Another 1900 test? luger for sale on Auction Arms

cirelaw · 04-12-2007, 05:00 PM

The mistory deepeens, A 1900 'test' luger, serial number, #7172. has appeared, with no import/Germany stamp,If its legit, it was definitly teste allot, The auction number is #7955323, If this is legit, it lends creadence, that the Test lugers werent restricted to 6000 to 7000, I would invite any comments, Im beginning to beleive the definition of 'THE 1900 US TEST TRIALS, will need a volume 2, Keep serching

cirelaw · 04-12-2007, 05:01 PM

Sorry the luger is offered on 'AUCTION ARMS

Ron Wood · 04-12-2007, 06:04 PM

Eric,
This Luger is a very good candidate for being an authentic Test Luger. The Bannerman purchase included #7147 and this gun is only a few numbers higher. The exact serial number range of the model 1900 Lugers provided to the US for testing has been lost in time, but there is considerable evidence that the 6100-7100 range is doubtful at best with serial numbers both above and below that range exhibiting Test characteristics. I am of the belief that some Lugers with the proper characteristics in the 7100-7199 range have a very high probability of being Test Trial Lugers. Thank you for spotting this one.
Ron

Pete Ebbink · 04-12-2007, 06:16 PM

Hard to tell from the glare in the photo if this one has the 2-digit serial number stamped on the flat, left side of its TD lever...definitely not stamped on the right side of the TD lever shaft...

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/di...temnum=7955323

Looks like it has the Type 2 thumb safety lever...or is it a Type 3 ???

cirelaw · 04-12-2007, 06:41 PM

It then is a luger with history, its condition is obviosly signs of use and not abuse, You wonder how many hands have held this Piece of American History.

Ron Wood · 04-12-2007, 07:02 PM

Pete,
The ad states that the TD is stamped on the left flat.

cirelaw · 04-13-2007, 03:49 AM

If I didnt already own one,I would definitly bid on a piece of American History

cirelaw · 04-13-2007, 06:32 AM

Assuming every thing is correct, would this Luger make a good candidate for TEDS restoration?

Lugerdoc · 04-13-2007, 08:34 AM

Ron, Pete, et al, It's been my observation that those M1900s in the 7100 range with the last 2 digits stamped on the left side of TD lever (vise the normal commerical lower edge location) and not marked "Germany" on the front of frame, are probably replacements to make the 1000 gun total of the US test contract, for pistols in the 6100-7100 range that were rejected at the factory. I have heard that the rejection rate during this period was about 10%, so probably at least 100 US test guns in this later range. Sorry no hard core proof. Comments? TH

Ron Wood · 04-13-2007, 10:48 AM

Tom,
That theory is probably as good as any since no records have been found to verify what actually was delivered when. My alternative thought is that the 6100-7100 range was a SWAG based on then known serial numbers. I think that the serial numbers were not necessarily contiguous and there are valid Test pieces above and below that range. There are well over one hundred known 1900 American Eagle Lugers with serial numbers all the way up to close to 8000 that do not bear the GERMANY stamp and have the TD lever numbered on the left flat . Contract overrun in anticipation an additional order? Who knows? And how did they get into the US without the GERMANY stamp? Something that probably will always remain a mystery and give us something to speculate about.

cirelaw · 04-14-2007, 04:55 PM

This would make a good spy novel!!

cirelaw · 04-17-2007, 10:35 AM

RON, I congradulate you, Finally someone, with authority has step up and layed out in one paragraph, what appears finally to set the recor straight, based on the sources available, and proved that one characturistic isnt definitive, And before you purchase a so called, test luger, you should check with those who have no financial interest, and you might have it examined at a reasonable cost to respected persons like mr Simpson,

04-12-2007, 05:00 PM	#1
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Another 1900 test? luger for sale on Auction Arms The mistory deepeens, A 1900 'test' luger, serial number, #7172. has appeared, with no import/Germany stamp,If its legit, it was definitly teste allot, The auction number is #7955323, If this is legit, it lends creadence, that the Test lugers werent restricted to 6000 to 7000, I would invite any comments, Im beginning to beleive the definition of 'THE 1900 US TEST TRIALS, will need a volume 2, Keep serching

04-12-2007, 06:04 PM	#3
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	Eric, This Luger is a very good candidate for being an authentic Test Luger. The Bannerman purchase included #7147 and this gun is only a few numbers higher. The exact serial number range of the model 1900 Lugers provided to the US for testing has been lost in time, but there is considerable evidence that the 6100-7100 range is doubtful at best with serial numbers both above and below that range exhibiting Test characteristics. I am of the belief that some Lugers with the proper characteristics in the 7100-7199 range have a very high probability of being Test Trial Lugers. Thank you for spotting this one. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-12-2007, 07:02 PM	#6
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	Pete, The ad states that the TD is stamped on the left flat. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-13-2007, 08:34 AM	#9
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Ron, Pete, et al, It's been my observation that those M1900s in the 7100 range with the last 2 digits stamped on the left side of TD lever (vise the normal commerical lower edge location) and not marked "Germany" on the front of frame, are probably replacements to make the 1000 gun total of the US test contract, for pistols in the 6100-7100 range that were rejected at the factory. I have heard that the rejection rate during this period was about 10%, so probably at least 100 US test guns in this later range. Sorry no hard core proof. Comments? TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

04-13-2007, 10:48 AM	#10
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	Tom, That theory is probably as good as any since no records have been found to verify what actually was delivered when. My alternative thought is that the 6100-7100 range was a SWAG based on then known serial numbers. I think that the serial numbers were not necessarily contiguous and there are valid Test pieces above and below that range. There are well over one hundred known 1900 American Eagle Lugers with serial numbers all the way up to close to 8000 that do not bear the GERMANY stamp and have the TD lever numbered on the left flat . Contract overrun in anticipation an additional order? Who knows? And how did they get into the US without the GERMANY stamp? Something that probably will always remain a mystery and give us something to speculate about. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-12-2007, 05:01 PM	#2
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Sorry the luger is offered on 'AUCTION ARMS

04-12-2007, 06:16 PM	#4
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hard to tell from the glare in the photo if this one has the 2-digit serial number stamped on the flat, left side of its TD lever...definitely not stamped on the right side of the TD lever shaft... http://www.auctionarms.com/search/di...temnum=7955323 Looks like it has the Type 2 thumb safety lever...or is it a Type 3 ???

04-12-2007, 06:41 PM	#5
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	It then is a luger with history, its condition is obviosly signs of use and not abuse, You wonder how many hands have held this Piece of American History.

04-13-2007, 03:49 AM	#7
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	If I didnt already own one,I would definitly bid on a piece of American History

04-13-2007, 06:32 AM	#8
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Assuming every thing is correct, would this Luger make a good candidate for TEDS restoration?

04-14-2007, 04:55 PM	#11
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	This would make a good spy novel!!

04-17-2007, 10:35 AM	#12
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	RON, I congradulate you, Finally someone, with authority has step up and layed out in one paragraph, what appears finally to set the recor straight, based on the sources available, and proved that one characturistic isnt definitive, And before you purchase a so called, test luger, you should check with those who have no financial interest, and you might have it examined at a reasonable cost to respected persons like mr Simpson,