Geoffrey Boothroyd and Prof. Thomas J. Kratville. The Luger Book The Encyclopedia of the Borchardt and Borchardt-Luger Handguns 1885-1985 is a comprehensive guide to the development and history of the iconic Borchardt and Luger handguns, from their inception in the late 19th century to their eventual decline in the mid-20th century. Written by renowned firearms historians Dr. Geoffrey Boothroyd and Prof. Thomas J. Kratville, this encyclopedia provides an in-depth look at the evolution of these weapons, exploring their design, production, and impact on military and civilian markets. The book begins with an introduction to the Borchardt pistol, which was developed in the late 19th century by German gunsmiths Hugo Borchardt and Carl Walther. This early semi-automatic pistol was the precursor to the more famous Luger pistol, which would go on to become one of the most popular handguns of the 20th century. The authors delve into the technical details of the Borchardt and Luger designs, explaining how they were developed and refined over time, and how they influenced the development of other firearms.

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