1900 Luger

[Kyrie]

Hi Bill,


There were indeed two separate deliveries for 1900 Test Lugers. The first shipment of 800 Lugers was received on October 26, 1900 (at Governor Island, New York), and the second shipment was received (also at Governor Island, New York) on October 29, 1900.


In terms of serial numbers, Michael Reese II, in his â??1900 Luger U.S. Test Trialsâ?�, writes, â??Evidence received from the Bureau of Accounting sets the serial number range of the 1,000 test pieces at 6099 - 7098.â?� Given the amount of primary source material he included in his work, Iâ??m inclined to accept his serial number range.


The defining characteristics of the 1900 US Army Test Trail Lugers are these:

Barrel of 4.75 inches.

Chambered for the 7.65 mm Parabellum.

Great Seal of the US over the chamber.

Serial numbered in the commercial style, save for the number on the take down latch, which is on the rounded stub of the take down latch and visible from the right side of the pistol.

â??Flaming Bombâ?� DWM inspection stamp on the bottom of the barrel extension, in front of the recoil lug,


Additionally, the 1900 Test Lugers should *not* be stamped â??Germanyâ?�, or have *any* proof marks.


All of these characteristics (both those that should be present and those that should not) are important. The 1900 Test Luger is one of the more commonly counterfeited Lugers, using Commercial Lugers of the same time period. Folks - be very careful if offered a Test Luger - if it does not meet the above profile it is likely a forgery.

Best regards,

Kyrie