How many of you shoot your numbers matching Old Models?

[Dick Herman]

I have two 1900 American Eagle Lugers that I have shot. One is a US Test pistol and the other is a much later five digit serial number variation. Neither of these pistols were in prime condition when I fired them. I only put two clips of surplus 7.65mm Finish ammo through each.

I do not feel safe firing the 1900 with the flat recoil spring. I have always felt that the flat recoil spring design was an inferior design, apparently George Luger felt the same.

I have since restored the five digit serial numbered luger and added a Ideal stock/holster to it. I had planned to restore the AE Test but have since decided not to mess with history.

[sheepherder]

I have a 1900AE and it is in 'fair' condition. All matching, mismatched magazine. It had a broken firing pin guide when I received it. It's 7.65 so it's not quite as volatile as 9mm, but I still would not shoot it. It has not been pampered by previous owners, and shows it.

But I didn't buy it as a shooter. I bought it to study. It is clearly more meticulously machined than a P08. I can appreciate fine machinery. When it was new it would have been a thing of beauty.

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

I have a 1900AE... It is clearly more meticulously machined than a P08. ...When it was new it would have been a thing of beauty.

Yes, I was surprised when I received my 1900! I remember commenting on the thread in which I introduced it to the forum that hand cycling its action felt like closing the door on a Rolls Royce!
p.s. I have an extra leaf recoil spring that I actually bought perhaps a couple of years before the pistol came along, so at least this anxiety could be eliminated if I chose to send some rounds downrange. It was priced low enough to be able to be passed on to someone else, or hold in reserve as a spare after I found a 1900.