Richard,
As a collector of both Model 1911s and A1s and Lugers; although I no longer collect early Lugers, here is an effort to answer your questions.
DWM was trying to sell their newly invented Luger to countries around the world. They won their first contract, from Switzerland in 1900.
In 1900, the USA issued a call to compete for a new sidearm to virtually all the gun manufacturers of the world. Most USA manufacturers submitted designs and and 19 foreign designs. But the ONLY foreign manufacturer that actually received a contract for the 1900 Tests, conducted in 1901, was DWM. The leader and ultimate winner on the USA side was Colt with the John Browning design. This became the Model 1911.
From DWM's side, they delivered the 1000 pistols which were tested by many units including the Cavalry. They liked the accuracy but felt 7.65 mm was too light.
In 1902, DWM incorporated the Powell Indicating device into their Model 1902 gun which was 9mm, and traded 50 of the original 1000 Model 1900 test pieces for 50 Cartridge Counter models.
This was not persuasive enough to sway the USA, and then in 1904, the Ordnance Department declared that .45 cal was their choice. That killed consideration of any 9mm gun.
So DWM made a few Model 1907s demo guns in .45 cal., but when the USA Army offered them a Test contract for 200 pieces, they declined as they thought their chances were slim and besides they were nearing a contract with Germany. Thus endeth the DWM relationship with the USA Ordnance Corps.
In 1910 the Model 1900 test pistols were auctioned off and Bannerman bought 780 of them for $10 each. These are the 1900 Test Guns that everyone talks about.
In Fall of 1910, the Army issued a contract to Colt and the Model 1911 was born.
In a nutshell.
Hope this helps.
John
|