M1900 AE Test Lugers, out of range

11-03-2005, 07:07 PM

Gentlemen,

I am new to this forum but not new to Lugers. I have been interested in them for many years.

The controversy over what constitutes the serial number range of the M1900 AE U.S. test Lugers I find especially interesting, as I may have started it.

In the late 1960s we did not have the excellent forums for the exchange of thoughts and ideas that are available today. What we did have was "The Luger Journal", published by Robert Marvin.

During that time period I had in my collection a M1900 AE that exhibited the characteristics of the test Lugers. The serial number was 6099, a nice example except the complete toggle and breech block assembly were mis-matched. This information was published in the Journal.

If I may, I have two questions.

(1) Have any M1900 Lugers been discovered, falling within the (accepted?) serial number range of 6100-7100 that do not have the characteristics attributed to the test series?

(2) Does anyone have a copy of "The Luger Journal" containing the information on serial number 6099 and would be willing to post it? I no longer have it available.

Thank You,

R.L. (Rick) Van Meter

Navy · 11-03-2005, 11:24 PM

Hi Rick,

I have a complete set of the Luger Journal; Tom A.

Dwight Gruber · 12-01-2005, 01:07 AM

Tom,

Its been the better part of a month, if you are back home it would be useful to see the article. It has just occurred to me to wonder, if the complete upper is mismatched, the number on the barrel will be interesting to see if it too falls in the Test Eagle range.

--Dwight

Edward Tinker · 12-01-2005, 09:00 AM

Also Rick, this subject has been discussed on this forum, there might be some information for you if you do a search here. I know for a fact that answer to your number 1 is "not yet".

My feeling is that over the years, if there were any test lugers that were within the Bannerman range that did not meet the critera, they have been 'fixed' by well-meaning and otherwise collectors and dealers over the years.

Ed

12-01-2005, 11:25 AM

Dwight,

When M1900 A.E. No. 6099 was in my collection the parts that were mismatched were the complete toggle and breech block assembly. I don't remember what the serial number of that assembly was. The frame, receiver, barrel, and the remaining parts were numbered 6099.

In my submission to the Luger Journal the serial number of the toggle and breech block assembly was included.

Fair winds and a fast ship.

Creedmoor

Dwight Gruber · 12-01-2005, 01:05 PM

Creedmoor,

Thanks for that, I misunderstood your original message. Numbers on the toggle train, being only the last two digits, won't reveal much...

--Dwight

Lugerdoc · 12-02-2005, 09:44 AM

Rick, Although #6099 is not on the Bannerman list or quoted in Michael Reese's "US test trials" book, I have seen some other listings that show it as the beginning of the standard test eagles. TH

11-03-2005, 07:07 PM	#1
Creedmoor Guest Posts: n/a	M1900 AE Test Lugers, out of range Gentlemen, I am new to this forum but not new to Lugers. I have been interested in them for many years. The controversy over what constitutes the serial number range of the M1900 AE U.S. test Lugers I find especially interesting, as I may have started it. In the late 1960s we did not have the excellent forums for the exchange of thoughts and ideas that are available today. What we did have was "The Luger Journal", published by Robert Marvin. During that time period I had in my collection a M1900 AE that exhibited the characteristics of the test Lugers. The serial number was 6099, a nice example except the complete toggle and breech block assembly were mis-matched. This information was published in the Journal. If I may, I have two questions. (1) Have any M1900 Lugers been discovered, falling within the (accepted?) serial number range of 6100-7100 that do not have the characteristics attributed to the test series? (2) Does anyone have a copy of "The Luger Journal" containing the information on serial number 6099 and would be willing to post it? I no longer have it available. Thank You, R.L. (Rick) Van Meter

12-01-2005, 09:00 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	Also Rick, this subject has been discussed on this forum, there might be some information for you if you do a search here. I know for a fact that answer to your number 1 is "not yet". My feeling is that over the years, if there were any test lugers that were within the Bannerman range that did not meet the critera, they have been 'fixed' by well-meaning and otherwise collectors and dealers over the years. Ed __________________ 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

12-02-2005, 09:44 AM	#7
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Rick, Although #6099 is not on the Bannerman list or quoted in Michael Reese's "US test trials" book, I have seen some other listings that show it as the beginning of the standard test eagles. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

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11-03-2005, 11:24 PM	#2
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Hi Rick, I have a complete set of the Luger Journal; Tom A.

12-01-2005, 01:07 AM	#3
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Tom, Its been the better part of a month, if you are back home it would be useful to see the article. It has just occurred to me to wonder, if the complete upper is mismatched, the number on the barrel will be interesting to see if it too falls in the Test Eagle range. --Dwight

12-01-2005, 11:25 AM	#5
Creedmoor Guest Posts: n/a	Dwight, When M1900 A.E. No. 6099 was in my collection the parts that were mismatched were the complete toggle and breech block assembly. I don't remember what the serial number of that assembly was. The frame, receiver, barrel, and the remaining parts were numbered 6099. In my submission to the Luger Journal the serial number of the toggle and breech block assembly was included. Fair winds and a fast ship. Creedmoor

12-01-2005, 01:05 PM	#6
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Creedmoor, Thanks for that, I misunderstood your original message. Numbers on the toggle train, being only the last two digits, won't reveal much... --Dwight