1906 AE on GA.com
 

Just saw this one on gunsamerica, and I question the barrel length and caliber. Did they offer a 1906 AE with a 4.75" barrel in 9mm? And what is the circle B stamping on the barrel under the number?
Thanks;
dju

http://www.gunsamerica.com//97558474...pisto.htm?wl=1

Don't believe so, likely it's .30 cal. They may not have checked the chamber fit.

David, The B in circle on the left side of barrel extention would indicate a Brazilian contract pistol, which should be in 7.65mm and have their own serial number range. TH

I can't view the pics, but according to Sturgess & Gortz, the 'Brazilian contract' circle-B should be on the left forward side of the receiver [barrel extension], not on the barrel.

Red flag?

I really doubt that the gun is 9mm. Model 1906 American Eagle Lugers are occasionally found with the circled B marking on the barrel. There was the notion that these were left over spare barrels from the Brazilian contract, but since the Brazilan guns did not have that mark on their barrels it is more likely that a DWM inspector just chose that die for his purposes. Evidently there is some operation in the assembly and inspection of early Lugers that required an additional barrel inspection. In addition to the circle B you will sometimes see a shield shaped mark with a diagonal line across it, just another DWM inspector mark.

I just sent them a message requesting clarification of caliber.
Also, I'm not seeing any Circle B's on the frame extension, only under the serial number on the barrel.
Most signs show original finish, excepting a lack of halo's on the front frame.
I guess I'll go with Ron's explanation of the B marking and assume that it is chambered for 9.
But it's a curious gun, to be sure.
dju

Seller states "4 7/8" round barrel"...That's curious for any Luger...125mm??? :confused:

And why add 'round'??? How many octagonal Luger barrels do you see??? Or square ones??? :rolleyes:

96% positive??? :)

in the text part he does say 30 luger caliber

Well now we know that at least 1 of us actually reads the item description...
Thanks Ben.
dju

The Brazilian Lugers only have the circled-B mark on their barrel extension, on the receiver's left side. Older books (Kanyon and Walter) claim that the barrels were also marked but it is not true. As Ron said, there are a bunch of Commercial Lugers made at the same timeframe (1908-1911) who has the same mark on their barrels. My bet is that those barrels were leftovers from the Brazilian contract that ended installed on Commercial guns.