What Makes A US Test Eagle...?

[Ron Wood]

As Pete has pointed out and as many of you know, I have been collecting the serial numbers of observed or reported US Test Trial Lugers for many years now. The criteria for including a Luger in the list are that it must have the features that Pete listed in his first post above, except that around serial number 7136 the last two digits of the serial number starts to appear on the left side of the takedown lever on the visible flat portion (as opposed to "hidden" in the commercial style).

I have posted the current list in the Member Gallery for your information and consideration. As new serial numbers are discovered, perhaps from some of our members, I will update the list periodically. There is no claim that this list "validates" any "above range" or "below range" Luger as being a Test Trial example.

From what I have observed, I have some doubt that the serial numbers of the Test Lugers were totally consecutive, but I have not a shred of evidence to support this other than the known above range examples in the Bannerman purchase. The numbers are listed for historical purposes and are an attempt to aid students of the Luger to evaluate what is known and what is not known about the Test Trial Lugers, hopefully to lead to further discoveries and perhaps someday uncover the true range of this most interesting bit of US history.