[Ron Wood]

According to Reeseâ??s book, #6100 was the earliest documented surviving example at the time the book was published. Number 6137 was in the collection of Dr. Eric Pappe at that time.

To date, in my database I have a total of 407 serial numbers of Lugers having the characteristics of US Test Trial Lugers that have been observed and recorded by various individuals (I hope to update the tables in the Members Gallery as soon as I can after September). From serial numbers that I have observed and those recorded/provided by Mike Reese, Scott Meadows, Sam Costanzo, Mike Jones, Ron Martin, Dwight Gruber, and many others, the lowest serial number that is a possible Test Trial Luger is #5978. The highest is # 7990, as mentioned by Dwight.

This is difficult data to pin down, since some serial numbers were reported as Commercial Lugers early on, and then later on reported as Test pieces when observed by a more knowledgeable individual.

The common traits among these American Eagle Lugers are the lack of proofs (except for the so called â??flaming bombâ? proof found on most examples) and no GERMANY export stamp. On the earlier examples, the takedown lever is numbered on the right end of the spindle. The earliest known (to me) example of the transition to the left face of the takedown lever is #7108, which was one of the Lugers included in the Bannerman purchase.

I do not necessarily dispute the serial number range originally published by Mike Reese that he states as coming from Government accounting documents. However, with all the extensive original documentation reproduced by him in his book, this is one important document that is not represented therein. Scott Meadows in his excellent work on US Military pistols also does not present or directly quote such documentation. Without this key documentation, the serial number range of 6099 running consecutively to 7099 lacks substantiation and must be relegated to plausible hearsay. The preponderance of evidence by subsequent authors and examples recorded by we enthusiasts and students of US Luger history strongly tends to extend this range and calls into question whether the US Test pieces were indeed consecutively serial numbered.

Nobody asked my opinion but here it is anywayâ?¦my gut feeling is that they were not consecutive and were delivered in at least two batches, with the possibility of a few precursors/samples in the beginning and perhaps a few late deliveries at the end.

Hang me for a heretic.