Promising AE Luger...

[Pete Ebbink]

Promising AE luger with no reserve on G-B :

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=40738324

I am trying to get together with the owner to look at this one in detail...

I am not interested as it does not have a Swiss cross on the chamber...

[Dwight Gruber]

Pete,

Let us all know the details, this is a potential Test Eagle...

--Dwight

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Dwight,

That was my thought as well...

I have asked for more photos also...

So far have not heard back, but it might just be the big Holiday weekend thing...

I will let you all know when I know more.

A drive down to see the gun is only 30 minutes each way for me...who knows...he might have a bunch of Swiss luger "out back" as well...

[Edward Tinker]

six days left, bidding may contiue to rise....

if an out of sequence Test, then I beleive anything under 2K is a good price...


Ed

[c3006]

I hit it a couple of licks I think the guy bidding now is serious.

[jamese]

Ed,
I dont think it will go for under 2K

[Pete Ebbink]

Heard back from the seller (Mr. John Baker).

Sounds like it is a US Test Eagle. It has no "Germany", has the last 2 digits of the serial number on the right side of the TD lever shaft, and has the type 2 thumb safety lever.

Their shop is open on Tuesday...I will travel down to look at it and get the serial number and will report condition as well...

[Edward Tinker]

Originally posted by jamese
Ed,
I dont think it will go for under 2K

[Pete Ebbink]

I will bring my digital camera and will shoot some better photos if the shop owner allows...

[Ron Wood]

A 7500 range Luger is quite a bit high to have the last two digits of the serial number on the right side of the take down lever shaft. If that is indeed the case, pictures will be most enlightening.

[Pete Ebbink]

Dwight and Ron W.,

Will take a close look at the numbers on the TD lever. Seller's email to me said they were on the round, right side...I will take photos, if allowed as well.

[Pete Ebbink]

Just got back from seeing this piece...

It is an out-of-range US test Eagle.

No Germany stampings, 2nd. type thumb safety lever, narrow grip safety, has 2-digits on the left side of the TD lever along the flat.

Serial number is # 7535 and there are "35" stamps all over the right parts.

I took it down completelely...but did not remove the firing pin assembly as it was full of old cosmoline and will take some soaking time to get it apart.

Barrel witness marks look like 1-strike and fully aligned with each other and there were no other barrel proofs. Barrel serial number does not display any "halo". No little Swiss cross on the barrel either.

Gun looks very honest and all factory original. The slight "cut" of the polished thumb safety area is well defined and shows slight hints of patina/oxidation.

There is some barrel wear along both sides of the barrel, on the left side frame panel, and on the front grip strap. Overall...I would call this one 90-92% finish, conservatively. Straw is strong but a little weak on the thumb safety lever. Straw looks factory original as well.

Barrel is shiney and has sharp rifling...very nice.

The left wooded grip panel as that little chip missing under the thumb safety lever. Both grips are number "35" and both have a small Imperial/Crown proof stamping...no " * " stampings.

There is a well defined "flamming bomb" proof in the front frame well as well as in front of the receiver lug. Gun's interior is in the white with some fine rust and patina.

Wooden magazine looks period correct, the pin does not appear to have been driven out, and the bottom is plain...no number or no Germany or no flamming bomb proof. Pin of magazine bottom is still fire-blued.

Slight traces of fire blue left on the front sight blade with strong fire blue remaining along the sear bar and the rear toggle pin.

Gun Shop says the gun was in a very old fellow's collection all of his life. His estate went to some wildlife foundation and the gun shop is selling the piece for the foundation. The gun was well cared for and looks like it was kept away safely for a very long time.

I took a few photos, but do not have permission to post them at this time...gun shop owner will let me know in the near future.

[Dwight Gruber]

Pete,

Thanks very much for the effort and the info.

--Dwight

[Ron Wood]

Excellent job. Hope you can post some pictures eventually.

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Ron,

I just reviewed my photos on my PC...all did not come into focus except one of the entire right side... Bummer...

[Tomathvl]

Pete,
Did you see where the seller added another statement that says another collector stated it's not a test eagle. He also quoted you by name.
Tom

[Edward Tinker]

Information added 12/01/2005 1:00:56 PM]
OK This is the last time I add to this description. I have been told by Pete Ebbink this is a Test Luger, another collector tells me it is not. Sincerely John Baker

That "another collector" is correct, from the stance of the books in print at this time.

I personnaly think there is a good possibility that the guns were not sequential, but taken off the racks and sent to America, meaning the numbers could be higher / lower for many of them, but would have to have the correct items to be a out of sequence test, i.e. close to the numbering, no germany stamp or other proof acceptance stamping, gernally take down lever is marked a certain way till a certain number then that was changed...


Ed

[Pete Ebbink]

It is an out-of-range Test Eagle...I hope someone wins at a good price...

If I wanted Lugers with birds on the chamber, I would have paid cash for this one and had the seller end his auction...

[Lugerdoc]

I've never seen Imperial accepted (Crown over a letter) grip safety type grips. What's the story? TH

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Tom,

Not sure if I know the answer...about the Imperial/Crown stamping...

The grips looked like they had been on the gun forever, very fine early DWM checkering and small 2-digits of the serial number on both grips. Wood smelled old as well...

Maybe Ron Wood can provide some input on the stampings...?