1900 American Eagle Test Luger


The frame is the old model with the American Eagle seal over the chamber. The thumb safety is the Type II and is not marked but is polished and the extractor is the leaf type. The safety is the squeeze grip with the thumb safety "safe" in the up position. The Serial Number is 4 digits with no "Germany" marked export stamp. These models did not have a stock lug but do have a hold open.

See Michael Reese III, 1900 Luger US Test Trials, for information on these one of one thousand US Military Test guns. Specific characteristics of the 1st Test Lugers are: Serial No 6099-7098, 7.65mm, 4 3/4" Barrel, no export (Germany) markings, Great Seal of US over chamber, no proofs, commercial style numbering, rust blue finish with strawed small parts.

The Great Seal was not a request from the US but was found to be a great sales tool by DWM when used on the Swiss Lugers. It was so well accepted that DWM began to put State crests on all their contract gun leaving us with these beautiful pieces today.

The short fine checkered thumb safety and the two number serial number on the small parts represents the 1901 criteria of the DWM manufactured Lugers.

Illustrated is the locking lever marked on the opposite side, with the last two digits of the serial number. This Parabellum is 7.65mm, and serial number placement is in the commercial ("hidden") style. This is fine, well struck example. The front site is dovetailed fixed with the standard site blade. The rear sight is "V" cut.

In the spring of 1901 Col. Frank H. Phipps requested a meeting with Hans Tauscher the DWM representative in New York. From that meeting two Lugers were procured for preliminary testing by the United States Army Ordinance Board. Two Lugers arrived in March 1901 and testing began on March 18th with Hans Tauscher showing the Board how the Luger functioned. These tests were successful and the Army ordered exactly 1000 Parabellums at $14.75@ and $ .85 for the magazines. After arrival they were shipped to Springfield Armory for official acceptance.


These 1900 Parabellum represent the very classic Luger that comes to mind whenever the name is mentioned. These 7.65 mm have a 4 3/4" or 120 mm steel barrels with no proof marks. On the opposite side of the locking lever these very early 1900s bore the last two digits of the serial number. In this case "48".

Note how the left side there is no visible serial number except the bottom of the side plate in the bottom of the barrel. The walnut grips are finally checkered and on this gun very well preserved showing very little wear.

The United States patent on the Luger pistol was filed on March 17, 1900, the model 1900 chambered the new 7.65mm cartridge. This was also the first Luger to bear the famous DWM scroll.

Above Left: Note the "flaming bomb" on the magazine. This was at one time thought to be a US Ordinance proof but has not been established that this was a DWM inspectors proof and has nothing to do with the Army Test Guns also found on other similar period Parabellums. Above Right: Here we see the dished toggles that immediately identify this 1900 Luger. The small latch that the toggle lock grasps was braised into the frame and will never take a blue. One of the clues to help you identify a real 1900 Test.

Whatever happened to these early and magnificently designed semi automatic pistols? At the end of the testing they were recalled to the Springfield arsenal where some were regarded as unserviceable or unrepairable and they were destroyed. The remainder were sold at a public auction. Francis Bannerman company what most of them for $10 apiece and $0.50 for each magazine. That price is impossible today.

In December 1901 the US Army ordered Rock Island Arsenal to produce a holster and rig for the distribution of the Test Guns to the various military units. During the US Government testing in 1901/02 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"

Above the gun has been cared for with minor evidence of wear and discoloration under the grips. Type II thumb safety, long sear and grip safety numbered on the flat of the grip and not on the above frame extension.

The stop lug bears the last two digits of the serial number ("48").

The first lug of the toggle bears the DWM proof mark and again, the last two digits of the serial number. Below, one can see the "48" on the breach block. Evidence received from the US Bureau of Accounting cents the serial number range of these 1000 test pieces at 6099 – 7098 and to remember 50 were sent back to the DWM for the 9mm barrels after George Luger had expanded the casing for the bullet to permit more powder and thereby inventing the 9 x 19mm upon which most handguns rely upon today.

The production of these guns occurred in 1901 which is the year that DWM switched the thumb safety from the long flat checkered to the short fine checkered design. The early 1900-1901 Lugers had the small grip safety while the 1902 began the wide grip safety.

In 1904, 50 of the Lugers were ordered in the 9mm configuration with the Powell Cartridge Indicating device installed. these are believed to come from the original purchase which were shipped back to Germany, reworked, refurbished and had the G.H. Powell Cartridge Device and special magazine installed. This took some time and these were received in 1904 and shipped to Ft Riley KS (25) and 25 to the President of the Calvary Board. On April 10, 1907 Ft. Riley sent back 24 to the Springfield Armory but did not take a part in the 1907 testing of the 9mm Luger.

While the US Military did not select the Luger they didn't reject it either. After many tests of both the 7.65mm and 9mm Lugers the US Army was provided the .45 cal Luger which after April 1908 DWM suspended the US Tests due to the military contracts for the Luger by Germany.

Located on the trigger are they hidden last two digits of the serial number. Removing the grip safety exposes the leaf spring which was the early design for returning the toggles into battery. One can also see behind the thumb safety when in the fire position (up) that this space is polished and not blued.

The test pistols were delivered in two lots in October 1901 and were disseminated as follows:

10 - United State Military Academy, West Point

15 - The Presidio of San Francisco

10 - Fort Hamilton, New York

40 - Fort Riley, Kansas

925 - 5 Each commanding officer of the 185 troops of cavalry

This is a really nice Test Eagle and falls well within the series of documented test guns of the American Eagle stamped Lugers. This Luger is in excellent condition and shows the honest wear of an original piece. SOLD

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