Questions on 1900 America Eagle (test?)

Tim · 01-06-2009, 06:41 PM

I didn't say the presence of an eagle and lack of a "Germany" stamp made it a test eagle, only potential. With what appears to be no broad agreement among even the highly learned group here as to what constitute a test eagle if a pistol falls outside the Bannerman range, I think potential is a reasonable assertion. I have #6312 and when I purchased it a number of years ago, I felt I was buying a "Test Eagle". It has all the other characteristics of a test piece, but falls outside the Bannerman range. Dwight (and others) have done a magnificent job of cataloging these pistols. Some would say my #6312 is a test piece, some not. I think the same generally holds true for pistols outside of historically reported serial number ranges. If it has all the characteristics of a test piece, it could be. I think the best we can say about the 220 or 230 pistols NOT in the Bannerman serial range is a qualified maybe.
Tim

01-06-2009, 06:41 PM	#7
Tim User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Great North Woods of Wisconsin Posts: 100 Thanks: 7 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	I didn't say the presence of an eagle and lack of a "Germany" stamp made it a test eagle, only potential. With what appears to be no broad agreement among even the highly learned group here as to what constitute a test eagle if a pistol falls outside the Bannerman range, I think potential is a reasonable assertion. I have #6312 and when I purchased it a number of years ago, I felt I was buying a "Test Eagle". It has all the other characteristics of a test piece, but falls outside the Bannerman range. Dwight (and others) have done a magnificent job of cataloging these pistols. Some would say my #6312 is a test piece, some not. I think the same generally holds true for pistols outside of historically reported serial number ranges. If it has all the characteristics of a test piece, it could be. I think the best we can say about the 220 or 230 pistols NOT in the Bannerman serial range is a qualified maybe. Tim __________________ The intent of the second amendment was not to allow the private ownership of firearms. If it had been it would have said something like "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"...