Re: 1900 Luger
 

Hi Kyrie,

Perhaps I am not understanding your replies correctly, but it seems to me that you have twice now given the impression that these are counterfiets or forgeries. I most certainly can not agree with that. Until a list is provided with all the serial numbers of the exact test guns, you and I are both just speculating on what is a test gun and what isn't. But to suggest that they are counterfiets or forgeries because they have these certain characteristics is most certainly speculation also. There is getting to be a large number of collectors that think that these are actually some of the test guns, based on what was discussed in some of the above posts. As more serial numbers are recorded and more information becomes available, we will learn more about these guns. 7147 was purchased by Bannerman and it is out of the established range, which in my mind, gives some credibility to these guns. Interesting batch of guns regardless.

Re: 1900 Luger
 

Hello Kyrie and Bill M.

As I have said before, This gun was not sold to me as a test luger but merely as a commercial AE. It was sold to me by someone who is known for his honesty. He also had a similar condition test luger for almost twice the price. I agree that a 95% test luger in the 61xx range is probably something to be carefull of. Also, I had a hard time justifyng the finances for it. I think the piece I bought is a nice piece, and the only definite mismatch is the trigger. I'm hearing different opinions on the TD lever but we don't know that it is definitely wrong. The man who sold me the gun offered to do whatever it takes to make the deal right. What would you guys say is right? How bad is only a mismatched trigger? Would finding a matching trigger make everyone happy? That doesn't seem right either. So what would you do with the gun?

Bill! Who is Bannerman and what significance does #7147 have?

Re: 1900 Luger
 

Bannerman was a firm that purchased supposedly 770 test Lugers directly from the US Government. The serial numbers reportly purchases were 6167-96, 6282, 6361-7108, and 7147. The last nine of these -- 7101-7108, and 7147 are above the recognized serial range of 6100-7097. That is what makes it interesting, the fact that Bannerman bought these Lugers directly from the US Government and they are outside the range. So, I'd like someone to explain these nine known examples and explain to me how they are not test pieces. If these are direct US Government purchases, then what is to say that the rest of the 1900 with these same characteristics are not some of the test pieces also. The serial range of 6100 to 7097 just doesn't fly anymore with this information and the fact that nine of these gun are known already outside of it.

Re: 1900 Luger
 

Hi Bill, I agree that there may be more! I think that sometimes the obivious is overlooked when it comes to serial ranges....I personally don't believe that the 1000 test guns would have to be consecutive...with the high reject rate suffered by the luger all through it's history, building and delivering a 1000 units at that time in their history would be mighty tough, much less 1000 consecutive pieces. We are only talking about approx. 6000 guns prior to this test! Also we are talking about test pieces that would suffer even a higher reject % then the commercial....I think there may be quit a few outside the known range....If I had one, I certainly wouldn't throw it out with the dishwater....till...later...G.T.

Re: 1900 Luger
 

Agreed. It is a fact that there are pistols that are serial numbered before the "published" range of test pistols, and pistols that are serial numbered after the published serial number range that meet all the criteria of a test pistol. The takedown lever being numbered on the round was used as early as the early 2000 serial number range. At about this same time the Swiss Cross proof showed up on the barrels. Just as mysteriously the SC proof later disappeared. If you look at enough serial numbers of the early pistols you will see that small changes were made in a given serial number range, and then for no apparent reason changed back to the the previous way they were made or marked. The no proofs and BUG proofs are a good example of this.