Born year for 1900 AE

guns3545 · 08-02-2011, 12:11 PM

Bill,

I don't have access to DWM manufacturing data but I can research the Model 1900 US Test history and perhaps draw some conclusions regarding the manufacturing date of your SN 8244.

The first mention of the Model 1900 seemed to occur on September 7, 1900 in a memo from the US Naval Attaché in Berlin.

Now, the US Ordnance Department received two sample pistols on March 14, 1901 which were extensively tested.

The tests produced interesting results and in mid-1901, Ordnance authorized the acquisition of 1000 pistols. and 200,000 cartridges for the grand sum of $15,000. We know that the pistols were in two shipments which left Germany in September and were received at Springfield Armory on October 26th (800) and 29th.(200)

Now it is fairly well documented that these pistols were approximately SN 6100 to 7100 although due to the fact that no spare parts were ordered, it is likely that some pistols were swapped out and may range out of this bracket.

Now to your pistol. It is confirmed in correspondence from Hans Tauscher that the pistols were standard production AE guns. But since they were sold to the US Government, no export marks were applied. Since they delivered in two shipments, one could assume they did not have 1000 pistols in stock to ship at once.

Thus it is probably safe to assume that the Test Guns were built in the Second and Third Quarters of 1901.

Thus I would therefore deduce that your gun was produced sometime in the Fourth Quarter of 1901, certainly in the last 5 months or so of 1901.

Sorry I cannot be more precise and apologies for the verbosity. Maybe one of the more knowledgeable people on the Forum can pitch in with more details.

BTW, your AE is not on Dwight Gruber's excellent analysis of early DWM production. Your should report it to him.

Finally all the best, and may your weather always be CAVU.

John

08-02-2011, 12:11 PM	#5
guns3545 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 438 Thanks: 661 Thanked 493 Times in 219 Posts	Some additional information Bill, I don't have access to DWM manufacturing data but I can research the Model 1900 US Test history and perhaps draw some conclusions regarding the manufacturing date of your SN 8244. The first mention of the Model 1900 seemed to occur on September 7, 1900 in a memo from the US Naval Attaché in Berlin. Now, the US Ordnance Department received two sample pistols on March 14, 1901 which were extensively tested. The tests produced interesting results and in mid-1901, Ordnance authorized the acquisition of 1000 pistols. and 200,000 cartridges for the grand sum of $15,000. We know that the pistols were in two shipments which left Germany in September and were received at Springfield Armory on October 26th (800) and 29th.(200) Now it is fairly well documented that these pistols were approximately SN 6100 to 7100 although due to the fact that no spare parts were ordered, it is likely that some pistols were swapped out and may range out of this bracket. Now to your pistol. It is confirmed in correspondence from Hans Tauscher that the pistols were standard production AE guns. But since they were sold to the US Government, no export marks were applied. Since they delivered in two shipments, one could assume they did not have 1000 pistols in stock to ship at once. Thus it is probably safe to assume that the Test Guns were built in the Second and Third Quarters of 1901. Thus I would therefore deduce that your gun was produced sometime in the Fourth Quarter of 1901, certainly in the last 5 months or so of 1901. Sorry I cannot be more precise and apologies for the verbosity. Maybe one of the more knowledgeable people on the Forum can pitch in with more details. BTW, your AE is not on Dwight Gruber's excellent analysis of early DWM production. Your should report it to him. Finally all the best, and may your weather always be CAVU. John