Date of manufacture?

bob in revelstoke · 03-27-2004, 12:34 AM

I have a .30 Luger (7.65) serial number 486xx, 4 inch barrel, toggles round not dished, blue in colour, American eagle, DWM, serial # on front of frame and the word Germany below it, cocking indicator has word "loaded" in small letters, magazine unmarked and nickle coloured with wood end, grip scales checkered wood, proof marks crown over B and crown over U. All numbers match. Perhaps someone could give a value?
Thanks.

jamese · 03-27-2004, 06:56 AM

Bob,
Are you sure that it has only a 4" barrel and not 4.75" ?

Most likely is a 1906 American Eagle

In you description you fail to mention its condition, so any value estimate would be speculation without seeing the gun. However a ball park figure again depending on condition,$1000-$2500

Jim

Doubs · 03-27-2004, 04:50 PM

Checking a couple of reference books (Imperial Lugers and The Luger Story) indicates that the 1906 American Eagle Commercial Lugers began productio0n somewhere in the 25,500 range and reached approximately 69,000 by 1917 - 1918. (Hans Tauscher's business was closed in 1917 by US officials)

Therefore, your 1906 AE Luger was PROBABLY made sometime in the 1910 - 1913 period. My estimate is based on a linear annual production of 3,625 and that would place production in 1912. However, linear production is unlikely so a 4 year "window" is more likely to be in the ball park.

According to all I've read, the only 4" models of the 1906 AE commercial are 9mm and if your Luger is a .30 caliber with an original true 100mm barrel then it's quite unusual. Verification of it's length would be nice.

bob in revelstoke · 03-27-2004, 07:43 PM

Sorry about that, somehow I missed the .75 and it is 4.75 ins. As to condition, all blueing is present and there is no rust or pits. The bore is bright and no pitting can be seen. The gun functions properly and I put 20 rnds thru it a couple of days ago. The only blemish is a rub mark on the left grip scale. I bought the gun in 1953 and as its the only one I have left which is why I was interested in a value and its age. It is getting near time to think of downsizing.

03-27-2004, 12:34 AM	#1
bob in revelstoke New User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: canada Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Date of manufacture? I have a .30 Luger (7.65) serial number 486xx, 4 inch barrel, toggles round not dished, blue in colour, American eagle, DWM, serial # on front of frame and the word Germany below it, cocking indicator has word "loaded" in small letters, magazine unmarked and nickle coloured with wood end, grip scales checkered wood, proof marks crown over B and crown over U. All numbers match. Perhaps someone could give a value? Thanks.

03-27-2004, 06:56 AM	#2
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 789 Thanks: 0 Thanked 84 Times in 34 Posts	Bob, Are you sure that it has only a 4" barrel and not 4.75" ? Most likely is a 1906 American Eagle In you description you fail to mention its condition, so any value estimate would be speculation without seeing the gun. However a ball park figure again depending on condition,$1000-$2500 Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

03-27-2004, 04:50 PM	#3
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,672 Thanks: 773 Thanked 1,618 Times in 527 Posts	Checking a couple of reference books (Imperial Lugers and The Luger Story) indicates that the 1906 American Eagle Commercial Lugers began productio0n somewhere in the 25,500 range and reached approximately 69,000 by 1917 - 1918. (Hans Tauscher's business was closed in 1917 by US officials) Therefore, your 1906 AE Luger was PROBABLY made sometime in the 1910 - 1913 period. My estimate is based on a linear annual production of 3,625 and that would place production in 1912. However, linear production is unlikely so a 4 year "window" is more likely to be in the ball park. According to all I've read, the only 4" models of the 1906 AE commercial are 9mm and if your Luger is a .30 caliber with an original true 100mm barrel then it's quite unusual. Verification of it's length would be nice.

03-27-2004, 07:43 PM	#4
bob in revelstoke New User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: canada Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry about that, somehow I missed the .75 and it is 4.75 ins. As to condition, all blueing is present and there is no rust or pits. The bore is bright and no pitting can be seen. The gun functions properly and I put 20 rnds thru it a couple of days ago. The only blemish is a rub mark on the left grip scale. I bought the gun in 1953 and as its the only one I have left which is why I was interested in a value and its age. It is getting near time to think of downsizing.