American Eagle Luger

Ben Evans · 11-10-2013, 05:35 PM

Gents

Is this a American Eagle Luger? Can anyone give me any info on it? When it was made etc, there are no numbers on the parts, is this normal for one of these guns? Again many thanks for any info

Cheers

Ben

Edward Tinker · 11-10-2013, 06:15 PM

It is one of the post war Mitchell Stainless lugers, that changed names several times.

It is not one of the 1970's Mausers

Ben M. · 11-10-2013, 10:22 PM

made in texas by aimco, i recall.

Edward Tinker · 11-10-2013, 11:30 PM

Rick, but if its Aimco, it might also say Stoeger, but Aimco, Mitchel, etc, they are all the same owner / maker in Texas....

http://www.lugerforum.com/lugerinox.html

http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...d-Aimco-Lugers

Ben Evans · 11-11-2013, 02:55 AM

Gents, many thanks for the info, facinating stuff and I am learning more and more about these enigmatic as I go along. I am selling all of my other deacs and belt buckles and my main focus of collecting will be lugers. Again really appreciate the info

Cheers

Ben

Sergio Natali · 11-11-2013, 10:29 AM

Mitchell Arms stainless steel Lugers were manufactured by a company in Texas, then I read that Stoeger who owns the trade marked name "Luger" sued Mitchell Arms for trade mark infringement. Mitchell Arms settled the suit by dropping the pistol from production, after that, if I'm not wrong Stoeger began offering that sort of gun with their name stamped on it.

Some collectors apparently get Mitchell and Stoeger Lugers mostly for curiosity or for their "future" collector value as they are no longer made, BUT, for what I've heard both the Mitchell and the Stoeger stainless steel luger were not that good at all. IMHO.

ithacaartist · 11-11-2013, 02:37 PM

This one looks fairly good as far as the flatness of the surfaces and sharpness of the edges, not extremely "wavy" looking as a result of buffing.

The pic of the upper grip strap illustrates the result of their cheap-o machine-applied checkering, as I was trying to describe in a post the other day.

Somewhere, among all the specs and different brands, is a run of nice, straight ones that work OK. Although the one I bought from a fellow forum-ite is one of the wavy ones that had some issues--loose grips, slightly peened toggle ears on the frame, and an extractor that needed a bit of filing to re-shape its claw so as not to karate-chop the empty on an edge on the left side, on its way out--but I got it sorted out and it now functions just fine. I'm considering dressing the wavy surface with filing or block sanding to improve its appearance. The good part of this project is that it does not need to re-blued afterwards, just need to install, say, a #4 finish/grain overall!

I've seen pics of ones that were date stamped over the chamber, in addition to the great seal. 1991 or 1992-ish.

I'm intrigued by the ones mentioned as .30 Luger, w/pencil taper to the barrel. Anyone have a pic of one?

Sammler · 11-11-2013, 02:55 PM

Thank you all for an interesting and detailed discussion of the Stoeger and Mitchell stainless steel Luger pistols.

I recall some years back that NAPCA (National Automatic Pistol Collectors`Association), offered a limited number of similar Lugers to their membership. They had the American eagle on the receiver ring, and a special serial number. I am not sure any longer if these were made in Texas or in California. Anyway, an interesting variation for the collector of these pistols.

ithacaartist · 11-11-2013, 11:29 PM

Thanks Rick, I checked them out, and the last several pages were comparisons of a stainless 1900 to a "real" one. It is a CFM, same as mine, which is a P.08.

It's interesting to see the differences in how these were put together. For example, comparing the stainless side plate to the original, on the back side, one can see where the tempered, offset little bar that holds in the trigger lever was replaced with a roll pin, on which the lever pivots rather loosely (on mine). The dished toggles are regular stainless P.08 toggles, dished for effect. I'm also a little disappointed that the knurling around the circumferences of the knob is absent on the stainless ones. Though other stainless variations are different, mine, like the 1900, has a straight body extractor--without the lobes. These differences can be reasonably explained by the difference they'd make for the bottom line when building these things.

They remind me of a cheap S.O.B. for whom I used to do T&M contract work, constructing some of the audio-kinetic sculptures designed by George Rhoads. Since he paid by the hour, "That isn't necessary." was his most repeated line. Every lick with a file was his nemesis.

John Sabato · 11-12-2013, 10:31 AM

To all new collectors, and all old collectors who didn't already know...

ALL the post-war stainless steel Lugers, ...I REPEAT ALL the stainless steel Lugers regardless of the name they were marketed under, or sold by, (Mitchell, Stoeger, Etc.) were manufactured by the same plant in Houston Texas. They were manufactured in the 1990's.

The name of the company changed several times... "AIMCO" is just one of those names.

I personally wish that the product had been more successful... I always liked the way they looked.

ithacaartist · 11-12-2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Sabato

I personally wish that the product had been more successful... I always liked the way they looked.

+1 on that, John. Timing was really bad for these. They obviously could have used more development of the grand concert of design, tolerances, and materials. It would seem that the concept might have been sound--applying modern technology such as CNC and quality casting--but a shame to offer a line which was still having the bugs worked out of it. Another forum member once advised that the examples produced towards the end work best and have the best outward finish. I do like the 1900 pictured in the gallery, as far as configurations go.

johnii · 12-12-2013, 02:03 PM

Mitchell did a repro of P-08s.

They are modern repros of a pistol that is all over to buy in original form. I had a Mitchell and it was not a firing pistol as I found out at the range. It was shooting a yard high at 10 yards and it jammed with regular factory ammunition from S&B FMJ. I was "learned a lesson" that Mitchell or Texas in Huston had tried to recreate a P-08 without success or value.

11-10-2013, 05:35 PM	#1
Ben Evans User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: UK Posts: 94 Thanks: 31 Thanked 25 Times in 12 Posts	American Eagle Luger Gents Is this a American Eagle Luger? Can anyone give me any info on it? When it was made etc, there are no numbers on the parts, is this normal for one of these guns? Again many thanks for any info Cheers Ben Attached Thumbnails

11-10-2013, 06:15 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,930 Thanks: 2,030 Thanked 4,527 Times in 2,090 Posts	It is one of the post war Mitchell Stainless lugers, that changed names several times. It is not one of the 1970's Mausers __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

11-11-2013, 10:29 AM	#6
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Mitchell Arms stainless steel Lugers were manufactured by a company in Texas, then I read that Stoeger who owns the trade marked name "Luger" sued Mitchell Arms for trade mark infringement. Mitchell Arms settled the suit by dropping the pistol from production, after that, if I'm not wrong Stoeger began offering that sort of gun with their name stamped on it. Some collectors apparently get Mitchell and Stoeger Lugers mostly for curiosity or for their "future" collector value as they are no longer made, BUT, for what I've heard both the Mitchell and the Stoeger stainless steel luger were not that good at all. IMHO. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

11-11-2013, 02:37 PM	#7
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,342 Thanks: 7,264 Thanked 2,569 Times in 1,363 Posts	This one looks fairly good as far as the flatness of the surfaces and sharpness of the edges, not extremely "wavy" looking as a result of buffing. The pic of the upper grip strap illustrates the result of their cheap-o machine-applied checkering, as I was trying to describe in a post the other day. Somewhere, among all the specs and different brands, is a run of nice, straight ones that work OK. Although the one I bought from a fellow forum-ite is one of the wavy ones that had some issues--loose grips, slightly peened toggle ears on the frame, and an extractor that needed a bit of filing to re-shape its claw so as not to karate-chop the empty on an edge on the left side, on its way out--but I got it sorted out and it now functions just fine. I'm considering dressing the wavy surface with filing or block sanding to improve its appearance. The good part of this project is that it does not need to re-blued afterwards, just need to install, say, a #4 finish/grain overall! I've seen pics of ones that were date stamped over the chamber, in addition to the great seal. 1991 or 1992-ish. I'm intrigued by the ones mentioned as .30 Luger, w/pencil taper to the barrel. Anyone have a pic of one? __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

11-11-2013, 02:55 PM	#8
Sammler User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	NAPCA stainless "Luger" Thank you all for an interesting and detailed discussion of the Stoeger and Mitchell stainless steel Luger pistols. I recall some years back that NAPCA (National Automatic Pistol Collectors`Association), offered a limited number of similar Lugers to their membership. They had the American eagle on the receiver ring, and a special serial number. I am not sure any longer if these were made in Texas or in California. Anyway, an interesting variation for the collector of these pistols.

11-10-2013, 10:22 PM	#3
Ben M. User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Retired to Naples, FL. Posts: 488 Thanks: 90 Thanked 123 Times in 83 Posts	made in texas by aimco, i recall.

11-10-2013, 11:30 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,930 Thanks: 2,030 Thanked 4,527 Times in 2,090 Posts	Rick, but if its Aimco, it might also say Stoeger, but Aimco, Mitchel, etc, they are all the same owner / maker in Texas.... http://www.lugerforum.com/lugerinox.html http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...d-Aimco-Lugers

11-11-2013, 02:55 AM	#5
Ben Evans User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: UK Posts: 94 Thanks: 31 Thanked 25 Times in 12 Posts	Gents, many thanks for the info, facinating stuff and I am learning more and more about these enigmatic as I go along. I am selling all of my other deacs and belt buckles and my main focus of collecting will be lugers. Again really appreciate the info Cheers Ben

11-11-2013, 11:29 PM	#9
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,342 Thanks: 7,264 Thanked 2,569 Times in 1,363 Posts	Thanks Rick, I checked them out, and the last several pages were comparisons of a stainless 1900 to a "real" one. It is a CFM, same as mine, which is a P.08. It's interesting to see the differences in how these were put together. For example, comparing the stainless side plate to the original, on the back side, one can see where the tempered, offset little bar that holds in the trigger lever was replaced with a roll pin, on which the lever pivots rather loosely (on mine). The dished toggles are regular stainless P.08 toggles, dished for effect. I'm also a little disappointed that the knurling around the circumferences of the knob is absent on the stainless ones. Though other stainless variations are different, mine, like the 1900, has a straight body extractor--without the lobes. These differences can be reasonably explained by the difference they'd make for the bottom line when building these things. They remind me of a cheap S.O.B. for whom I used to do T&M contract work, constructing some of the audio-kinetic sculptures designed by George Rhoads. Since he paid by the hour, "That isn't necessary." was his most repeated line. Every lick with a file was his nemesis. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

11-12-2013, 10:31 AM	#10
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	To all new collectors, and all old collectors who didn't already know... ALL the post-war stainless steel Lugers, ...I REPEAT ALL the stainless steel Lugers regardless of the name they were marketed under, or sold by, (Mitchell, Stoeger, Etc.) were manufactured by the same plant in Houston Texas. They were manufactured in the 1990's. The name of the company changed several times... "AIMCO" is just one of those names. I personally wish that the product had been more successful... I always liked the way they looked. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

12-12-2013, 02:03 PM	#12
johnii User Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 52 Thanks: 13 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Mitchell did a repro of P-08s. They are modern repros of a pistol that is all over to buy in original form. I had a Mitchell and it was not a firing pistol as I found out at the range. It was shooting a yard high at 10 yards and it jammed with regular factory ammunition from S&B FMJ. I was "learned a lesson" that Mitchell or Texas in Huston had tried to recreate a P-08 without success or value.