Hi Pete,
You wrote: p.s. (Added on 8-23-03...) Since your AE luger has the two last serial numbers on the "left" side of the take-down lever, it would preclude it from being a "US Test Eagle", as theirs are stamped on the rounded, right side of the take-down lever spindle...
Regards
Isn't this a characteristic of the supposedly last 100 Test Lugers that are found above the 7100 serial range? 7555 would be in the correct range with the 55 on the left flat of the take down lever. I have 7735 with these characteristics and it is thought that THEY are test pieces by most, but there is no way to prove it. The 6100 to 7100 serial range has been drilled into us for a long time with no actual facts to exclude anything above them. The Lugers bought by Bannerman include 7147 which is out of the 6100-7100 recongized range, so apparently the 6100 to 7100 could very well have some holes in it. Kenyon told me that he felt if it wasn't marked Germany, had no Bug proofs, and had the take down lever marked either on the right or left flat, then he felt they were test pieces. Not all agree with this. According to what I've been told, only the test pieces in the serial range from approximately 6000-8000 are not marked Germany. That is the most important factor.
So, if you want an accepted test piece find one in the 6100-7100 range. If you find one outside of the range that isn't marked Germany, has the AE, no bug proofs, and has the two digits on the left flat of the take down lever, you could possibly have a test piece, but not everyone will conceed to this. I have one of each. -- Bill
|