US Test AE's - 900 vs. 100

Imperial Arms · 10-28-2002, 08:33 PM

Edward,

Thank you for the kind compliment concerning my common sense. I would like to make a comment regarding your last paragraph:

"On the other hand, those serial numbers listed as bought by Bannerman from the gov't should be pretty obvious as test guns also?"

I do not discount your question, but I am sure many Luger collectors would like to see concrete documentation from Bannerman which can PROVE without a doubt the exact serial numbers of those 1900 American Eagle Lugers just outside the 6100-7100 serial range which were purchased from the US Government that were involved in the same US trials. If documentation can be presented, then it is pretty obvious that there can be exceptions.

However, if Bannerman was simply mentioned as a surplus purchaser because he happened to exist in business at the same time or after the US Trails, then the data (and without serial numbers) is not strong enough and can only be considered as a hypothesis.

I am interested with your question because I have encountered at least two US Lugers (one being 609X) which fell just outside the 'true' serial range and I could never find facts/data or serial numbers from Bannerman to determine if these Lugers are US Trail Lugers. Are you trying to open a can of worms?!!

I call upon the honorable Ron Wood to shed some light on this interesting subject.

Cheers,
Albert

10-28-2002, 08:33 PM	#10
Imperial Arms Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Malta, EU Posts: 579 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Edward, Thank you for the kind compliment concerning my common sense. I would like to make a comment regarding your last paragraph: "On the other hand, those serial numbers listed as bought by Bannerman from the gov't should be pretty obvious as test guns also?" I do not discount your question, but I am sure many Luger collectors would like to see concrete documentation from Bannerman which can PROVE without a doubt the exact serial numbers of those 1900 American Eagle Lugers just outside the 6100-7100 serial range which were purchased from the US Government that were involved in the same US trials. If documentation can be presented, then it is pretty obvious that there can be exceptions. However, if Bannerman was simply mentioned as a surplus purchaser because he happened to exist in business at the same time or after the US Trails, then the data (and without serial numbers) is not strong enough and can only be considered as a hypothesis. I am interested with your question because I have encountered at least two US Lugers (one being 609X) which fell just outside the 'true' serial range and I could never find facts/data or serial numbers from Bannerman to determine if these Lugers are US Trail Lugers. Are you trying to open a can of worms?!! I call upon the honorable Ron Wood to shed some light on this interesting subject. Cheers, Albert