[2grimjim]

Ok, all knowledgable ones, I have a challenge for you!

Now that I've found a source of reliable data on early Lugers I would like to hear from anyone interested, an answer or opinion to one or all of these questions;

1) In Fred Datigs 1958 revised edition of his book "The Luger Pistol" (I know, I know! I can allready hear the howling! It's 50 years out of date info) on pg.239 the author recalls a story of someone that contacted him after the first edition of his book was published in 1955.
A collector informed him of a M1902 that was sold to a family member (Dr. Earl D. Fuller) by the Springfield Armory on Nov. 7 1913. The collector had an original Bill of Sale dated June 3 1910 that was from the Springfild Army and approved by the Secretary of War.
There were a total of six corrospondences from the War Depatrment, House of Representatives, and the Springfield Armory reprinted in Datigs book detailing the sale transaction of a 9mm Luger, two magazines, and 500 rounds of ammunition to Dr. Fuller.
It's not stated in the in any of the letters the serial number of the Luger in question and there was no mention by Datig if it was an American Eagle model or had a "GERMANY" marking. It is mentioned that the "flaming bomb" mark is present in the bottom of the lug well but nowhere else.
It's further noted that the barrel length was longer than other known M1902's and the serial number appeared out of range for this particular model.
Datig goes on to speculate that this particular weapon may have been a prototype sent to the springfield Armory for an informal, albeit unsuccessful, evaluation.
Does anyone know the fate of this particular weapon? Has there been any additional information come to light on this weapon since the publication of Datigs revised book?

2) Were there any other known purchases of Lugers by the U.S. Government? If there was, what was the fate of these weapons (were they destroyed or surplussed)? [I'm aware of the uber-rare .45 cal Lugers]

3) Are there any other verifiable sales of Lugers by the U.S. Government other than the Bannerman sale?

4) I recall reading somewhere that some (as many as 200) of the 1000 M1900AE "Test Lugers" were actually issued to Cavalry Officers for 'field testing'.
Was this true? If it is, might this account for the gaps in serial numbers of the Bannerman Lugers (or the 228 missing "test" Lugers)? Is there any historical references to M1900AE test Lugers being issued to Army Officers in the field (i.e. outside of the controlled testing environment)? Is it possible that IF there were any of the "test Lugers" issued to Army Officers that they may have found their way 'unofficially outside of the military' once it was known that they would not become a standard side arm?

5) Do the M1900AE's that fall in the range of s/n 6100-7100 but NOT part of the Bannerman purchase have ALL of the same attributes as the Bannerman Lugers (i.e. are they identical in every way)?

6) Is there a database of M1900AE's (commercial U.S. market models marked with "GERMANY") with s/n's under 21,000? Is it known what the total number of commercial American Eagles were produced in 1900-01?

7) Why do Texans.....?......er..scratch that one.

8) Are there any production numbers of M1900's (manufactured in 1900-01) used for testing (NOT post adoption weapons or M1900/06) by Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and Russia?

9) I read on another message board about visitors at gun shows could have their Lugers "upgraded ", for a price, with the "flaming bomb" mark sometime in the early 1960's. Is this a serious case of Alzheimers? I'm quite certain that there is a plentiful variety of unscrupulous collectors and gunsmiths that would entertain this, but why? Eventually, like any other criminal, you'll get fingered.

Answer all of these question to my satisfaction and you win a lifetime supply of beer!
Good luck!