1900 AE questions

I was hoping to get some opinions on a 1900 American Eagle. The SN is 6048, and there are no proofs on it. It also is not stamped with "Germany." I am guessing that this is one of the 1000 military test Lugers.


The range of 6100-7100 is not set in stone is it?

Do you feel that this is a legit test Luger?

What is the going price range on a test piece(if that is what this is)?


Thanks for your help.

Schultz, The prime characteristics of the US test M1900 lugers are that they were not required to be marked "Germany" under the serial number on the front of the frame and bear no test fire proofing and that the take down lever was numbered on the right side round, rather than on the left side, as is usual, and most are serialized in the 6099 thru 6198 range. It is though that perhaps 100 more were shipped above this range (up to 72xx) to fill in for rejects. Steve Fuller documents 770 serials that Bannerman bought from the US government in 1906 (6167-6196, 6282, 6361-7108 & 7147) in his book "US MARTIAL & COLLECTOR ARMS" page 44. If a M1900AE is not one of these, it is difficult to establish it as a US test piece since they were scattered thru the 2000 to 20000 SN range, and any not destin for the US market, were not required to be "GERMANY" marked.

It is easily high 80s as far as condition with a very shiney bore. It is all original and has not been screwed with. Any thoughts on value?


Thanks again.

[Steve]

Stuart,


Going prices for these AE Lugers vary; I have seen some as low as $600 all the way up to $2500 for the non-test models.

If you want an idea of retail prices go visit World of Lugers or Simpsons from the Links & Resources page.


Regards,

Steve

[bill m]

I have been told that all 1900 American Eagle Lugers were marked Germany they were a test piece? Also, the last 100 were suppose to have the last two digits of the serial number on the left outside flat side of the takedown lever. I have 7735 and have been told numerous times that this is a test piece because of the 35 on the left flat of the takedown lever and no German and no proofs. In Auto mag a while back there was a couple even higher than mine with these same characteristics. The old rule is that 6100 to 7100 is the established lot, but people have told me that there are some lower and higher than these and that if you run into a 1900 American Eagle without proofs, no Germany, and marked on the round right side, or the left flat side of the takedown lever, you more than likely have a test gun, but, you might have a hard time convincing some people that it is. What do you think??

[Kyrie]

I confess I'd be one of the people you'd have a hard time convincing :-(


Best regards,


Kyrie

[bill m]

I meant to say "all 1900 American Eagles were marked Germany unless they were a test piece". Sorry about that!


Have any of you ever personally seen a 1900 American Eagle that was not marked Germany and had proofs? How about not marked Germany and did not have the takedown lever marked with the last two digits on the round (rt side) or flat (left side)?

[Johnny Peppers]

The fact that the U.S.Government bought 1000 of the 7.65mm Luger pistols is known. Past that there are very few facts. Michael Reese indicates that information from the Bureau of Accounting puts the serial number range from 6099 to 7098. Scott Meadows indicates that the serial number range is "approximately" 6000 to 7500. Luger pistol No.6009 is not stamped GERMANY, but the serial number placement on the take down lever is not recorded. No.6018 has no GERMANY and the take down lever is numbered on the round. Pistols numbered as high as 7976 still have no GERMANY, but the number on the take down lever has been moved to the flat around 7300, and then to the bottom in the commercial placement around 7800. It is know what cavalry troops got the Test Trials pistols, and how many they got, and it may be that some day the serial numbers issued to them will come to light.

So will a piece that is


1)not marked "Germany,"

2)has no proofs,

3)has the last 2 digits of the SN marked on the right receiver side of the takedown (round portion),


a true test piece of not? Remember SN is 6048.


Thanks to all

[Johnny Peppers]

Serial No's 6052 and 6054 were cased presentation pieces from DWM to William F. Reed and G. H. Powell. Mr. Powell was responsible for the Powell Cartridge Indicating Device or "Cartridge Counter" Luger. If anyone has Bender's Luger holster book, there is suppose to be information on the Reed presentation piece on page 527.

The Test Trials pistols were not a seperate series, but were simply taken from commercial production, and the actual numbers may never be known.