My "new" AE

Steve Richards · 09-08-2002, 05:58 PM

At the Portland gunshow yesterday, I bought a 4-3/4" .30cal AE. It is in quite rough shape but everything except the takedown lever and magazine that has a number on it matches. The magazine appears to be E German with an aluminum bottom. What would be correct for this piece? The front of the frame is marked with the serial number 31XXX and under that is Germany. The eagle is over the chamber and there is no date. The scroll DWM is on the middle toggle link.It does not look like it has been fired much but it does have a fair amount of pitting but the price was less because of that. I hope to have a good shooter.

One thing that concerns me is that there is no spring holding the takedown lever in place. Is this safe or should I add one before firing the gun?

If everyathin worked there should be a scan.

I also met fellow forum member Dwight Gruber and we had a nice conversation. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

wterrell · 09-08-2002, 06:41 PM

Congrads, Steve!

Early guns are the way to go.

Edward Tinker · 09-08-2002, 07:54 PM

Beauty Steve!

One day I'll pick up one of them, (better wait, the wife is watching).

Kind of cool to get a "shooter" one.

[img]smile.gif[/img]

Ed

Herb · 09-08-2002, 08:30 PM

Steve, good buy. You can get the takedown spring from GT, a forum member. The serial number would indicate that it is a commercial model made for export, probably to the USA. Thor should be able to do wonders with it if you want to get it cleaned up. From the picture I would guess that that magazine is a Hanael Schmeisser owing to the pin through the center of the knob. If you could post more info on it you will probably get a better input from the members.

Ron Wood · 09-08-2002, 09:15 PM

Steve,
Nice find! It looks pretty good and the grip that is showing is in terrific shape. Love those early Lugers and the 1906 American Eagle is a classic. To answer your questions, the correct magazine for this piece is a nickel tube magazine with a wooden base having no number. And yes, you should get a takedown spring before shooting it. Chances are nothing will happen if you don't, but if that takedown falls at just the wrong time it will cause damage.

Steve Richards · 09-11-2002, 08:26 PM

I contacted Tom Heller and will be ordering the takedown lever springs for the AE and Artilery. Also a couple of other parts that I want to replace in both guns to feel more secure shooting them. Since The AE has the original unfluted firing pin, I will keep it but use a new manufactured one with the flutes in it. I look forward to firing both of them and will post some more pictures when I get them taken and developed. I still use 35mm film.

09-08-2002, 05:58 PM	#1
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My "new" AE At the Portland gunshow yesterday, I bought a 4-3/4" .30cal AE. It is in quite rough shape but everything except the takedown lever and magazine that has a number on it matches. The magazine appears to be E German with an aluminum bottom. What would be correct for this piece? The front of the frame is marked with the serial number 31XXX and under that is Germany. The eagle is over the chamber and there is no date. The scroll DWM is on the middle toggle link.It does not look like it has been fired much but it does have a fair amount of pitting but the price was less because of that. I hope to have a good shooter. One thing that concerns me is that there is no spring holding the takedown lever in place. Is this safe or should I add one before firing the gun? If everyathin worked there should be a scan. I also met fellow forum member Dwight Gruber and we had a nice conversation. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

09-08-2002, 06:41 PM	#2
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Congrads, Steve! Early guns are the way to go. __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

09-08-2002, 07:54 PM	#3
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	Beauty Steve! One day I'll pick up one of them, (better wait, the wife is watching). Kind of cool to get a "shooter" one. [img]smile.gif[/img] 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

09-08-2002, 08:30 PM	#4
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Steve, good buy. You can get the takedown spring from GT, a forum member. The serial number would indicate that it is a commercial model made for export, probably to the USA. Thor should be able to do wonders with it if you want to get it cleaned up. From the picture I would guess that that magazine is a Hanael Schmeisser owing to the pin through the center of the knob. If you could post more info on it you will probably get a better input from the members. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

09-08-2002, 09:15 PM	#5
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	Steve, Nice find! It looks pretty good and the grip that is showing is in terrific shape. Love those early Lugers and the 1906 American Eagle is a classic. To answer your questions, the correct magazine for this piece is a nickel tube magazine with a wooden base having no number. And yes, you should get a takedown spring before shooting it. Chances are nothing will happen if you don't, but if that takedown falls at just the wrong time it will cause damage. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

09-11-2002, 08:26 PM	#6
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I contacted Tom Heller and will be ordering the takedown lever springs for the AE and Artilery. Also a couple of other parts that I want to replace in both guns to feel more secure shooting them. Since The AE has the original unfluted firing pin, I will keep it but use a new manufactured one with the flutes in it. I look forward to firing both of them and will post some more pictures when I get them taken and developed. I still use 35mm film.