Just what is my DWM?

Joe Y · 09-10-2003, 10:44 PM

Hello all. New member here. I want to start off by saying this is a great site and my hat is off to the expertise I have seen in the forums. I swear...I wonder if you guys could tell if it was manufactured during a full moon!
There is a new luger on the block with the same old questions. My interests and collection have been in Civil War Cavalry weapons and accoutrements so please excuse my ignorance of this subject matter. I literally was handed a half dozen firearms by an old family friend (his long deceased fathers collection and not interested). One just happens to be an American Eagle DWM. It was love at first sight and I'm interested to know all I can. What I have found so far mostly from this site...
B U C crowned barrel proof marks with number 17228 on bottom of barrel says German Commercial on some 7.65mm 1900 and 1906. Horizontal B U on receiver says commercial 1900 to 1908. B U proof on forward link. DWM barrel proof. SN 34556 on barrel and front of frame. 56 on various parts. Germany stamp on front of frame. DWM and American Eagle on top. Grip safety. Grips a little dark but cleanable. Excellent mechanics. Blueing worn on front protruding edges. General measure of barrel is 3 7/8" from frame (seems a little odd from the length references I have seen).
Can anyone tell me if the configuration seems consistent?
Nail down a specific model or manufacture date?
Estimate of worth?
And obviously it is common but just what is the American Eagle Crest all about??? Thanks in advance for any consideration of my topic.
Regards, Joe

Edward Tinker · 09-10-2003, 11:10 PM

Sorry Joe, moved your posting around twice.

This seemed like a good place to put it, as specific experts like my friend Ron can help out.

The American eagle was a marketing tool by DWM, you'll see other countries markings rolled on the receiver, Russia, Portugal, Bulgaria, and one or two others, it was a way to personnalize it for the market.

And welcome to the forum Joe!!

Ed

Ron Wood · 09-10-2003, 11:25 PM

A serial number of 34566 makes it a 1906 model American Eagle. The proof on the barrel is BUG. The length of the barrel is measured from the rear of the barrel. Stick a pencil down the barrel until it contacts the breech block, then measure the depth...it will come out a lot closer to the length references you have seen, i.e. 4 3/4".

The American Eagle crest on the chamber was a marketing tool. Lugers intended for sale in the US were marked with this crest. The extractor (the roughly "t" shaped bar on the top of the breech block) will say "LOADED" on the left hand side if you lift up on the forward end of it and raise it above the breech block.

If the blueing is only worn on the front protruding edges, it sounds like it is in pretty good condition. Don't be in a hurry to clean up the grips. A little darkness is befitting its age. Pictures would help to give a better assessment of its condition and possible value. Can you take some digital pictures and post them here on the forum?

The 1906 American Eagle is a beautiful, elegant Luger and love at first sight is only to be expected. Congratulations.

Joe Y · 09-10-2003, 11:26 PM

Thanks Ed for the info and taking care of my posting so promptly. I'm very happy to be here.

Joe

Joe Y · 09-10-2003, 11:40 PM

Ron,
Thanks for your reply. "LOADED" is on the extractor and 4 3/4" it is. It does help to know what you should be measuring. I dont have a working camera but I will post some pictures as soon as possible. Thanks again Ron for your assistance.

Joe.

Edward Tinker · 09-10-2003, 11:48 PM

Joe, do you have a scanner, you can lay the pistol on the scanner and scan it in?

Or, hard copy of pictures and send them to me and I'll post them for you.

ed

lugerlou · 09-10-2003, 11:52 PM

Joe. Welcome to the site, going strictly off the serial # you have quoted you have what appears to be a model 1906 A/E.As to the American Eagle crest the managers or officials at the time preceeding production of the early DWM era felt that it would enhance the likelyhood of foreign sales if the Luger would bear the country of imports national seal. This chamber marking was inscribed with other country,s national crest also.Whether or not this was a prerequisite to importing to the US I do not know and strongly believe not to be.Anyway congradulations on your beautifull gift and I am sure you will be given a lot of responses.

Joe Y · 09-11-2003, 12:15 AM

Ed,
I dont have hardcopy pictures. I do have a scanner but assumed it would not do justice.

Lugerlou,
Thumb safety - Not exactly sure what you mean. The flat portion of the safety is not polished, the bottom of the safety head appears only partially blued but certainly not polished. The frame under the safety is not blued. I have BU proofs on the left side of the front link but no SN numbers anywhere on the front link that I can see. Last two SN numbers on bottom of "trigger plate"?, on bottom of trigger plate lever, and very back of back link. I dont see anything like a 9mm inscription on the magazine, only what appears to be a very small screw? holding the wood bottom in place.

lugerlou · 09-11-2003, 12:25 AM

Joe I have edited my earlier reply as you have indicated the change in barrel length. I mistook yours for the 4" commercial due to the 3 7/8 barrel length you provided initialy. my opoligies

Edward Tinker · 09-11-2003, 12:26 AM

Joe, a scanner doesn't do a bad job, and is better than nothing, it does make very large pictures, save as .jpg and half the size or 100 dpi. E-mail them to me and I will fix / post them for you,

Ed

Joe Y · 09-11-2003, 12:57 AM

Ed, I scanned, crashed, and scanned again. I sent you two pictures. Hope you can use them. Thanks for your time and trouble.

Lugerlou, no appologies necessary. You are dealing with a Luger challenged individual.

Gentlemen, I have to get up at 0'dark thirty, I'm off. Thanks for your information tonight. I will check back tomorrow. Hope you liked the pictures.

Joe

pictures added by EBT for Joe; if you'd like bigger ones, than that is okay Joe:

Doubs · 09-11-2003, 12:28 PM

Joe, as Ron has said, it's a model 1906 "American Eagle" (AE) commercial Luger made especially for export to the US. From the scanned images yours appears to be in quite nice condition.... a collectable and not a shooter IMO.

The 1906 is possibly the most attractive of all Lugers to my eye. Graceful, slim and just plain appealing.

Joe Y · 09-11-2003, 07:45 PM

Thanks for the confirmation Doubs. Although I have not seen many this one certainly appealed to me. Good news to think it may be a collectable, bad news is I REALLY wanted to take it for a test ride!

Edward Tinker · 09-11-2003, 09:53 PM

Joe, you can always take her shooting.

But you break a numbered part, drop in value $500, so....

Of course, I can trade you a shooter for that puppy,

Ed

Joe Y · 09-12-2003, 09:14 PM

Ed, Thanks for your kind offer. With friends like you I could be at the shooting range wondering where all the money went.

Edward Tinker · 09-12-2003, 09:24 PM

I hear that Joe! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> and of course the offer wasn't real, well, only half-real.

Lots to learn here, and I am guessing you like other guns too, so the brain can get over-loaded at times, but its a good over-load. Above me I have a Indian fighting era sword and a Trapdoor Springfield, so I understand other collecting interests.

Ed

Joe Y · 09-12-2003, 09:48 PM

I'm surrounded by so many civil war items I can hear a rebel yell. Your comment on collecting interests does bring up a topic... a few other items I received with the Luger were an M1 Garand and a Mauser rifle. Any recommendations on other general firearms sites I might visit to investigate those?

Edward Tinker · 09-12-2003, 10:16 PM

Garand:
http://www.battlerifles.com/faq.php
http://www.fulton-armory.com/
http://www.m1garandrifle.com/Garandparts.htm

Mauser rifles, go to www.gunboards.com

Ed

Joe Y · 09-12-2003, 11:04 PM

Thanks again Ed.

Joe Y · 09-16-2003, 09:26 PM

Question to the forum. I noticed in another message that a 1906 american eagle had "geladen" on the extractor lever. per Ron Wood's suggestion I checked my lever and found "LOADED" which seemed reasonable for a Luger specifically for the American market. Is Geladen German for loaded? Why would a similar 1906 american eagle for the american market have geladen on it?

09-10-2003, 10:44 PM	#1
Joe Y User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just what is my DWM? Hello all. New member here. I want to start off by saying this is a great site and my hat is off to the expertise I have seen in the forums. I swear...I wonder if you guys could tell if it was manufactured during a full moon! There is a new luger on the block with the same old questions. My interests and collection have been in Civil War Cavalry weapons and accoutrements so please excuse my ignorance of this subject matter. I literally was handed a half dozen firearms by an old family friend (his long deceased fathers collection and not interested). One just happens to be an American Eagle DWM. It was love at first sight and I'm interested to know all I can. What I have found so far mostly from this site... B U C crowned barrel proof marks with number 17228 on bottom of barrel says German Commercial on some 7.65mm 1900 and 1906. Horizontal B U on receiver says commercial 1900 to 1908. B U proof on forward link. DWM barrel proof. SN 34556 on barrel and front of frame. 56 on various parts. Germany stamp on front of frame. DWM and American Eagle on top. Grip safety. Grips a little dark but cleanable. Excellent mechanics. Blueing worn on front protruding edges. General measure of barrel is 3 7/8" from frame (seems a little odd from the length references I have seen). Can anyone tell me if the configuration seems consistent? Nail down a specific model or manufacture date? Estimate of worth? And obviously it is common but just what is the American Eagle Crest all about??? Thanks in advance for any consideration of my topic. Regards, Joe

09-10-2003, 11:10 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Sorry Joe, moved your posting around twice. This seemed like a good place to put it, as specific experts like my friend Ron can help out. The American eagle was a marketing tool by DWM, you'll see other countries markings rolled on the receiver, Russia, Portugal, Bulgaria, and one or two others, it was a way to personnalize it for the market. And welcome to the forum Joe!! Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

09-10-2003, 11:25 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: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,096 Times in 1,676 Posts	A serial number of 34566 makes it a 1906 model American Eagle. The proof on the barrel is BUG. The length of the barrel is measured from the rear of the barrel. Stick a pencil down the barrel until it contacts the breech block, then measure the depth...it will come out a lot closer to the length references you have seen, i.e. 4 3/4". The American Eagle crest on the chamber was a marketing tool. Lugers intended for sale in the US were marked with this crest. The extractor (the roughly "t" shaped bar on the top of the breech block) will say "LOADED" on the left hand side if you lift up on the forward end of it and raise it above the breech block. If the blueing is only worn on the front protruding edges, it sounds like it is in pretty good condition. Don't be in a hurry to clean up the grips. A little darkness is befitting its age. Pictures would help to give a better assessment of its condition and possible value. Can you take some digital pictures and post them here on the forum? The 1906 American Eagle is a beautiful, elegant Luger and love at first sight is only to be expected. Congratulations. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

09-10-2003, 11:48 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Joe, do you have a scanner, you can lay the pistol on the scanner and scan it in? Or, hard copy of pictures and send them to me and I'll post them for you. ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

09-11-2003, 12:26 AM	#10
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Joe, a scanner doesn't do a bad job, and is better than nothing, it does make very large pictures, save as .jpg and half the size or 100 dpi. E-mail them to me and I will fix / post them for you, Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

09-10-2003, 11:26 PM	#4
Joe Y User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Ed for the info and taking care of my posting so promptly. I'm very happy to be here. Joe

09-10-2003, 11:40 PM	#5
Joe Y User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ron, Thanks for your reply. "LOADED" is on the extractor and 4 3/4" it is. It does help to know what you should be measuring. I dont have a working camera but I will post some pictures as soon as possible. Thanks again Ron for your assistance. Joe.

09-10-2003, 11:52 PM	#7
lugerlou User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Joe. Welcome to the site, going strictly off the serial # you have quoted you have what appears to be a model 1906 A/E.As to the American Eagle crest the managers or officials at the time preceeding production of the early DWM era felt that it would enhance the likelyhood of foreign sales if the Luger would bear the country of imports national seal. This chamber marking was inscribed with other country,s national crest also.Whether or not this was a prerequisite to importing to the US I do not know and strongly believe not to be.Anyway congradulations on your beautifull gift and I am sure you will be given a lot of responses.

09-11-2003, 12:15 AM	#8
Joe Y User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed, I dont have hardcopy pictures. I do have a scanner but assumed it would not do justice. Lugerlou, Thumb safety - Not exactly sure what you mean. The flat portion of the safety is not polished, the bottom of the safety head appears only partially blued but certainly not polished. The frame under the safety is not blued. I have BU proofs on the left side of the front link but no SN numbers anywhere on the front link that I can see. Last two SN numbers on bottom of "trigger plate"?, on bottom of trigger plate lever, and very back of back link. I dont see anything like a 9mm inscription on the magazine, only what appears to be a very small screw? holding the wood bottom in place.

09-11-2003, 12:25 AM	#9
lugerlou User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Joe I have edited my earlier reply as you have indicated the change in barrel length. I mistook yours for the 4" commercial due to the 3 7/8 barrel length you provided initialy. my opoligies

09-11-2003, 12:57 AM	#11
Joe Y User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed, I scanned, crashed, and scanned again. I sent you two pictures. Hope you can use them. Thanks for your time and trouble. Lugerlou, no appologies necessary. You are dealing with a Luger challenged individual. Gentlemen, I have to get up at 0'dark thirty, I'm off. Thanks for your information tonight. I will check back tomorrow. Hope you liked the pictures. Joe pictures added by EBT for Joe; if you'd like bigger ones, than that is okay Joe:

09-11-2003, 12:28 PM	#12
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	Joe, as Ron has said, it's a model 1906 "American Eagle" (AE) commercial Luger made especially for export to the US. From the scanned images yours appears to be in quite nice condition.... a collectable and not a shooter IMO. The 1906 is possibly the most attractive of all Lugers to my eye. Graceful, slim and just plain appealing.

09-11-2003, 07:45 PM	#13
Joe Y User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the confirmation Doubs. Although I have not seen many this one certainly appealed to me. Good news to think it may be a collectable, bad news is I REALLY wanted to take it for a test ride!

09-11-2003, 09:53 PM	#14
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Joe, you can always take her shooting. But you break a numbered part, drop in value $500, so.... Of course, I can trade you a shooter for that puppy, Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

09-12-2003, 09:14 PM	#15
Joe Y User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed, Thanks for your kind offer. With friends like you I could be at the shooting range wondering where all the money went.

09-12-2003, 09:24 PM	#16
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	I hear that Joe! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> and of course the offer wasn't real, well, only half-real. Lots to learn here, and I am guessing you like other guns too, so the brain can get over-loaded at times, but its a good over-load. Above me I have a Indian fighting era sword and a Trapdoor Springfield, so I understand other collecting interests. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

09-12-2003, 09:48 PM	#17
Joe Y User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm surrounded by so many civil war items I can hear a rebel yell. Your comment on collecting interests does bring up a topic... a few other items I received with the Luger were an M1 Garand and a Mauser rifle. Any recommendations on other general firearms sites I might visit to investigate those?

09-12-2003, 10:16 PM	#18
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Garand: http://www.battlerifles.com/faq.php http://www.fulton-armory.com/ http://www.m1garandrifle.com/Garandparts.htm Mauser rifles, go to www.gunboards.com Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

09-12-2003, 11:04 PM	#19
Joe Y User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks again Ed.

09-16-2003, 09:26 PM	#20
Joe Y User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Question to the forum. I noticed in another message that a 1906 american eagle had "geladen" on the extractor lever. per Ron Wood's suggestion I checked my lever and found "LOADED" which seemed reasonable for a Luger specifically for the American market. Is Geladen German for loaded? Why would a similar 1906 american eagle for the american market have geladen on it?