This is the classic 1906 American Eagle Luger.  From the 120mm barrel chambered for the 7.65mm cartridge this is a 'must have' for most American Eagle DWM Collectors. These were the first commercially sold in the US; DWM actually had to make the cartridges in those days. These were the export guns, stamped Germany and meant for the American market. (1891)

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During the US Government testing in 1901 of the 1900 Parabellum the American Eagle was employed as a sales tool and when the second test began in 1907 with the order for another 1000 pistols from DWM and 1000 holsters from the Rock Island Arsenal they all had the American Eagle. The acceptance by first the Swiss and then the Americans for their national symbol on the gun highlights the "contract gun series"

This is a 7.65mm Luger (.30 Cal) manufactured by DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken) in the classic 1906 configuration with the 4¾" 120mm barrel and grip safety.   The extractor is marked Geladen (Loaded) and it is mounted on the new frame with early extended sear.  The thumb safety is polished and up for safe. The rear sights are fixed and "V" shaped with the fixed front sight blade. The grips are fine checkered walnut and the magazine is the rolled steel crimped with a blank wooden bottom   Simply the classic Parabellum that with the American Seal on the chamber.

This was a very popular handgun in the United States prior to WWI.  The 7.65mm Luger cartridge was considered a powerful cartridge during the late years leading up to WWI.  In Europe it was considered the most accurate cartridge for target shooting and small game.

The use of the American Eagle was learned from the Swiss who wanted their national emblem over the chamber; this proved so popular that when the test guns were sent to the US Army they had the American Seal and continued that way through the '20's with the Stoeger guns.

In the years that followed the Swiss Cross and American Eagle on the chamber, DWM installed cross rifles on the Russian, crests on the Serbian, Bulgarian, Prussian, Mexican, Dutch, Portuguese, Brazilian, Venezuelan, Bolivian, Tokyo Electric Co., and  the Spanish Guard just to name a few. Remember these were independent gun makers whose success as was achieved selling their product.

The finish is superb on these early guns with the polishing and buffing done before the rust blue process was applied.  The serial numbers were marked in the commercial (hidden) manner under the side plate and locking lever.  Just a work of art.

As the Luger became more recognized, DWM began an active export campaign both in North and South America.  While there was greater acceptance of the Luger in South America the popularity of the Luger in the US was increased by the placement of the US Seal with the American Eagle over the chamber. It wasn't a contract, just marketing that brought about the American Eagle, one of the most sought after variations of the Luger.

This example has all matching numbers. The barrel is numbered and  matches the frame. The first toggle link is marked with the DWM monogram, and there is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link.

Above Left: On the left is the frame and barrel matching serial numbers with the serial number indicating a 1907 produced gun. There were no gauge markings on these export Parabellums. The early commercial Lugers never had any serial numbers on the bottom of the magazine. 

The magazine is the early steel crimped magazines with the coilded spring and plain wooden bottom. The early commercial Lugers never had any serial numbers on the bottom of the magazine. This one is very clean and matches the condition of this minty American Eagle.

The extractor is marked Loaded in English to tell you when there is a round in the chamber.  Note the bevel in the 1st toggle link which is characteristic of the DWM produced guns.  While every Luger was interchangeable each manufacturer has some small distinctions in their process that set them apart. The safety is the polished metal with a just a slight indentation felt with the fingernail.  This is the older thumb up safety changed in 1908.

There is a circle B under the barrel that some collectors have associated with a known Circle B Brazilian contract Lugers, purporting that these were left over barrels from the Brazilian contract. This "theory" has a couple of flaws worth noting. (1) No Brazilian contract gun has a circle B. (2) No documentation from DWM that the Brazilians ordered guns but more probably this was a Brazilian acceptance stamp. (3)There is no evidence until 1918 at the end of WWI that DWM began using surplus parts on contract or production guns.    Böhler Blitz Stahl was traditionally stamped in the whole on the underside of shotguns and rifles prior to WWI; to meet the size requirement for the proof placement in the block of 4xxxx  proofed Lugers with B.U.G. proofing

The non-military Luger always had a better chance of surviving in excellent condition because as a commercial someone paid good money for it and cared for the gun like it were their own.  This Parabellum is in excellent shape inside and out and with a little care can make someone a find collector's investment. The extractor is marked Loaded in English to tell you when there is a round in the chamber.  Note the bevel in the 1st toggle link which is characteristic of the DWM produced guns.  While every Luger was interchangeable each manufacturer has some small distinctions in their process that set them apart. The safety is the polished metal with a just a slight indentation felt with the fingernail. Below: This is the older thumb up safety changed in 1908.

This is the classic American Eagle Luger, in 7.65mm; the basic collector must have in any serious collection.  While these models are not 'rare' they are difficult to obtain in excellent condition as this one represents.  See Kenyon "Lugers at Random" Page 104

This was a very popular handgun in the United States prior to WWI.  The 9mm Luger cartridge was considered a powerful cartridge during the late years leading up to WWI.  The transition to this caliber was the reason that DWM stamped the Cal 9mm on the magazine. The use of the American Eagle was learned from the Swiss who wanted their national emblem over the chamber; this proved so popular that when the test guns were sent to the US Army they had the American Seal and continued that way through the '20's with the Stoeger guns.

As the Luger became more recognized, DWM began an active export campaign both in North and South America.  While there was greater acceptance of the Luger in South America the popularity of the Luger in the US was increased by the placement of the US Seal with the American Eagle over the chamber. It wasn't a contract, just marketing that brought about the American Eagle, one of the most sought after variations of the Luger.

 Holding an early Luger, a timeless representation of a personal level of quality and pride of craftsmanship, brings you back a hundred years to another century of weapons development. This Luger represents a piece of history and a turning point in our nations weapons procurement. 

This beautiful example of the very hard to find 7.65mm American Eagle 1906 squeeze grip Luger is collector grade and asset to any collection. This fine example of the Classic American Eagle is offered for $3,295.00 over-the-counter.

We reserve the right to withdraw any firearm from an auction site that is sold over the counter. We reserve the right to withdrawn any weapon sold over the counter.  If you need additional pictures to complete your buying decisions then direct Questions to: josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com