1900 AE Question

Weasel505 · 05-20-2010, 08:23 PM

Hi all,

A friend of mine who knows not much about Lugers bought one and asked me to explain the markings. So, it appears to be a 1900 American Eagle, .30 cal., definately reblued, frame numbered 7121, other numbers mis-matched, no "Germany" stamp, and unnumbered barrel.

My question to you experten: Is 7121 in the Bannerman range? Could this be a reworked test Luger?

I know it's a long shot, but I told him I'd ask the guys on the Luger forum site.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

alvin · 05-20-2010, 09:10 PM

Ron is not here. I looked up his article. 7121 is not in Bannerman.

I have never seen a Luger 1900 with unnumbered barrel. But consider this gun was made 110 years ago, it could go through a number of reworks in the past. But I have not seen many 1900 either, let's see what others say.

MFC · 05-21-2010, 12:51 AM

The large portion of the Bannerman list ends with S#7108, and then there is one lone higher S#7147 on the list. This gun S#7121, which falls between those numbers, may be a test luger, but as of now there is no way to know.

Weasel505 · 05-21-2010, 09:22 PM

Thank you to the two responders, but does no one else have an idea what this pistol is? I'm intrigued by the lack of a "Germany" stamp: that would be hard to grind or buff off without ruining the serial number too. And the SN is fine.

Could this be an example of a test Luger being beat to snot and later having been rebarelled and reblued? And with replaced parts?

This thing IS a 1900 AE, .30 cal; it has to have a story. Help me guess.

Thanks.

Bob

Dwight Gruber · 05-21-2010, 11:17 PM

All the reported Old Model (1900) American Eagles from sn 5978 through sn 7976 are reported with the GERMANY stamp absent. The reason for this is unknown.

Absence of a serial number on the barrel suggests barrel replacement. Is there a witness mark?

Check the underside of the receiver and the recoil lug, on Old Model Parabellums the serial number was stamped there.

--Dwight

drbuster · 05-22-2010, 10:47 AM

Bob, are the last two digits of the serial number stamped on the RIGHT side of the take down lever?

Ron Wood · 05-22-2010, 11:47 AM

Reported guns from 7108 on have he takedown numbered on the LEFT flat (with two outliers that are numbered on the left bottom - probably forcematched replacements). I would be surprised if this one is marked on the right. To date, there are 11 guns (including this one) reported from 7108 to 7147 of the Bannerman purchase. Chances of this one being an actual test piece is pretty high, but as always, if it is not on the Bannerman purchase list there is no way to know for sure.

05-20-2010, 08:23 PM	#1
Weasel505 User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1900 AE Question Hi all, A friend of mine who knows not much about Lugers bought one and asked me to explain the markings. So, it appears to be a 1900 American Eagle, .30 cal., definately reblued, frame numbered 7121, other numbers mis-matched, no "Germany" stamp, and unnumbered barrel. My question to you experten: Is 7121 in the Bannerman range? Could this be a reworked test Luger? I know it's a long shot, but I told him I'd ask the guys on the Luger forum site. Thanks in advance. Bob

05-21-2010, 12:51 AM	#3
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	The large portion of the Bannerman list ends with S#7108, and then there is one lone higher S#7147 on the list. This gun S#7121, which falls between those numbers, may be a test luger, but as of now there is no way to know. __________________ Mike C.

05-21-2010, 09:22 PM	#4
Weasel505 User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So that's it? Two comments? Thank you to the two responders, but does no one else have an idea what this pistol is? I'm intrigued by the lack of a "Germany" stamp: that would be hard to grind or buff off without ruining the serial number too. And the SN is fine. Could this be an example of a test Luger being beat to snot and later having been rebarelled and reblued? And with replaced parts? This thing IS a 1900 AE, .30 cal; it has to have a story. Help me guess. Thanks. Bob

05-20-2010, 09:10 PM	#2
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Ron is not here. I looked up his article. 7121 is not in Bannerman. I have never seen a Luger 1900 with unnumbered barrel. But consider this gun was made 110 years ago, it could go through a number of reworks in the past. But I have not seen many 1900 either, let's see what others say.

05-21-2010, 11:17 PM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	All the reported Old Model (1900) American Eagles from sn 5978 through sn 7976 are reported with the GERMANY stamp absent. The reason for this is unknown. Absence of a serial number on the barrel suggests barrel replacement. Is there a witness mark? Check the underside of the receiver and the recoil lug, on Old Model Parabellums the serial number was stamped there. --Dwight

05-22-2010, 10:47 AM	#6
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Bob, are the last two digits of the serial number stamped on the RIGHT side of the take down lever?

05-22-2010, 11:47 AM	#7
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	Reported guns from 7108 on have he takedown numbered on the LEFT flat (with two outliers that are numbered on the left bottom - probably forcematched replacements). I would be surprised if this one is marked on the right. To date, there are 11 guns (including this one) reported from 7108 to 7147 of the Bannerman purchase. Chances of this one being an actual test piece is pretty high, but as always, if it is not on the Bannerman purchase list there is no way to know for sure. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction