US Test Lugers

In various reference texts, I have read that the original 1000 US Army test Lugers were:

a. consecutively numbered, (about 6100 to 7099)

b. skip serial numbers, to about 7500.

Anyone know the facts?


How is a 1900 American Eagle Luger (numbered in the above number range) differentiated from a US Test piece, assuming it does not have a "Germany" marking?


Thanks

[Johnny Peppers]

So far the facts as to the actual serial numbers are not known. A few of the characteristics of the Test Trials Lugers are the lack of the GERMANY stamp, lack of proofs, and the takedown lever being numbered on the round of the right side. There are pistols in the very early 6000 range that have all these characteristics, and pistols 6052 and 6054 were presentation pieces with 6054 going to G.H.Powell who was instrumental in the Powell Cartridge Indicating Device being fitted to fifty of the Model 1902 Lugers.

Model 1900 AE pistols right up to serial number 8000 are known without the GERMANY stamp and no proofs. It will probably remain for someone to find the list of serial numbers somewhere in the National Archives to know the true identity of these pistols.