Fate of 1900 Test Lugers

drbuster · 06-16-2007, 08:50 PM

The long (now ended) discussion between Eric, Albert, Ron and others has stimulated my interest in what happened to all the test lugers. Albert states unequivically that "pristine" 1900 test lugers have to be restored because they received hard wear by use in the field. It is accepted that 1000 of these guns were originally sent for testing but out of range lugers bearing features of the 1900 test have been shown to exist. A large number of test lugers were sold off to Bannerman's after they failed to win the coveted US contract. The subject of the holsters also has come up, some stating that there had to be initials of the accepting ordnance officer on the outside flap. Then it was suggested that not all the holsters were initialed, especially those that went to military outposts such as the Prisidios of San Francisco and Monterey. Thus, there may well have been more than 1000 AE lugers that bear test characteristics. Not only that, but since we were not at war in 1900, it is possible that a number of these lugers could have came through in good condition. I just don't think one can say that to be a "real" test luger, it has to be worn. I have to believe that as, in addition to Eric's test luger, I have seen close up and in good light, two others in near 98% condition.

06-16-2007, 08:50 PM	#1
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Fate of 1900 Test Lugers The long (now ended) discussion between Eric, Albert, Ron and others has stimulated my interest in what happened to all the test lugers. Albert states unequivically that "pristine" 1900 test lugers have to be restored because they received hard wear by use in the field. It is accepted that 1000 of these guns were originally sent for testing but out of range lugers bearing features of the 1900 test have been shown to exist. A large number of test lugers were sold off to Bannerman's after they failed to win the coveted US contract. The subject of the holsters also has come up, some stating that there had to be initials of the accepting ordnance officer on the outside flap. Then it was suggested that not all the holsters were initialed, especially those that went to military outposts such as the Prisidios of San Francisco and Monterey. Thus, there may well have been more than 1000 AE lugers that bear test characteristics. Not only that, but since we were not at war in 1900, it is possible that a number of these lugers could have came through in good condition. I just don't think one can say that to be a "real" test luger, it has to be worn. I have to believe that as, in addition to Eric's test luger, I have seen close up and in good light, two others in near 98% condition.