When purchased new

jeb111 · 12-29-2018, 08:40 AM

When a 1906 American Eagle was purchased new did they come with only one mag? Did they come with any other accessories like a takedown tool? Also how come I never see them advertised for sale with "original box", did they not come in boxes? Did none survive? This question could apply to any commercial Luger.

mrerick · 12-29-2018, 09:16 AM

The combination of a Luger, two numbered magazines, and a loading tool was the result of the contracts that the Military agreed to with DWM in the beginning. These orders were likely shipped in bulk.

Commercial distribution took place under a variety of contracts with national distributors and their retail dealer networks in each country. They may have created their own retail packaging for shipment of individual handgun orders.

Commercial Marketing at the time was focused more on catalog presentation and retail in person interaction at stores. Some of the earlier individual handgun packaging I've seen came from Walther with the PP series in the 1930 time frame. In Sturgess' book on page 758 he pictures an early Stoeger individual Luger shipping carton that has the DWM name on it from about 1921 as well as a slightly later one from BKIW.

Some commercial Lugers were also sold in fitted cases, again not necessarily provided by DWM.

jeb111 · 12-30-2018, 09:27 AM

So if someone bought a new commercial Luger back in the day and wanted another mag or other accessories did they have aftermarket items that were being made? Was the only option buying factory made mags, loading tools etc. ?

mrerick · 12-30-2018, 09:34 AM

Most likely the dealer that sold the Luger would obtain extra magazines and tools from the manufacturer's distributor that they already had the relationship with.

Patents encumbered the designs of most firearms for the first decades of their manufacture. If an aftermarket manufacturer were to make them, they would be paying design royalties to the patent holder.

Aftermarket commercial items were unlikely, but of course possible. Some of the countries using Lugers licensed the design and had their own magazines made locally. Think of the Swiss and Dutch Lugers. Erfurt had them made for their Lugers under license, and Haenel Schmeisser made their excellent welded and milled steel magazines, which were used for some Commercial Lugers.

The earliest non DWM / Erfurt / Mauser / Krieghoff / Simson 9mm Luger magazine I own was made after WW-II. It is bright nickle plated and made by ERMA.

Edward Tinker · 12-30-2018, 01:53 PM

the only aftermarket item you'll find is holsters - now boxes - rare as hens teeth -

you see ones like this
https://www.simpsonltd.com/products/m3486

and sometimes a Stoeger with DWM, but i Have also seen DWM boxes - I think most weren't shipped in them, or you'd see them more often. But then I have never seen a Colt SSA box?
I have seen lots of early 1920 era boxes for S&W and Colt but earlier is hard to find.

12-29-2018, 08:40 AM	#1
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 275 Thanks: 680 Thanked 325 Times in 131 Posts	When purchased new When a 1906 American Eagle was purchased new did they come with only one mag? Did they come with any other accessories like a takedown tool? Also how come I never see them advertised for sale with "original box", did they not come in boxes? Did none survive? This question could apply to any commercial Luger.

12-29-2018, 09:16 AM	#2
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 combination of a Luger, two numbered magazines, and a loading tool was the result of the contracts that the Military agreed to with DWM in the beginning. These orders were likely shipped in bulk. Commercial distribution took place under a variety of contracts with national distributors and their retail dealer networks in each country. They may have created their own retail packaging for shipment of individual handgun orders. Commercial Marketing at the time was focused more on catalog presentation and retail in person interaction at stores. Some of the earlier individual handgun packaging I've seen came from Walther with the PP series in the 1930 time frame. In Sturgess' book on page 758 he pictures an early Stoeger individual Luger shipping carton that has the DWM name on it from about 1921 as well as a slightly later one from BKIW. Some commercial Lugers were also sold in fitted cases, again not necessarily provided by DWM. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-30-2018, 09:34 AM	#4
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	Most likely the dealer that sold the Luger would obtain extra magazines and tools from the manufacturer's distributor that they already had the relationship with. Patents encumbered the designs of most firearms for the first decades of their manufacture. If an aftermarket manufacturer were to make them, they would be paying design royalties to the patent holder. Aftermarket commercial items were unlikely, but of course possible. Some of the countries using Lugers licensed the design and had their own magazines made locally. Think of the Swiss and Dutch Lugers. Erfurt had them made for their Lugers under license, and Haenel Schmeisser made their excellent welded and milled steel magazines, which were used for some Commercial Lugers. The earliest non DWM / Erfurt / Mauser / Krieghoff / Simson 9mm Luger magazine I own was made after WW-II. It is bright nickle plated and made by ERMA. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-30-2018, 09:27 AM	#3
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 275 Thanks: 680 Thanked 325 Times in 131 Posts	So if someone bought a new commercial Luger back in the day and wanted another mag or other accessories did they have aftermarket items that were being made? Was the only option buying factory made mags, loading tools etc. ?

12-30-2018, 01:53 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	the only aftermarket item you'll find is holsters - now boxes - rare as hens teeth - you see ones like this https://www.simpsonltd.com/products/m3486 and sometimes a Stoeger with DWM, but i Have also seen DWM boxes - I think most weren't shipped in them, or you'd see them more often. But then I have never seen a Colt SSA box? I have seen lots of early 1920 era boxes for S&W and Colt but earlier is hard to find.