Value of DWM "American Eagle" Artillery

Rod · 03-10-2004, 12:09 PM

I'm a new member to the forum and I need some help in identifing (and value)of a DWM American Eagle artillery model. Here is the info: Serial # 31,5xx, cal 7.65 , 8" artillery barrel serial# matchs frame and witness marks straight. Stamped "GERMANY" in front of frame.Weapon has a grip safety and a gold bead type of sight marked "KING" Proof marks appear to be "crown or star over N" Would rate at 95% Any help would be deeply appreciated. Thank you. Rod

John Sabato · 03-10-2004, 04:22 PM

Welcome to the Lugerforum Rod.

Photos would be very helpful in determining the type of Luger you have... and a value without photos would not be very accurate. Please try to post photos of both sides and the top of the gun for a more accurate evaluation. If you need help with this, there is a photo upload tutorial at the top of the Site Help & Feedback forum... and if that doesn't work for you, then ask for help.

The "GERMANY" stamp indicates that it was a commercial pistol intended for export to an English speaking country... most likely the USA.

I have never personally heard of a DWM American Eagle artillery model, and never one with a grip safety... perhaps someone else could comment about that... but it seems as if this was a commercial pistol manufactured sometime after World War 1 but before WW2 for the American market. The gold bead front sight would be an aftermarket sight and not orginal to the pistol that was added by the vendor here in the USA or by some previous owner.

Does the gun have any other accessories? Does the magazine or magazines have a matching number on the bottom to the serial number of the gun? Is there a holster or shoulder stock? If so, how are they marked?

Is there a letter character underneath the serial number on the front of the grip frame?

Check back in a day or so and give those who love to research these things time to do that and then comment.

Once again, welcome to the Lugerforum.

George Anderson · 03-10-2004, 05:01 PM

Rod, check your private messages. You can do this by hitting the "my profile" button at the top of your screen.

Ron Wood · 03-11-2004, 12:26 AM

Rod,

I am sure George gave you a great analysis by private message. But since you asked your question on the Forum I thought I might provide a few observations and give others the opportunity to chime in.

A serial number of 31,5xx places your Luger fairly early in the 1906 American Eagle production, certainly well before the advent of the artillery model in 1913. Also, the serial number is a bit high for the known examples of 1906 Lugers manufactured with a stock lug, so that makes the connection to an artillery style Luger even a bit more difficult. Does your Luger have the artillery type rear sight on the barrel and is there a stock lug? John has correctly stated that the King sight is an aftermarket item, but period correct and a neat addition. It is possible that this was a special order Luger with a custom barrel length, possibly part of a multi-barrel length set. That is a long shot and depending upon the answers to the questions I posed, it seems more likely to be a gunsmith customization of a 1906 American Eagle. I would really like to see pictures since it sounds like a very interesting and neat piece.

03-10-2004, 12:09 PM	#1
Rod User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Value of DWM "American Eagle" Artillery I'm a new member to the forum and I need some help in identifing (and value)of a DWM American Eagle artillery model. Here is the info: Serial # 31,5xx, cal 7.65 , 8" artillery barrel serial# matchs frame and witness marks straight. Stamped "GERMANY" in front of frame.Weapon has a grip safety and a gold bead type of sight marked "KING" Proof marks appear to be "crown or star over N" Would rate at 95% Any help would be deeply appreciated. Thank you. Rod

03-10-2004, 04:22 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Welcome to the Lugerforum Rod. Photos would be very helpful in determining the type of Luger you have... and a value without photos would not be very accurate. Please try to post photos of both sides and the top of the gun for a more accurate evaluation. If you need help with this, there is a photo upload tutorial at the top of the Site Help & Feedback forum... and if that doesn't work for you, then ask for help. The "GERMANY" stamp indicates that it was a commercial pistol intended for export to an English speaking country... most likely the USA. I have never personally heard of a DWM American Eagle artillery model, and never one with a grip safety... perhaps someone else could comment about that... but it seems as if this was a commercial pistol manufactured sometime after World War 1 but before WW2 for the American market. The gold bead front sight would be an aftermarket sight and not orginal to the pistol that was added by the vendor here in the USA or by some previous owner. Does the gun have any other accessories? Does the magazine or magazines have a matching number on the bottom to the serial number of the gun? Is there a holster or shoulder stock? If so, how are they marked? Is there a letter character underneath the serial number on the front of the grip frame? Check back in a day or so and give those who love to research these things time to do that and then comment. Once again, welcome to the Lugerforum. __________________ 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..."*

03-11-2004, 12:26 AM	#4
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: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	Rod, I am sure George gave you a great analysis by private message. But since you asked your question on the Forum I thought I might provide a few observations and give others the opportunity to chime in. A serial number of 31,5xx places your Luger fairly early in the 1906 American Eagle production, certainly well before the advent of the artillery model in 1913. Also, the serial number is a bit high for the known examples of 1906 Lugers manufactured with a stock lug, so that makes the connection to an artillery style Luger even a bit more difficult. Does your Luger have the artillery type rear sight on the barrel and is there a stock lug? John has correctly stated that the King sight is an aftermarket item, but period correct and a neat addition. It is possible that this was a special order Luger with a custom barrel length, possibly part of a multi-barrel length set. That is a long shot and depending upon the answers to the questions I posed, it seems more likely to be a gunsmith customization of a 1906 American Eagle. I would really like to see pictures since it sounds like a very interesting and neat piece. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

03-10-2004, 05:01 PM	#3
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,531 Times in 788 Posts	Rod, check your private messages. You can do this by hitting the "my profile" button at the top of your screen.