Not all Eagles are created equal
 

I stumbled on something I thought might be of interest to the forum community. I had the good fortune of acquiring an absolutely NEW 1923 Safe & Loaded with an American Eagle crest. And when I say it is new, the best way to describe it is, just imagine being able to go back to the roaring 20's and walk into your favorite hardware store and ask the old gentelman behind the counter with the mustache and short cigar to kindly let you see that Luger in the display case. It is really that new. Well, that Luger being new prompted me to examine the Eagle to see what a "new" Eagle looked like. So I compared it to the three other Eagles I have. I am posting all four pictures here for your examination. As you can see there are subtle difference in all four. Especially interesting to note is the breast feathers on the Safe and Loaded. I am watching LSU getting beat so my typing might be a little goofy. Your comments please.

Mike

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/two_eagles.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/two_eagles2.jpg

interesting.....I would have expected better from LSU...oh...were you looking for comments on the eagles???...congratulation on the good fortune!

Mike,

A very interestng topic. It looks like four different variations. I have gone through my archives and internet posts to see if I can find more examples. Its not easy. I have come across:

A 1906 in the 38000 range
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/1906_38286.jpg


A 1906 9mm (serial number unknown)
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/1906_9mm.jpg


and a gun in the 74000 range which looks like the eagle may be engraved.
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/brockssn74797.jpg


I think I see at least one more variation in these examples.

It would be interesting to establish a gallery of American Eagle chamber stamps, if people with American Eagle Lugers would take good, sharp, big pictures of their chamber Eagles and post them here. The pictures will be the most interesting and useful if the stamps are not whitened.

I wonder if the Eagle stamp evolved over time, if new stamps were made as they wore out, or if they had several different stamps which were used concurently?

--Dwight

Dwight,
Were these Eagles stamped with a stencil or rolled as the steel was forged into place?
Mike

Interesting thread. I have been told that the dies made for the AE did go through subtle transitions over the years. In general, the earlier eagles had the tail feathers ending in a "V" and the later ones, the tail feathers ended in a "U". I'm sure other variations could be found also. They had in those days inferior tools to copy things, often just using the eye and hand.

Mike,

One guesses that, since the receiver is not a flat surface, the Eagles (and other chamber crests) were roll-stamped after the part was completed but before final surface finishing.

I wonder how they did chamber dates?

--Dwight

Oh crap. Yet another focused area for collecting... :D

Yea, Steve you are right. Wouldn't you rather be in some other country collecting stamps. Thank the Lord we still have the freedom & privlidge of enjoying a hobby so near and dear to our hearts.

Mike

Amen, Mike! Lay your hand upon the Luger and you will be HEALED!

Praise God and pass the ammo! :D

1900 AE TEST Eagle
 

Serial Number 6458

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...mall_copy1.jpg

Can somone help me. I bought Kodaks top o te Line 12x camera, yet can't take your beautiful closeups, I own a magnificant test luger with a georgeous Crest, Please, any Ansel Adams out there, Ill do you a will! Eric 'snookem13@aol.com' tks

Go to the interned and look for close up lenses for your camera. I use hoya on a Canon G3.