U.S. Test Trial Lugers - 2015 Edition

Ron Wood · 08-01-2015, 01:46 PM

It has been a couple of years since I last posted an update to the list of reported surviving U.S. Test Trials Lugers. Since then there have been a few new serial number additions trickling in, 13 in the “accepted range” and 16 in the “out of range”…(both “range” titles are misnomers but they serve as a short hand designation).

The most significant addition of the list is the verification of some serial numbers of guns known to have been actually involved in the Trials that are not part of the “Bannerman Purchase”. Up until now the Bannerman list was the only authentication of guns that could legitimately be claimed to have been part of the test. Ironically other verifiable serial numbers such as maintenance records and the numbers listed by Lt. Palmer in his test report were also included in the Bannerman list. Now as the result of Clark Rickman’s search of the National Archives there are some new serial numbers available. Clark (forum alias “Hugo Borchardt”) has finally posted some of his discoveries on his web site, http://testluger.com, so now I feel free to share this information within my lists!

Usually after I post my lists it stimulates some additional numbers being reported. Hopefully this will continue.

Best regards,
Ron Wood

cirelaw · 08-01-2015, 02:13 PM

Thank You Both~ On with the hunt!!

sheepherder · 08-02-2015, 01:37 PM

Ron, although I do not have any of the Test Lugers and do not expect to, I do have a question...

In the Note at the bottom, you show 'suspected fakes' as having an 'F' attachment...

But None of the serials have an 'F' attached to it...

Could you comment on this???

Ron Wood · 08-02-2015, 02:12 PM

Take a look at #6353, it is there just not highlighted. And it is suspected "fake" not "fakes". Can't resist giving you young folks with good eyesight a challenge!

sheepherder · 08-02-2015, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

Take a look at #6353, it is there just not highlighted. And it is suspected "fake" not "fakes". Can't resist giving you young folks with good eyesight a challenge!

Thanks for pointing 6353 out!

So there've been no duplicate serial numbers, no serials suddenly showing up after 100+ years with no other record of them, no in-boundary M1900 Lugers with suspicious marks usually attributed to other runs???

I would have thought there would be dozens of spoofed Test Trial Lugers in circulation...

Edward Tinker · 08-02-2015, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

I would have thought there would be dozens of spoofed Test Trial Lugers in circulation...

I am always amazed at how many 'very nice' ones there are

AND, I would not be surprised if a couple of these numbers could be 'faked' - but it would have to be off of a 1900 - and so a bit harder.

Sergio Natali · 08-03-2015, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

Take a look at #6353, it is there just not highlighted. And it is suspected "fake" not "fakes". Can't resist giving you young folks with good eyesight a challenge!

Ron

What can I say, thanks, it's always informative and a pleasure to read your posts.

Sergio

MFC · 08-28-2015, 01:22 AM

Above range #7742 at Simpsons...
http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...3750ac0192882f

Ron Wood · 08-28-2015, 09:42 AM

Thank you! Nice looking gun. The price has dropped $200 since April of this year.

Sergio Natali · 08-28-2015, 11:23 AM

That would be really a gem for any Luger collector.

Sergip

mrerick · 01-09-2017, 08:01 PM

The 2016 version of Ron's list is located at:

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=36548

cirelaw · 01-09-2017, 09:26 PM

I believe the American Eagle ads an extra reverence to many pieces!! Georg was a genius at marketing!!

08-02-2015, 01:37 PM	#3
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	Ron, although I do not have any of the Test Lugers and do not expect to, I do have a question... In the Note at the bottom, you show 'suspected fakes' as having an 'F' attachment... But None of the serials have an 'F' attached to it... Could you comment on this??? __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

08-02-2015, 02:12 PM	#4
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: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	Take a look at #6353, it is there just not highlighted. And it is suspected "fake" not "fakes". Can't resist giving you young folks with good eyesight a challenge! __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-28-2015, 01:22 AM	#8
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Above range #7742 at Simpsons... http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...3750ac0192882f __________________ Mike C.

08-28-2015, 09:42 AM	#9
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: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	Thank you! Nice looking gun. The price has dropped $200 since April of this year. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-28-2015, 11:23 AM	#10
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	That would be really a gem for any Luger collector. Sergip __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

08-01-2015, 02:13 PM	#2
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Thank You Both~ On with the hunt!!

01-09-2017, 08:01 PM	#11
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	The 2016 version of Ron's list is located at: http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=36548 __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-09-2017, 09:26 PM	#12
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	I believe the American Eagle ads an extra reverence to many pieces!! Georg was a genius at marketing!!