Pre-Test American Eagle
 

New Guy here who just purchased my first Luger! I beleive it's a 1900 AE S/N 5403 all matching on barrel and action...The mag has no serial number but has a wood bottom with a metal band unlike others I have seen.

It's about 85% but no straw...7.65mm

I've been reading about the test models and later models with higher s/n's. But have not run across any information on the lower serial numbers.

Does anyone have any insight into what I might have here?

William, http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/welcome.gif to the forum! INTERESTING first luger to get? How'd you come across it?

Can you provide pictures?

Where are there any proofs or serial numbers, to include on the inside?

Ed

The earliest verified American Eagle serial number is #2002. The first 200 (highest known is #2199), and another block in the 8900 range, had Swiss proofed barrels. Five other American Eagle Lugers in the 5400 range have been reported, including #5404 consecutive with yours.
The magazine sounds interesting. As Ed requested, can you provide pictures of the gun and magazine?

Ron and Ed,
Thank you for the interest and help. I will attempt to ad some images...

There are no proof marks on the outside of the gun. On the inside, 403 is stamped on the bottom of the action as well as an O that has a couple of tails, next to that a J. On numberous other parts, 03 can be found.
GERMANY is stamped under the s/n on the frame.

William

more...

another

One more

O.K., last one

I've never seen a metal piece atached to the bottom of an old commercial magazine like this one. Could it have been added by some skilled metal worker aftermarket to protect the wooden bottom if it was used as a hammer? Just a WAG.

doc, I wondered at this too. I assumed the bottom was cracking and like you said, an enterprising individual 'fixed" it.


Ed

Doc, The metal strip at the mag bottom is undoubtable a repair to save a loose or cracked wood bottom. The straw on the trigger and other small parts looks too good, so probably restrawed, but no big deal, if all the parts are matching period DWM commerical parts. TH

A very nice 1900..... CONGRATS!

William,

A rather nice example of an early 1900 American Eagle you have there, thanks very much for all the pictures. Its not clear from the photos, could you say where the takedown lever is numbered?

--Dwight

Dwight, The take-down is numbered 03 on the bottom side of the lever.
Doc, Upon further inspection, the metal strip is a repair. The wood is cracked.

Two more questions, how do you release the catch on the right side toggle to **** the gun or open the action? There is a catch under the right knob which is not present on the other later models I purchased with this AE.

Last question: Any idea what this thing is worth? Best guesses welcome. I'd like to know how I did compared to my purchase price.

Thanks again,
William

William,

Thanks for the additional number information.

The action on a toggle-lock Luger is opened by pulling -back- on the toggles, they will be forced up when they reach the toggle ramps. You may note at that point that the dished toggles are ergonomically designed specifically to be pulled back, rather than straight up as in New Model designs.

I bought my very early (sn 2104) 1900 American Eagle, in comparable condition to yours, about three years ago from a dealer for $1,850, marked down from $2,300 or so. Prices have advanced since then. I haven't bought one lately so its hard to suggest a real-world value, but I think that the amounts for which these guns have traded hands are likely to be much less than the retail asking prices from Simson or other dealers. Perhaps others here can relate their own experience.

--Dwight

FWIW.. I have a couple of three diget 1900 AE recorded. more then likely sample guns to get orders.

Regards,
Mike Jones

Mike,
Dwight had recorded a 3-digit 1900 AE also. Like you, I presumed it was a sample piece, with the first production run starting at 2002.

Ron,

Did not see it on Dwights list. I have one much earier and one real close to what he has listed.

Mike

Hmmm, I thought the three-digit AE was just an anomaly...

--Dwight

Dwight,
That was my first reaction too when I saw your list. Then I considered that there had to be some marketing done even back in those days, so I toyed with the possibility of a sales sample. Another gun close to the one on your list is a comfort factor for that hypothesis. But, a "much earlier" number is a little disconcerting. You would think samples would be fairly close serial number-wise.
So many questions, so little facts. <<Sigh>>

Depends, maybe on what the numbers are? Mike??

--Dwight

Dwight & Ron,

I will post the numbers when I am at the shop and have the records handy. Both of these guns have been know since the very early 60's. They match DWM records that have been in my family for years.

Regards,
Mike

Dwight and Ron,

Finally ran across the serial numbers I have on the early 1900 Eagles. I have the following numbers recorded #735 and #792 which is on Dwights list.

Sorry it took so long.

Regards,
Mike

Thanks Mike. Those numbers are close enough to be "comfortable".

Mike,

Thanks very much for the info. Is one of these the gun pictured on pages 62-63 of Luger Variations?

--Dwight

Dwight,

I will have to do some checking and see if I can find out. Harry did own #735. So it very well could the gun pictured.

Mike

The authentic test clips that were issued are wooden bottoms, simular to all the early clips, with the exception of a tiny flaming fuzed round bomb, I submitted a closeup to our forum, Im told, when one recently sold for $800.00

I have no 3 digit, but have #'s 5643 and 9220 AE's.

great photography I must need a new camera! Nice gun! eric