1906 American Eagle 9mm Luger

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. (1959)

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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" 100mm 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.

The barrel is Crown B.U.G Proofed. Good crisp proofs on the frame left of the receiver and toggle. Collectors prize the guns that are BUG proofed. The Crown B (Beschuss) means the barrels were tested using a heavier load in accordance with the 1892 proof law. The Crown U (Untersuchung) means it was inspected after assembly and the Crown G (Gozogen) means a rifled barrel.

The Extractor is marked 'Loaded' in English for the American market. It was customary for the pre-WWI commercial contract guns produced by DWM for the installation of a National Crest on the Chamber and the use of the indigenous language on the thumb safety and extractor. On these early 1900 Models the thumb safety is polished. A very clean and well maintained Luger with all matching numbers.

This Parabellum is all matching; the magazine is correct and does not exhibit any serial number. Serial number placement is in the commercial ("hidden") style. The thumb safety is polished and extractor "Geladen" on both sides.

One of the things "known" about Lugers is that international law required guns made for commercial sales must show the country of origin. Usually this was done on the early Lugers by placing "Germany" on the front of the frame under the serial number. This Parabellum does exhibit this 'commercial' designation. This is one of the classic Lugers exported by DWM to the United States as a commercial version.

It is entirely subjective to give any Luger a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few Lugers are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria.

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. Not just beautifully marked B. U. G. proof but a Circle B for Böhler steel proof. The early commercial Lugers never had any serial numbers on the bottom of the magazine.

These Parabellum were intended for sale outside Germany The "Germany" export stamp denotes this gun was exported. These were the late produced 7.65mm with the short frame and receiver

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


This Parabellum is clean both inside and out. The barrel is very good with clear lands and grooves. Someone has taken care of this Luger the past 100 years. The Luger comes with a hold-open device. The front site is dovetailed fixed with the standard site blade while the rear sight is "V" cut. This is the classic American Eagle Luger, the basic collectors must have in any serious collection. While these models are not 'rare' they are difficult to obtain in excellent condition as this one represents.

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.

LAYAWAYS: Sometimes our "significant other" doesn't understand the beauty, craftsmanship and investment potential of one of these investor grade weapons. In these circumstances where discretion becomes the better part of valor we will accept layaways of up to one year with at least 20% down and some activity occurring monthly to insure that after one year the sale is completed. Cancellations of layaways forfeit 33% if done within two months, otherwise 100%. You can transfer a layaway to a consignment sale at any time. See "Legal" for exact terms.

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We honor a three day return policy. We will answer any questions, send you any pictures, as detailed as you want, to insure that what we are showing you is what you want to see, before you buy it. See Legal.

FIRING ANY WEAPON NEGATES ANY CHANCE OF RETURN!

WARNING: We do not represent these guns as safe to fire. They are not test fired before sale; they are sold as collectibles only. Prior to firing you should have it inspected by a qualified individual and abide by all safety requirements.

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