Part 2
As noted upscreen, 1900AE were produced either coincident with or just after the Swiss Contrract Lugers. Barrels on early American Eagles are found with the Geneva Cross mark which can be found as part of the marking panoply on Swiss Lugers. A database (Ron Martin, Auto Mag) sampling shows them to be present on many 1900AE from 2001 to 2461, with additional high numbered pistols #8937, 8950, and 8951.
The meaning of this mark as it appears on a 1900AE (or Commercial) is unclear. Costanzo notes that, as it appears on Swiss Lugers, the Geneva Cross is originally a "definitive proof" (whatever that means), and later became a parts proof. I have heard the opinion that the barrel cross is part of the power-proof marking set for the Swiss pistols.
Since the early Model 1900 production was carried out either coincident with or right after the Swiss contract, it makes sense to me, WAG-ALERT, that the Geneva Crosses which appear on the barrel are Swiss inspector stamps, that they inspected and accepted many more barrels than were ultimately used for the Swiss contract, and that these barrels simply sat in a parts bin and were assembled into commercial pistols until they were used up WAG-OFF.
This example 1900AE displays another controversial mark, the so-called "flaming-bomb" inspector's mark. As this is commonly the only mark found on Test Eagle Lugers, many collectors have associated it with the U.S. Flaming Bomb armory mark. As it is found on early guns--shown here on the bottom of the receiver--and much later guns (it is in the lug well of 1900AE #13499) it cannot have any connection with the U.S. Army.
The same mark appears in the lug well of this pistol (not pictured). It can also be found in a very unusual position, stamped on the back face of the side plate extension. It is highlighted in this photograph to make it easier to see.
As can be noted on the receiver bottom, the witness mark is a perfect, one-instrument one-strike mark. I believe I am beginning to see detail differences in the witness marks of early Lugers and later production, but have no new conclusions at this time.
The grips on this Luger are serial-numbered to the gun.
The magazine tubes on early commercial Lugers are distinctive. Instead of being simply nickeled steel, their surface is brushed (Don Rousseau, conversation). This gives them a distinctly different look. This is hard to photograph, but easy to see particularly if one has a sample of each to compare. In the photo below the top magazine is the common finish, the bottom mag has the brushed surface.
The brushed surface shows up a bit in this detail photo of the mag base side, also showing the end of the blued magazine pin. The grip depression of the magazine base does not appear to be its original configuration, but has been either worn or worked to this appearance.
I have not seen this brushed-surface characteristic documented anywhere. This points up the fact that, no matter how good the published material on Lugers is (and some of it is very, very good) there is no substitute for actual contact and conversation with collectors of many years experience and hands-on examination and comparison of many different Lugers.
This magazine is unmarked on its base, proper for early commercial Lugers. The GERMANY export stamp was placed on magazine bases of Lugers sold out of the country between the two World Wars (ibid.).
At first glance this front sight of this Luger seemed to be a Marbles or a Shears sight. However, magnification shows it to be the standard steel 1900 sight, filed to an approximation of one of these target sights.
I've done a number of these Luger profiles now, and it should be noted that, as a relative beginner at this hobby, I could not write them without the original research, survey participation, and publication of more collectors than can possibly be named; they have my appreciation and my thanks. In regards 1900 American Eagle #2104, I must thank specifically Russ Withem who put me onto this gun in the first place, Don Rousseau from whom I learned some things about serious collecting and early Lugers, and Ron Wood who graciously forwarded me American Eagle database material.
--Dwight