1900 American Eagle not marked Germany

[Ron Wood]

This is one of those enigmatic "above the range" 1900 AE Lugers that have US Test features, specifically no "GERMANY" export stamp. About 2000 1900 American Eagle Lugers in the 6000 to 8000 serial number range without the stamp were brought into the US. Only 1000 of them were purchased by the Army for trials, so how did the remaining 1000 come in without the mandatory export stamp? Were they intended to be prepositioned for anticipated additional Army purchase? Who knows? At any rate, they add to the difficulty in identifying actual test pieces and the only litmus test to date is the serial numbers in the Bannerman purchase.

This gun also shows the progression of the serial number marking of the takedown lever in this 2000 gun series from the right end, to the left flat and ultimately back to the typical commercial placement on the bottom. Only the right end and left flat have been positively identified as "proper" test gun number placement.