Updated US Test Trials Tables

[Ron Wood]

There seems to be a recent uptick in interest for the Model 1900 U.S. Test Trials Luger. This is of course gratifying for me as it adds examples and discussions of one of my favorite topics. In the approximately 4 years since the publication of Jan’s “Central Powers Pistols” the number of reported surviving examples in Appendix A of his book has grown. Here are new tables that contain the additional numbers that have been reported in the interim. Hopefully you will find them useful and perhaps it will stimulate reporting of even more survivors.

Note: Corrected Core table 1/15/12 - changed 6848 to 6849

[cirelaw]

Congradulations, You have accounted for more than a half. '542' Great detective work. Thats 52 more pieces since Jans' publication just five years ago!! You remind us there are so sweeeet! You more than anyone have brought their shere historical beauty to the line light. Here is #6786

[drbuster]

Ron, thanks for posting the updated TE numbers. It's interesting that most of the out of range TE's are OVER number 7100 allowing one to speculate that DWM was trying to get more TE's over here for testing after the initial "1000" were sent.

[Mike B]

Thanks Ron,
It is absolutely wonderful that you and others have contributed so much time and effort in furthering our hobby. "Thanks" does not seem adequate; but thanks so much.

Mike

[spartacus38]

What are realistic retail values of US Test Lugers in 90%,95% and 98% original condition?
Thank you Ron for the lists.
Bob

[mcg]

Thank you Ron for all your hard work, and of course sharing it with us.

Mark

[CAP Black]

Great work Ron. I reported mine about three years ago. It is 6849 but I see it isn't on the list. Do I need to send pictures again?
Jack

[Ron Wood]

Jack,
I had it recorded as 6848. Terribly sorry. Don't know how I got it mixed up, but thanks for the correction. I will straighten out my records and republish the list.
Ron

[Ron Wood]

Please see my first post for corrected table

[tudorbug]

Good work, Ron! Thank you, David

[billo]

Glad to find the web site, I would like to add an american army test model in my care to your list. SN 6949

[Ron Wood]

Thank you Bill! That is indeed a new number for the list. I would like to know more about your gun if you would care to share...i.e. condition, matching numbers, etc. You can send me a private message through this forum if you do not want to provide details publically. Thanks again!
Ron

P.S. Photos would be great!

[skeeter4206]

I find so funny that on gunbroker recently there was a guy Ralph E Mcleod that was trying to sell his 1900 test luger SN 8678. Hmmm! that dont fall into these numbers at all. But it had the SN stamp on the opposite side of the take down lever. I have a 1900 SN 8372, all of his other stampings are the same as mine. Even with the flaming bomb inspection stamp on the upper receiver portion and the lower inside next to the take down lever. I actually emailed him and was questioning the fact that it is or isnt a test luger. He claimed it was with stamp on the take down lever being on the opposite side

So! that may be sopmefood for thought on another test luger, if it really is. Which I really dont think it was. But I could be wrong

Ill scan in the paper documents I printed off gunbroker and add it after this post so yall can help determine.

[SteveM]

That one has been discussed here before and he has been contacted by members of this board. He refuses to accept the fact that it is not a test eagle but just a early commercial. I would say that he has been trying to sell it for the last 5-7 years, he refuses to listen to the experts.

[skeeter4206]

[skeeter4206]

I was missing one page on it which I think showed the SN on the opposite side of the take down lever.

What do yall think? The real deal or an imposter?

[skeeter4206]

Well I just read the post before my scans. So yall have heard of this cat before.

[CJS57]

Ron, So on your table of Test Eagles with numbers over 7108, are you saying these are real Test Eables (part of the original 1000)? Or are you saying these look just like Test Eagles but are really just commercials?

[skeeter4206]

Is it pretty much the serial number range and the takedown lever stamping is what determines a true 1900 Test Eagle luger. School me a little bit on this. I ahve read so much online about these guns. I wanna here it from the experts. And after reading thru forum in the one day Ive been on here, pretty much experts.

[Edward Tinker]

Central Powers by Jan Still with input from Ron wood and others, has a very good section on it.

The only true way to know it is a Test is to buy one of the Bannerman numbers, but mind you, there were some sold to other people and given away, and those numbers are unknown.

So, read the stickies on commercial lugers by Dwight, the stickies on Tests here and on Jan's forum, and the books have info. Reese' book is a good one, although not all inclusive.

My feeling and only my opinion is that the numbers bought were not consecutive, but from a batch of approximately 2,000 - but as said above, the numbers that are listed as "Bannerman" numbers, ones sold to the Bannerman company by the US gov't at a gov't auction after the guns were considered surplus....