Number of 1900 (Old Model) AMERICAN EAGLE produced

Sergio Natali · 08-30-2013, 04:49 AM

I'd like to know how many LUGER 1900 AMERICAN EAGLE in total were produced and exported to the States. I know that the New Model Parabellum (DWM 1906 Luger) was introduced around 1906 and slowly supplanted the "Old Model" production also in the "American Eagle" serie. Then, the "Old Model" production ended in around 1902 but that did not mean that these guns couldn't have been available for a longer time after; and this makes the whole thing a bit confused.

Dwight Gruber · 08-30-2013, 05:29 PM

Old Model Parabellum production ceased between sn 25035 and sn 25063. New Model Parabellum production started somewhere within that range after March 1906. The first Old Model American Eagle is sn 2002, giving a maximum possible production number between 23,033 and 23,061 pistols. There are 1,964 Old Model American Eagle pistols reported in the commercial database, out of a total of 2,602 reports. Absent DWM production documents, estimating the actual number made is sheer guesswork.

--Dwight

Ron Wood · 08-30-2013, 06:09 PM

As Dwight said, estimating the actual number made is sheer guesswork. American Eagles tend to have been made in serial number blocks but there are also single or small group examples thoughout Dwight's data base. Consider also that within the serial number range of Model 1900 Lugers, in addtion to American Eagle examples, there were commercial, contract and test examples scattered throughout. Further, the Old Model did not end in 1902 but extended until approximately1906, with final assembly possibly even overlapping the New Model production.

nukem556 · 08-30-2013, 08:43 PM

Is it true that uncrested 1900 Commercials marked "Germany" are scarcer in the US than Eagles?

Ron Wood · 08-30-2013, 09:32 PM

Yes, by far the most common commercial in the U.S. is the American Eagle. I don't know the exact ratio but I suspect that it is close to 20:1, maybe more

Sergio Natali · 08-31-2013, 04:16 AM

First of all I wish to thank both Ron and Dwight; I asked as I found different opinions on the topic of the actual number of 1900 "American Eagle" produced, AND since I've got the chance to buy another 1900 AE , although I know it's not the most rare "Old Model", I was intrigued about the quantity of them still around.

08-30-2013, 04:49 AM	#1
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Number of 1900 (Old Model) AMERICAN EAGLE produced I'd like to know how many LUGER 1900 AMERICAN EAGLE in total were produced and exported to the States. I know that the New Model Parabellum (DWM 1906 Luger) was introduced around 1906 and slowly supplanted the "Old Model" production also in the "American Eagle" serie. Then, the "Old Model" production ended in around 1902 but that did not mean that these guns couldn't have been available for a longer time after; and this makes the whole thing a bit confused. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

08-30-2013, 06:09 PM	#3
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: 7,019 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,173 Times in 1,701 Posts	As Dwight said, estimating the actual number made is sheer guesswork. American Eagles tend to have been made in serial number blocks but there are also single or small group examples thoughout Dwight's data base. Consider also that within the serial number range of Model 1900 Lugers, in addtion to American Eagle examples, there were commercial, contract and test examples scattered throughout. Further, the Old Model did not end in 1902 but extended until approximately1906, with final assembly possibly even overlapping the New Model production. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-30-2013, 09:32 PM	#5
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: 7,019 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,173 Times in 1,701 Posts	Yes, by far the most common commercial in the U.S. is the American Eagle. I don't know the exact ratio but I suspect that it is close to 20:1, maybe more __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-31-2013, 04:16 AM	#6
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	First of all I wish to thank both Ron and Dwight; I asked as I found different opinions on the topic of the actual number of 1900 "American Eagle" produced, AND since I've got the chance to buy another 1900 AE , although I know it's not the most rare "Old Model", I was intrigued about the quantity of them still around. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

08-30-2013, 05:29 PM	#2
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,313 Times in 430 Posts	Old Model Parabellum production ceased between sn 25035 and sn 25063. New Model Parabellum production started somewhere within that range after March 1906. The first Old Model American Eagle is sn 2002, giving a maximum possible production number between 23,033 and 23,061 pistols. There are 1,964 Old Model American Eagle pistols reported in the commercial database, out of a total of 2,602 reports. Absent DWM production documents, estimating the actual number made is sheer guesswork. --Dwight

08-30-2013, 08:43 PM	#4
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	Is it true that uncrested 1900 Commercials marked "Germany" are scarcer in the US than Eagles?