Test Eagle SN 7050 Photos...

[Pete Ebbink]

http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie...=41&iid=200725

[Ron Wood]

Very interesting. Number 7050 was offered by Jerry Hubbard Collectable Firearms in August 2004 for $4250 and was listed at 80% condition, no pitting, and having a Marbles front sight. Sure must have seen some hard times since then.

[Edward Tinker]

It is interesting how guns change. I have a Simson that I bought, on some old dealer lists, it was listed as matching magazine and nice finish, something like 85% or better finish. When I bought it, many years later; the finish was / is gray, very light. I have to assume it was blued up by artificial means and then cleaned by the next owner??

Now, it is well worn, but looks original...

Ed

[cirelaw]

I have to commend our felllow Historial, such as Ed and Dwight, I have a bet on how high the serial number for legitimate serial numbers can be found. I would ask either of you what is the highest known Test Luger currently stands. It runs till the end of the year! ps a handshake and a mag. tks Eric, Esq.

[Ron Wood]

I'm not Ed or Dwight, but your question is an easy one. The highest "legitimate" (i.e. verifiable as a Test Luger) 1900 U.S. Test Trials Luger is #7147, which is the highest serial number in the Bannerman purchase.

[cirelaw]

Case Closed!

[Pete Ebbink]

Saved these SN 7050 photos...

Give it a year or two and it may resurface at an original 96%...

[Pete Ebbink]

SN 7050 went on the RIA auciton site for $ 1725.00 plus fees. Lit # 3707 from the 9-2007 auction.

Bessler had it for sale a month or so later for $ 2950...looks like it is sold/reserved.

[policeluger]

Pete, it was offered at $2995.00.....

[Mike B]

Gentlemen,
It is now my second test eagle. The first is serial number 7021 and now I have 7050. Not too far apart considering 1000 pistols and over 100 years and then end up in the same collection.

Mike

[LugerVern]

Mike

With two Test Eagles in hand and so close to each other can you tell us if there is any discernible difference between the two?

I am always interested in internal markings (worker marks), sort of a hobby of mine.


Thanks

Vern

[Pete Ebbink]

Mike,

Glad to see it found a home. I was worried it would have been recycled through the "shops" in the USA and resurface as an "attic" find gun with a price tage of $ 8K...

This gun was sort of screaming "...do me..."...

[Mike B]

Vern,
Holding the two Lugers side by side, it is apparent that one has a patina tint and the other a faded blue tint. I am not sure of the reason for the difference. Upon disassembly, the two Lugers are identical, except #7050 has a broken main spring and broken ejector. Both have the infamous "flaming bomb" in the well and also on the underside of the receiver. There are no other inspectors' marks or proof marks on the Luger. #7050 (the latest one) does have an aftermarket front sight, but that can be easily corrected. I have no intention of shooting this Luger, so replacement of the main spring can wait until one comes along. Both of these Lugers exhibit the kind of wear one would expect a "test" pistol to have. Both are very honest Lugers and represent a piece of American History and I am proud to be their keeper.

Pete,
Where were you in Tulsa? I looked for you with no luck. Don't worry about this Luger being redone. The only thing it will get is a needed repair job and a good home.

Mike

[Pete Ebbink]

Mike,

You might have me confused with another...???

Tulsa has been off my dance-card...for the past couple of years...

SOS in Feb. seems to be the only show I look forward to...

[LugerVern]

Mike

Nice !

Thanks for the Show & Tell, I would not worry much about the difference between the tints, it is really hard to tell if some of the very early guns have been touched up at some time with cold bluing, many have, even though we like to think otherwise.

I have purchased some really dry guns that have been a very clear gray tint and have been surprised as they take on a different shade of blue gray after several weeks/months of being oiled regularly. Some sort of chemical reaction taking place I think when the rust bluing is protected from the air. This may be what youâ??re seeing and have nothing to do with a touch-up.

Thanks again for the pictures and comparison, I like your guns, wish they were mine.

Vern

[Pete Ebbink]

Mike,

Curious to note how the last two sellers described some flaws with the gun :

RIA mentions only a "chip in the extractor"...which I never saw on their photos.

Bessler mentions a "weak mainspring", and a "period of use replacement ejector".

[Mike B]

Pete,
Quite honestly I was pleasantly surprised when I received the Luger from Randy. It is not in bad condition at all. The three problems can be easily corrected. I have a front sight coming from Tom and I opted to put off the main sping and ejector until later, as I certainly will not be shooting this Luger. But I must agree, there is vast difference in various appraisals and fortunately the difference was a positive one on this Luger.
Mike

[Pete Ebbink]

Mike,

An original flat main spring was running on Gun Broker last week.

I bid $ 60 and did not hit the reserve. Seller told me his reserve was at $ 125.

Just think a couple of years ago at Tulsa you could find them for $ 10-25 if you looked hard enough in the misc. parts bins.

[MFC]

If it's not a rusted and pitted piece of junk, nowadays $125 is a good price.
Mike C.

[Mike B]

For what it is worth, I just noticed my first test Eagle, no. 7021 is only 3 numbers away from one of the test Eagles in the Springfield Armory National Museum. It is serial number 7018.

Mike