1900 American Eagle not marked Germany
 

I recently acquired a 1900 early American Eagle. The serial # is very close to being considered a test and it has a lot of attributes. The serial is 7856. It has the flaming bomb on the slide and the frame. There are no other markings. The take down lever is numbered underneath not on the end where the tests were. Unfortunately the gun has been reblued. Here are some pics. Thanks in advance for the info ;)
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0267.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0280.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0279.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0278.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0277.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0276.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0275.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0274.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0273.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0272.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0271.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0270.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0269.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0268.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0266.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0265.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0264.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0263.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0262.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0261.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...7/DSC_0260.jpg

I just finished a few miinutes ago Jan's new Central Powers book and the last section was on the test lugers.

This one looks like it was not reported on the list of of the Over/Under serials in the Traditional Range but 7856 is.

Nice.

I was disappointed that you found it at Tulsa and I did not. ;)

Looks even nicer here than I remembered, excellent gun.


Ed

Looks just like my Test Piece! until you open it up! no blueing on the test piece! Look of the inside above!

since the rest of the gun is re-finished, why not have Hugh re-cut the grips?
dju

Gary, Looks like a nice restoration of one of the estimated 100 or so M1900AEs above the normally accepted US test range, that were sent by DWM from normal production, to complete this contract. TH

The restoration is .....ok.....wouldn't really say "nice" They did keep the edges and lines nice and sharp, but it almost appears to be a rust blue that went too long between rusting/boiling cycles, resulting in way too much of a matte finish , but the interior of the frame wells and rails are blued, making it seem like some kind of a dip job....hmmm. Neat gun tho!

Your right about the bluing. I was thinking about having it re-blued. Can any one recommend a shop that does a good job? Any Idea what it would cost?

Charles Danner is your man, the best !!

Harry

Charles Danner is the man
 

Charles Danner is the guy I would send it to,he will have it back
to you is short order at a good fair price.
Thanks George:bigbye:

Our own Thor has a stellar reputation for first class work too.
dju

Hands down Ted is best!
 

I"ve known him and his work for going on ten years. Trust your baby to none other!

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.

Thank You Ron!! Our inhouse Test Luger expert!~#6786 Yea!

Land Of Bourchardt
 

Has supposedly the complete set. I'm missing the oiler! The ammo DWM looks tlike the copies out there! Its on that site that has Luger replica accessories. Mine may not loook as crisp but its real!