Reported AE Test Luger serial Range in error
 

Reference to the Springfield Armory web sight was made by Warren Buxton in the most recent issue of AUTO MAG.

The Springfield Armory web sight reported Bannerman serial range for the 1900 AE Test Luger varies from that reported in Imperial Lugers and Meadows U.S.Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920, page 386(1993) and Walter in Luger page 61 and The Luger Book page 277: as follows: Imperial Lugers: 6167-6196, 6282, 6361-7108, and 7147. From Springfield Armory web sight 6176-6196, 6282, 6361-7108, and 7147.
Jan

Full text from the Springfield Armory web sight below:
"LUGER PISTOL M1900 AMERICAN EAGLE SECOND ISSUE 7.65MM U.S. ARMY
TRIALS (From Springfield Armory web sight)
The listed serial numbers represent 770 pistols purchased by Bannerman & Sons from the United States Government Arsenal at Springfield Armory in 1906, 6176-6196, 6282, 6361-7108, and 7147. These are the only documented specimens of trial pistols issued by the U.S. Army from 1901-1905. The original order from Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, Germany was for 1000 pistols. The 230 (1000-770) pistols whose serial numbers are not shown were probably rendered useless in various tests. It is quite possible however that a small number of these unrecorded specimens came into private hands. There is no definite marking employed by the United States Government which will positively identify these pistols. Any stamped letters, numbers or ordnance type flaming bombs found on the frame or receiver can not be attributed to any United States government agency. If a M1900 American Eagle, second issue pistol is suspected of being a trial specimen it will have the following characteristics: 1. Serial number range 5800 to 7800. 2. The word Germany will not appear on the pistol.
M1902 LUGER PISTOL 9MM (From Springfield Armory web sight) The introduction of the 9mmm cartridge caused the purchase of at least five additional pistols. 10030B - a prototype specimen, 10060 - a prototype specimen, and 22414, 22425, and 22435."

It is worthwhile to note that 1900 American Eagle #6167 is one of the guns mentioned by number in the report of 2nd. Lieut. Orlando G. Palmer, 7th Cavalry, Cuba; it is a gun reported as existing.

--Dwight

It would be nice to know who made the typo....

My money is on the Springfield Armory website (being wrong :) )

Finally got to talk with John McCabe, a curator at Springfield Armory Museum. He told me that the list in their web site for the AE test guns IS in error and that the first gun should be 6167 as in the other publications. This will be corrected. He was not aware of the list's source, and thought it might have come from Kenyon. He was unaware of any source material in the Archives for this list. Do any of you know where this list originated and what form the original was in? Regards to all, Richard

Richard, The first place I saw the Bannermann luger serials was in Steve Fuller's "US Martial & Collectors Arms" copyrighted 1977) page 44. His numbers run from 6167 to 7147. TH