American Eagle 1900 (military)

[phoenix]

Kenyon's 'Lugers at Random' states that the pistols supplied by DWM to the US Army were approximately 1,000 pieces numbered between 6100 and 7100 (approx.). Mine is devoid of proof marks and the 'Germany' mark but it is numbered 7431. My album is at http://gallery.rennlist.com/lugergal...ame=SAP-AM1900

Any comments? Thanks!

Steve

[Navy]

A very handsome 1900, but not very likely a test eagle by virtue of SN.

Tom A.

[Ron Wood]

Thank you for posting your serial number. I have added it to my list of Test Eagles. That makes 28 examples in the "above the range" category that extend from 7112 to 7823. All of these examples share the characteristics of the
Test series (no proofs or Germany markings) but fall outside of the published 6100-7100 range. There is considerable controversy and conjecture about these "above the range" Lugers, and if you search the Forum you will find a lot of posts dealing with this subject.

[wterrell]

Phoenix,
What is it about the pistol that convinces you that it is a 'test'?

[phoenix]

Hi Wes,

American Eagles are not really my subject, however I have been following the debate here and also going through all the reference books I have and I'm still forming my personal opinion. At this stage all I can say is that I believe that AM 1900 pistols that were not proofed in any way could not have been sold commercially either in Germany or to the US. I called it 'military' in fact and not 'test'. At this moment in time things are what they are but I am sure that there is more information waiting to be unearthed that will shed light on these 'out of range' 1900s.

All the best,
Steve

[Pete Ebbink]

It looks like Steve's pistol has the 2-digit serial numbers on the left side of the take-down lever.

Wasn't this the difference C. Kenyon wrote in his 2nd. book when he "postulated" that a 2nd. smaller batch (i.e. 100) of 1900 Test Eagles were issued... after the first large batch with the number on the right side of the lever shaft...?

Regards,

Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

[Dwight Gruber]

[quote]Originally posted by phoenix:
<strong>...I believe that AM 1900 pistols that were not proofed in any way could not have been sold commercially either in Germany or to the US...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Steve,

My 1900AE serial# 13499 bears no proofs of any kind. It is, however, stammped GERMANY.

--Dwight

[Greg]

[quote]Originally posted by Dwight Gruber:
<strong>
Steve,

My 1900AE serial# 13499 bears no proofs of any kind. It is, however, stammped GERMANY.

--Dwight</strong><hr></blockquote>

Steve,

FYI. My 1900AE is like Dwight's, except the serial is 15xxx

[Ron Wood]

Dwight & Greg,
That is correct for your 1900 AE Lugers. 1900 Eagles may or may not be proofed. Most of the later 1900 Eagles will not have proof marks. All commercial Eagles will be stamped GERMANY.

[wterrell]

There are only two types of AE's in the world:
Those AE commercials stamped 'Germany';
All the rest are 'Tests'.

?

[phoenix]

Datig states that "The only way to distinguish those of the official purchase is the noting of a small Ordinance bomb type marking which may be found on the underside of the receiver just forward of the locking stud. In some cases only the bomb will be found, while in other cases a number may accompany it. The bomb marking may also be seen on the inside of the trigger plate or side plate and in the well in the forward part of the frame between the locking bolt and the feed ramp. Other than this small bomb marking, which does not appear on the outer surfaces of the pistol, there is no other known manner in which the U.S. Government purchase pieces may be distinguished from the other "American Eagle" Lugers" (The Luger Pistol, p.69)

I have just checked my AM 1900 Serial 7431 and it does have the mark (Bomb and "6") on the underside of the receiver just forward of the locking stud that Datig refers to. It also has one (without number) on the inside of the side plate. Please check your pistols and let me know if you find it to.

Cheers,
Steve

[phoenix]

I've posted a photo of the AM 1900 'Bomb' proof mark at: http://gallery.rennlist.com/lugergal...1900_proof_mkd

Steve

[wterrell]

Phoenix,
The book is quite old. Are you sure that the information is still considered accurate?

[phoenix]

It was first published in 1955. My copy is from the 1962 printing. I can't vouch for its accuracy Wes; I simply quoted it in view of the proof mark I noticed.

Cheers,
Steve

[Pete Ebbink]

Hello Steve,

You might want to read the discussion thread titled "Flamming Bomb Proof" in this section that I started and ran back on 11-05-02. Forum folks shared some good info. when I asked about whether the "flamming bomb" proof mark was only seen in Test lugers or not. I think the consensus was "not"...

Regards,

Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

[Edward Tinker]

What the above guys alluded to, is that many of the older books have out and out wrong things in them.

At the time, they were thought to be correct, or the leading theory at the time, but time has shown them to have errors.

The newer a book, the less likely there will be glaring errors, but the older the book, there might be some obvious errors, known t many collectors, but not newer collectors.

{I too like Datig and Jones, as they are some of the first books!}

[secopete]

I have a 1900AE,ser# 9646,DWM,with bombs stamped under the receiver and in the trigger well.It seems to be out of the accepted ser # range but I guess there is some question concerning that range.I have had this gun since 1950 and just now am trying to pin down it's exact heritage.Any help would be appreciated.It als has Germany stamped on the front of the trigger guard.

[wterrell]

The flaming bombs are inspectors marks. They will appear at various places on a commercial. Your Luger has the American Eagle on the chamber and the Germany stamp on the front. It is an 1900 AE Commercial imported into the U.S. for sale to the sporting and gun buying public. It was not issued to the U.S. Army. It is probably in better condition that the test guns.

[secopete]

[quote]Originally posted by wes:
<strong>The flaming bombs are inspectors marks. They will appear at various places on a commercial. Your Luger has the American Eagle on the chamber and the Germany stamp on the front. It is an 1900 AE Commercial imported into the U.S. for sale to the sporting and gun buying public. It was not issued to the U.S. Army. It is probably in better condition that the test guns.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Thanks for the info Wes. The gun appears to be in excellent condition to my untrained eye.It has not been shot in 50 years that I know of.
What do you think the value range is of this luger?

secopete

[brucew]

Hi all,

For what its worth, my 1900 AE serial # 140xx has no external proofs, GERMANY and bomb over 7 on the bottom of receiver. Bomb in trigger well but not on side-plate. Interesting topic.

Have a great day

Bruce