Does an American Eagle lock open ?

JD · 10-03-2011, 02:51 PM

Should an early commercial American Eagle lock open after the last shot? A friend recently obtained one that has obviously been reworked as it has a 30 cal artillery barrel (with the rear sight slot filled with an ivory or plastic filler), rear sight on the toggle, grip safety, DWM marked toggle, frame marked "Germany". It's been refinished at some point in its' life, though appears to be well done. Numbers seem to match on everything except the un-numbered barrel. It has a hold open and I don't recall if that is correct.

Thanks!!!

Ron Wood · 10-03-2011, 03:48 PM

Yes, an early commercial American Eagle should have a hold open and should lock open after the last shot if the magazine and pistol are functioning properly.

JD · 10-03-2011, 05:55 PM

Thanks Ron!!!!

I don't have much experience with early lugers, but I knew someone here would help me out.

Hugo Borchardt · 10-05-2011, 11:49 AM

JD:

Cool! Would you mind sharing the serial # for Dwight's commercial database that logs surviving pieces? If you don't want to post it, you could just msg it to Ron Wood and Dwight Gruber!

Thanks!!!

Clark

JD · 10-10-2011, 04:22 PM

I'll try to get the serial number and post it, but the gun isn't mine. My dealer has it and called me to try to find out what it is, as it has an un-marked un-serial numbered 30 cal artillery barrel on it, with the rear sight slot on the barrel filled in with an ivory or plastic insert (Clearly, the barrel has been changed, and I've never seen a 30 cal artillery barrel.... It doesn't appear to be relined, so perhaps Numerich or one of the parts houses had some made up at one time...). The toggle has the rear sight on it...
The gun also appears to have been re-finished, which was well done, but doesn't appear to be recent...

Truely a strange gun, which appears to have been re-worked for whatever reason, but the work appears to be of good quality.

10-03-2011, 02:51 PM	#1
JD User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Western Washington Posts: 107 Thanks: 58 Thanked 22 Times in 17 Posts	Does an American Eagle lock open ? Should an early commercial American Eagle lock open after the last shot? A friend recently obtained one that has obviously been reworked as it has a 30 cal artillery barrel (with the rear sight slot filled with an ivory or plastic filler), rear sight on the toggle, grip safety, DWM marked toggle, frame marked "Germany". It's been refinished at some point in its' life, though appears to be well done. Numbers seem to match on everything except the un-numbered barrel. It has a hold open and I don't recall if that is correct. Thanks!!!

10-03-2011, 03:48 PM	#2
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: 7,035 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,242 Times in 1,719 Posts	Yes, an early commercial American Eagle should have a hold open and should lock open after the last shot if the magazine and pistol are functioning properly. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

10-05-2011, 11:49 AM	#4
Hugo Borchardt User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 372 Thanks: 340 Thanked 143 Times in 48 Posts	JD: Cool! Would you mind sharing the serial # for Dwight's commercial database that logs surviving pieces? If you don't want to post it, you could just msg it to Ron Wood and Dwight Gruber! Thanks!!! Clark __________________ My militaria collection is dedicated to the memory of my Grandfather, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Dave Hill, Jr., wounded in action at The Assault of the Second Marine Division on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, 20-23 November, 1943. http://www.tarawa1943.com/pages/casualties%20tarawa.htm

10-03-2011, 05:55 PM	#3
JD User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Western Washington Posts: 107 Thanks: 58 Thanked 22 Times in 17 Posts	Thanks Ron!!!! I don't have much experience with early lugers, but I knew someone here would help me out.

10-10-2011, 04:22 PM	#5
JD User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Western Washington Posts: 107 Thanks: 58 Thanked 22 Times in 17 Posts	I'll try to get the serial number and post it, but the gun isn't mine. My dealer has it and called me to try to find out what it is, as it has an un-marked un-serial numbered 30 cal artillery barrel on it, with the rear sight slot on the barrel filled in with an ivory or plastic insert (Clearly, the barrel has been changed, and I've never seen a 30 cal artillery barrel.... It doesn't appear to be relined, so perhaps Numerich or one of the parts houses had some made up at one time...). The toggle has the rear sight on it... The gun also appears to have been re-finished, which was well done, but doesn't appear to be recent... Truely a strange gun, which appears to have been re-worked for whatever reason, but the work appears to be of good quality.