[Ron Wood]

Numbering of the takedown lever on the round end started very early on. I have a 1900 American Eagle serial number 2136 that is so numbered and have owned and seen others of the same vintage that were also marked the same way. The singular external characteristic of the Test Eagles is the lack of the GERMANY export stamp required on commercial weapons.

With respect to the validity of the "Martial and Collectors Arms" article, I would love to get my hands on a copy to determine the attribution of the serial numbers given. It has been presumed that they came from a bill of sale or other transaction record, but lacking any further information it remains just that, a presumption.
The precision and specifics of the numbers listed is not de facto authentication, however, for the present the data is no more specious than Reese's assertion of the 6099-7098 range.

The Springfield, West Point and Browning Museum trials gun identifications are no doubt based on the characteristics that Johnny stated.

I have also wondered about the disposition of the "missing 50" turned in test Lugers. It would seem silly to return US crested guns to Germany, so Ed's observation that they may have been transfered to Tauscher for re-sale appears to be an astute bet.