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A service pistol is any handgun (revolver or semi-automatic) issued to military personnel, or in some contexts, law enforcement officers.
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 & 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 the prevalence of pikes and musket-fire 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, 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, NCOs, 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.
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. Conventional infantry 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.
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.
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.
Service pistols by nation
Angola
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Argentina
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Steyr-Mannlicher M1905 Semi-Automatic 7.65 mm Mannlicher 1905-19?? M1916/M1927 Semi-Automatic .45 ACP 1916-19?? Ballester-Molina Semi-Automatic .45 ACP 1938-19?? Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 19??-Present
Austria
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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 Walther P38 / Walther P1 Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1938-1995 Pistol 80 Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1980-Present
Bangladesh
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Belgium
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 9x19mm 1935-
Bermuda
-
Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Canada
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Colt Model 1878 Revolver 1885-1902 Colt New Service Revolver 1900-1928 Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic 1914-1945 Smith & Wesson 2nd Model "Hand Ejector" Revolver 1915-1951 Smith & Wesson "Military & Police" Revolver 1939-1964 Inglis/Browning High Power Semi-Automatic 1944-Present Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 1970-Present SIG-Sauer P225 Semi-Automatic 1991-present SIG-Sauer P226 Semi-Automatic 1991-present
Chile
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Steyr M1912 Semi-Automatic 19?? Walther P38 Semi-Automatic 19??- SIG-Sauer P226 Semi-Automatic 19xx-
China
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Semi-Automatic 7.63x25 Mauser, 9mm Parabellum, .45 ACP 1915-1949 Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1942-1945 Type 51/54 Semi-Automatic 7.62x25 Tokarev 1951-1981 Type 77 Semi-Automatic 7.65x17 1981-Present QSZ-92 Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1996-Present
Egypt
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi Automatic Pistol 9x19mm Parabellum
Estonia
-
Firearm Type Calibre Service Heckler & Koch USP Semi-Automatic Pistol 9x19mm Parabellum 2007-
Finland
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Firearm 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 9 mm Parabellum 1940-1980 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
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Firearm 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
Germany
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Firearm Type Calibre Service M1879 Reichsrevolver Revolver 10.6x25 Reichsrevolver 1879-1918 Luger P08 Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1904-1945 Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1914-1945 Mauser 1914/1934 Semi-Automatic .32 ACP 1914-1945 Walther PP/PPK Semi-Automatic .32 ACP, .380 ACP 1929-Present Walther P38 Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1938-1945 Mauser HSc Semi-Automatic .32 ACP 1939-1945 Walther P1 Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1957-1993 Heckler & Koch P8 Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1993-Present
Hungary
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Firearm 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
Italy
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Firearm 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
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Firearm Type Calibre Service SIG P226 Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Iraq
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Japan
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Meiji Type 26 Revolver 9mm Meiji 1893-1925 Nambu Type 14 Semi-Automatic 8mm Nambu 1915-1945 Nambu Type 94 Semi-Automatic 8mm Nambu 1934-1945 SIG P226 Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1985-Present
Jordan
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Kuwait
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Lebanon
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Libya
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Norway
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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 19??-
Peru
-
Firearm Type Calibre Service JO.LO.AR. Semi-Automatic .45 ACP 1924-19?? Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Russia/Soviet Union
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Smith & Wesson No. 3 Revolver .44 Russian 1873-1895 Nagant M1895 Revolver 7.62x38R 1895-1950 Tokarev TT-33 Semi-Automatic 7.62x25 Tokarev 1933-1951 Makarov PM Semi-Automatic 9x18 Makarov 1951-Present Stechkin APS Selective-fire 9x18 Makarov 1951-1975 Yarygin PYa Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 2003-Present
South Africa
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??- Vektor SP1/SP2 Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
Sweden
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Firearm 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
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Firearm 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 M1911 pistol Semi-Automatic .45 ACP 19??-
Turkey
-
Firearm Type Calibre Service ZIGANA T, C45 Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum, .45 ACP 200?
Tuvalu
-
Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??
Ukraine
-
Firearm Type Calibre Service Makarov PM Semi-Automatic 9x18mm PM 19??- Fort-12 Semi-Automatic 9x18mm PM 1997-Present Fort-15 Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 2006-Present
United Arab Emirates
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Firearm Type Calibre Service Browning Hi-Power Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1971-2007 Caracal F Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 2007-Present
United Kingdom, The British Empire and Commonwealth
-
Firearm 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
-
Firearm Type Calibre Service Harpers Ferry Model 1805 Flintlock .58 calibre 1805-? Colt M1851 Navy Revolver .36 Ball 1851-1873 Colt Army Model 1860 Revolver .44 Ball 1860-1873 Remington Model 1858 Revolver .36, .44 Ball 1862-1875 Colt Single Action Army Revolver .45 Long Colt 1873-1892 Colt M1892 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 M9 pistol Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1985-Present M11 pistol Semi-Automatic 9mm Parabellum 1985-Present SIG P229 DAK* Semi-Automatic .40 S&W 2006-Present
* Coast Guard only; replaced M9
Vietnam
-
Firearm Type Calibre Service Makarov PM Semi-Automatic 9x18mm 19??-
Yemen
-
Firearm Type Calibre Service Helwan Brigadier Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Parabellum 19??-
See also
References
- ^ Stamps, Mark, and Ian Skennerton, .380 Enfield Revolver No. 2, page 118
- 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
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