the Luger(the pistol it replaced), is it possible that it also was cheaper and easier to produce than Browning designs?
The Browning designs were cheaper and easier to machine than the Luger design too. Elmer Keith's book sixguns will tell you exactly how many machine operations it takes to make the Luger vs the Colt.

It was most likely a case of the Germans not wanting a foriegn gun, as it is never a good idea to rely on outsiders for something you need in a war.

The p-38 is a good design, as is the Beretta, as is the Colt and the Browning P-35. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. The Colt/Browning is a lot flatter. The p-38 and B-92 have that straight in line barrell and the locking block is acutally simpler in theory than the tilting barrel design.

April 2, 2002, 03:48 PM	#7
warhammer357 Junior member Join Date: April 1, 2002 Location: the boonies, west virginia Posts: 362	Walther and Beretta designs >>>This is entirely surmise and may have no basis in fact, but is it possible that when the P 38 was designed there were still some patents in effect covering Browning design features that Colt and/or FN owned? <<< I doubt the Nazis worried about Patent rights. There are always ways around them. Look at the Colt Double Eagle and the Seecamp for a recent example. Also the P38 was designed to be an easier and cheaper pistol to manufacture than the Luger(the pistol it replaced), is it possible that it also was cheaper and easier to produce than Browning designs? The Browning designs were cheaper and easier to machine than the Luger design too. Elmer Keith's book sixguns will tell you exactly how many machine operations it takes to make the Luger vs the Colt. It was most likely a case of the Germans not wanting a foriegn gun, as it is never a good idea to rely on outsiders for something you need in a war. The p-38 is a good design, as is the Beretta, as is the Colt and the Browning P-35. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. The Colt/Browning is a lot flatter. The p-38 and B-92 have that straight in line barrell and the locking block is acutally simpler in theory than the tilting barrel design.