Test Eagle new # for the database
 

No affilliation...
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=285434827

Do many people collect an item like this with unmatched numbers? What is a likely price? Just another shooter I assume it isn't.

This is a desirable Luger, on of one-thousand delivered to the U.S. Army in 1901 for test trials. It is a choice piece, right out of the woodwork. Its selling price will be a benchmark for a Test Eagle's current value.

--Dwight

For what it is worth, my guess is it will sell for $1750.00.

Mike

yes, buy it for $ 2500, take the time to find 2 small parts and sell it for $ 6000

think the seller is a forum member.

A very honest gun. It was indeed tested. I doubt the possibility of mismatched small parts were installed there as part of testing procedure, but a pistol in this shape having replacement small parts is normal. Hopefully, market will reward honest gun & seller a little it.

My meager bid of 2500 has been bested so I will comment.

My research at the National Archives shows that many guns were repaired prior to Bannerman sale and 15-20% of the test guns were not in working order and remained after the Bannerman sale. They were repaired by Rock Island or Springfield arsenal, who had received plenty of original replacement parts. The Ordnance Dept. put an ad out in various publications and these guns were sold to individuals all over the country. IMO, the repaired guns are among the most used in the tests and are one of the few collectible firearms that I don't mind the mismatch at all. A similar mismatch sold for 4200 on GB about 18 or so months ago. I am guessing this one will sell between 3-4k.

I have no affiliation with the seller, and don't care to pump up the value as I collect 'em and don't resale 'em.

No arguing with sucess! Very soon the well will dry!

Final price was $3250.
Anyone know the buyer? I hope we get to see it again on the forum.

Couple of follow up items on this one.

Revisiting "mismatched test lugers", I just learned that #7018s frame and #6196s receiver are combined and on display at Springfield armory museum. Both guns are verified by individual test reports and valid. I'd sure like to own that mismatch!!!

Also apologies to "Cajun" Mike B. Upon re-reading this thread it appears that I refuted his guesstimate of the auction result. In actuality, Mike guessed several days before me. I was hoping he was right, and only guessed the auction result after bidding surpassed my bid and I looked up in my records what the other mismatching one sold on GB. I'm sure Mike took no offense but I'm certainly no expert on value and didn't want to sound like I was.

Regards -

Clark, et al,
Absolutely no offense. I had a Bannerman test eagle on my table in both Tulsa and Louisville. All matched inc. the grips. The finish was mostly gone, but no rust or pitting. I had no interested buyers. I finally sold it at the Ft.Worth gunshow a year later for just a few dollars short of $2000.00. That was my basis for an estimate. Maybe I should have tried Gunbroker.

Mike