January 23rd 2016 Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
7.65mm caliber with a 4-3/4" barrel. Offered is one of the finest condition Model 1900 U.S. Army test Lugers that has ever surfaced to date. It falls squarely in the middle of the proper serial number range (6100-7100). It was manufactured by DWM, which is stamped on the toggle along with the American Eagle emblem at breech of frame. Exhibits all matching numbers. It remains in near mint condition, retaining approximately 90% of the original high polish factory commercial blue with some minor high edge wear on rail, light muzzle wear, some thinning on front and rear grip straps, and high edges. The near mint checkered walnut grips are numbered to the gun on both panels. Straw colors are brilliant. Fine bore and action. The wood bottom magazine is near mint, sans any stamps. This is an incredible example of a scarce DWM Model 1900 American Eagle Test Luger that was purchased in August 1901 by the U.S. Ordnance Department for troop trials with the U.S. Cavalry. In April 1900 the Ordnance Board authorized an order for 1,000 DWM model 1900 Luger pistols, which were delivered in two separate lots. Approximately 800 were shipped 26 October, 1901 (serial numbers approximately 6100-7100 range). This scarce pistol is serial number "6583" and falls directly within the known U.S. Test Eagle serial number ranges. These early American Eagle Test Lugers were developed expressly for the U.S. military when they were interested in selecting a replacement pistol for Colt 1894 revolver chambered for the anemic .38 caliber. There was a total of 1,000 of this model manufactured as a standard 1900 commercial Lugers with all of them being hand selected at the DWM factory for shipment to the US Army. The distinguishing features of these rare "Test Trial" American Eagle Lugers are the lack of German acceptance proof marks and the lack of the typical Germany export markings usually found on the front of the frame or under the barrel. At the conclusion of the tests, all of these Lugers were deemed inadequate for U.S. military use and they were later sold to Bannerman's. The top of the chamber is correctly marked with the "American Eagle", seal of the United States and are correctly serial numbered in the commercial fashion. It exhibits the early grip safety, recessed breech bolt, dished toggles with toggle locks on the side, and is numbered with the full serial number located on the front of the frame and underside of the barrel, with the last two digits of the serial number on the face of the recoil lug, side plate, breech bolt, toggle assembly and the grip. The flaming bomb can be found stamped on the bottom lug as well as inside the receiver well. Safety slogan (Geshart) is not stamped on left side. This pistol exhibits the deep rust blue finish with the heat blue front sight blade and connecting pins. The ejector, toggle link, takedown lever, trigger, magazine release, and thumb safety lever have the beautiful straw color finish. It is fitted with walnut checkered grips and it has a nickel plated magazine body with an unmarked wooden base. The takedown is not numbered. If a finer condition example of this rare pistol exists, we are not aware of it. In addition, the pistol comes with a 1939 dated Nazi marked holster with loading tool in excellent condition.