1900 American Eagle Test Luger 7.65mm

This is a 1900 Model, 7.65mm (.30 Cal Luger) with the "old model" transitional frame with a Type II thumb safety and is not marked but is polished and the extractor is the leaf type. The Luger has a serial numbered grip squeeze safety. There is an "American Eagle" from the US Great Seal over the Chamber and the DWM (Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken AG) on the first toggle link. (1571)

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 gun does exhibit this 'commercial' designation. It also does have the "German" import mark required by customs for any weapon entering the US. This is one of the classic Lugers exported by DWM to the United States for sale.

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The frame is the long "old" model with the American Eagle seal over the chamber. The thumb safety is not marked but should be polished and extractor straw blued 'leaf spring'. The thumb safety is the 2nd design in the evolution of the Parabellum, rounded with dicing and represents a very early edition. This Luger has all matching numbers. The barrel is numbered and proofed and matches the frame.

The frame is the old model with the American Eagle seal over the chamber. The thumb safety is the Type II 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.

This Parabellum is all matching; the magazine is correct and does not exhibit any serial number but has the very rare "Germany" export stamp on the magazine. Not too often do you find a 1900 with such minimal wear, let along the distinctive fire-blued toggle connecting pins.

Above Left: You can see the serial number on the front of the frame and then on the bottom of the barrel along with the gauge markings. The Swiss were so impressed by the early Swiss Cross that DWM had the American Eagle initially engraved and then roll stamped into the chamber and so began a long series of contract guns stamped with nationality symbols.

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"


This model is a hold open variation. The first toggle link is marked with the DWM monogram. The safety is the squeeze grip with the thumb safety "safe" in the up position. Note the rebated trigger guard. The Serial Number is 4 digits with no small letter suffix characteristic of the commercial models which were numbered consecutively until 1923. No Stock Lug present.


Above There were two production lines at DWM; one line was producing for German civilian consumption which applied the early Crown B.U.G and the other line just the minimal proofs necessary for export. There Parabellums were the cleanest and most classic guns produced by DWM


In 1904, 50 of the American Test 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 part in the 1907 testing of the 9mm Luger.

The 1900 models manufactured in 1901 had the 2nd style thumb safety or what the collectors refer to as Type II short but with the deep hatching. The commercial Luger's were up to five digit serial numbered and the small parts were marked in a concealed location, commonly at the bottom of the locking lever and side plate.

The extractor is of the original configuration of a leaf spring to extract the round when fired. The Swiss recognized the weakness of this part of the Luger and installed a metal extractor with a spring which DWM then redesigned the extractor. The early Long Sear; the Type II thumb safety and Wide Grip Safety mark the early design. Note the side bevels 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 American Eagle or the US Great Seal is roll pressed over the chamber a custom DWM adopted after the introduction to the Swiss with the Swiss Cross in Sunburst. The Swiss were so impressed by the early Swiss Cross that DWM had the American Eagle initially engraved and then roll stamped into the chamber and so began a long series of contract guns stamped with nationality symbols. It was followed by the 1900 Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Chilean, Carlos I (Portugal) as a sale tool.

In 1905-1907 the Springfield Armory called in most of the M1900 Test Lugers; 770 were sold to Francis Bannerman and Co. at public auction around 1910. Reportedly, some of the Lugers did not survive the tests and were destroyed by the Army. The reported serial range for these 770 Lugers purchased by Bannerman are 6167-96, 6282, 6361-7108, and 7147. Kenyon, Costanzo, and Reese report a serial range of 6100 to 7100. In 1910 the Springfield Armory reported 321 Lugers in 7.65 mm repaired. In 1911 the Rock Island Arsenal reported 306 Lugers in 7.65 mm repaired (Scott Meadows, U.S. Military Automatic Pistols, 1993, page 386).


	Very clean and minty both inside and out. Most of these early guns were purchase and saved by the early owners and not used as "working" guns. sometimes we find some in the western states that have homemade holsters and show the wear that came with continual usage. There was recently a 1906 American Eagle attributed to a western sheriff with a holster rig at a Vegas Gun Show. The grips are inspector marked and serial numbered to the gun. Old catalogs list these guns originally from $18-$35 depending on the year they were offered. All that craftsmanship could be yours for $30.00; unbelievable.

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. Note the serial number on the trigger and grip safety, the long sear and early Type II thumb safety. See Kenyon "*Lugers at Random*" Page 57

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.

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 is a beautify example of the 1906 American Eagle DWM Parabellum. A 7.65mm pencil thin barrel this is the classic Luger with the squeeze grip safety. Call for availability; subject to sale over the counter. Any questions to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com