Not a Test...

Pete Ebbink · 03-12-2007, 11:49 AM

Most likely not a Test Eagle...contrary to what the seller describes :

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=67592956

I have sent the seller a polite note...asking for serial number range...

(Update : Seller confirms gun serial is # 867x)

Dwight Gruber · 03-12-2007, 01:52 PM

Pete,

Serial number is 8678. Too late for a Test Eagle, but interesting that the takedown number is stamped on the end in this range.

--Dwight

Pete Ebbink · 03-12-2007, 01:58 PM

I sent the seller (nice fellow to converse with...BTW...) the TE charts Ron Wood has posted here on the LF's Members Gallery with a note they have not been updated for some time and will be in Jan Still's new book which will come out in 1-2 months.

I also mentioned other "attributes" most collector look for in a Test Eagle versus just a commercial, germany-stamped M1900 AE.

Seller relies on older Datig info. that pegged the TE's in the 5,000 to 11,000 serial range. I mentioned Reese's book and the work Ron Wood has done over the past 10-15 years after that.

Pete Ebbink · 03-12-2007, 02:06 PM

Dwight,

A couple of years back, I owned a germany-stamped AE serial # 8598 which I sold to a LF member.

It had the Type 2 thumb safety (which the TE do) but did not have the 2-digits stamped on the right side of the TD lever shaft.

The seller's gun on G-B seems to have the Type 3 thumb safety lever.

Here are photos of my old AE I sold off :

Dwight Gruber · 03-12-2007, 10:53 PM

Pete,

Thanks for the info.

The takedown lever number placement is not a staightforward story--betwen the beginning of production and sn8700 or so it moved from the end to the bottom to the end to the face to the bottom to the end to the bottom. Check the Commercial database.

I think that sn8678 on Gunbroker has a type-2 safety. The raised-check area on a Type-2 extends about 1/3 of the lever's length; the raised-fluted Type-3 only extends 1/4 of the lever's length.

--Dwight

hqbmw · 03-14-2007, 11:34 PM

A few weeks ago, while visiting Jerry and Ellie Burney in Yuma, Jerry asked if I had seen his gorgeous 1906 AE. Of course, when two Luger Heads get together, there is the ever present challenge of "You show me yours and I'll show you mine."

Mine happened to be a pristine 1900 AE #5643 so we had side by side a 1900 and a 1906 AE and we all know what followed. I had never shot either of my 1900's for fear of the fatal main-spring breakage turning my gun into an $800.00 display piece and JB said he had never shot a 1900 either, so off to the desert to go back to back.

After loading 4 rounds into each beauty, we shot the '06 first, then the '00 afterward. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! The flat-springed 1900 was smooth as a baby's behind and well worth the nervouse pull of the trigger.

We both enjoyed the experiment and came away enlightened as to why GL used the flat spring in the first place (new technology aside.) I enjoyed the test and I beleive JB did also, then it was back to reality.

Jack Hiles
Mesa AZ
480 219 6676

lugerholsterrepair · 03-14-2007, 11:37 PM

I have to agree with Jack! It was a noticeable difference in felt recoil. Quite the comparison! Jerry Burney

Pete Ebbink · 03-15-2007, 04:38 PM

Hi Dwight,

You could be right on the G-B gun's thumb safety...I cannot make much detail out of a cropped photo :

cirelaw · 03-17-2007, 10:21 AM

Two give aways, From what i read, Test lugers had no importmarkings "GERMANY' And fell in the presice, serial range of #6100-7097 range, I recently acquired one, with no import mark and a serial number #6786, an has been verified by two independant dealers, i would be happy to provide closeups, AT SNOOKEM13@AOL.COM

Ron Wood · 03-17-2007, 12:45 PM

Eric,
I have had your Test Luger on my list for quite some time. Congratulations on your acquisition. The range of 6100-7079 is far from precise as there is considerable evidence that there are numbers above and below this range (7108 and 7147 were in the Bannerman purchase), but the exact range will probably always be a mystery.

cirelaw · 03-17-2007, 01:29 PM

THANKS, Ron, Its just so pretty,The workmanship,at that time, a hunred years ago is unbeleivable, Debbie make wear a sock on my wrist just to hold it, I should have the matching holster, next month, follwing ,my forth surgey,Thanks for all your support.

cirelaw · 03-17-2007, 01:55 PM

RON, I NEED YOUR PROFFESSIONAL ADVICE,what sort of professional protection long term presertive, would you suggest when you aquire your new gun,Someone mentioned BREAK-FREE,but that sound more for loosening bolts, i figured one who has ha years of knowlege in the [preservation and care of beauties, would have some suggestion wd-40 sound dangerous, THANK FOR YOUR ATTENTION

03-12-2007, 11:49 AM	#1
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Not a Test... Most likely not a Test Eagle...contrary to what the seller describes : http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=67592956 I have sent the seller a polite note...asking for serial number range... (Update : Seller confirms gun serial is # 867x)

03-14-2007, 11:37 PM	#7
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,863 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	I have to agree with Jack! It was a noticeable difference in felt recoil. Quite the comparison! Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-17-2007, 12:45 PM	#10
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 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	Eric, I have had your Test Luger on my list for quite some time. Congratulations on your acquisition. The range of 6100-7079 is far from precise as there is considerable evidence that there are numbers above and below this range (7108 and 7147 were in the Bannerman purchase), but the exact range will probably always be a mystery. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

03-12-2007, 01:52 PM	#2
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Pete, Serial number is 8678. Too late for a Test Eagle, but interesting that the takedown number is stamped on the end in this range. --Dwight

03-12-2007, 01:58 PM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	I sent the seller (nice fellow to converse with...BTW...) the TE charts Ron Wood has posted here on the LF's Members Gallery with a note they have not been updated for some time and will be in Jan Still's new book which will come out in 1-2 months. I also mentioned other "attributes" most collector look for in a Test Eagle versus just a commercial, germany-stamped M1900 AE. Seller relies on older Datig info. that pegged the TE's in the 5,000 to 11,000 serial range. I mentioned Reese's book and the work Ron Wood has done over the past 10-15 years after that.

03-12-2007, 02:06 PM	#4
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Dwight, A couple of years back, I owned a germany-stamped AE serial # 8598 which I sold to a LF member. It had the Type 2 thumb safety (which the TE do) but did not have the 2-digits stamped on the right side of the TD lever shaft. The seller's gun on G-B seems to have the Type 3 thumb safety lever. Here are photos of my old AE I sold off :

03-12-2007, 10:53 PM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Pete, Thanks for the info. The takedown lever number placement is not a staightforward story--betwen the beginning of production and sn8700 or so it moved from the end to the bottom to the end to the face to the bottom to the end to the bottom. Check the Commercial database. I think that sn8678 on Gunbroker has a type-2 safety. The raised-check area on a Type-2 extends about 1/3 of the lever's length; the raised-fluted Type-3 only extends 1/4 of the lever's length. --Dwight

03-14-2007, 11:34 PM	#6
hqbmw User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 228 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A few weeks ago, while visiting Jerry and Ellie Burney in Yuma, Jerry asked if I had seen his gorgeous 1906 AE. Of course, when two Luger Heads get together, there is the ever present challenge of "You show me yours and I'll show you mine." Mine happened to be a pristine 1900 AE #5643 so we had side by side a 1900 and a 1906 AE and we all know what followed. I had never shot either of my 1900's for fear of the fatal main-spring breakage turning my gun into an $800.00 display piece and JB said he had never shot a 1900 either, so off to the desert to go back to back. After loading 4 rounds into each beauty, we shot the '06 first, then the '00 afterward. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! The flat-springed 1900 was smooth as a baby's behind and well worth the nervouse pull of the trigger. We both enjoyed the experiment and came away enlightened as to why GL used the flat spring in the first place (new technology aside.) I enjoyed the test and I beleive JB did also, then it was back to reality. Jack Hiles Mesa AZ 480 219 6676 __________________ Jack Hiles Mesa AZ

03-15-2007, 04:38 PM	#8
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hi Dwight, You could be right on the G-B gun's thumb safety...I cannot make much detail out of a cropped photo :

03-17-2007, 10:21 AM	#9
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	Two give aways, From what i read, Test lugers had no importmarkings "GERMANY' And fell in the presice, serial range of #6100-7097 range, I recently acquired one, with no import mark and a serial number #6786, an has been verified by two independant dealers, i would be happy to provide closeups, AT SNOOKEM13@AOL.COM

03-17-2007, 01:29 PM	#11
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	THANKS, Ron, Its just so pretty,The workmanship,at that time, a hunred years ago is unbeleivable, Debbie make wear a sock on my wrist just to hold it, I should have the matching holster, next month, follwing ,my forth surgey,Thanks for all your support.

03-17-2007, 01:55 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	RON, I NEED YOUR PROFFESSIONAL ADVICE,what sort of professional protection long term presertive, would you suggest when you aquire your new gun,Someone mentioned BREAK-FREE,but that sound more for loosening bolts, i figured one who has ha years of knowlege in the [preservation and care of beauties, would have some suggestion wd-40 sound dangerous, THANK FOR YOUR ATTENTION