1900 American Eagle Test Luger

This is a 1900 Model, 7.65mm (.30 Cal Luger), the "old model" transitional frame with a Type II thumb safety and is not marked but is polished with the extractor the old style 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. The serial number falls well into the range of the US Military Test Guns from the trials conducted in 1901 (1687)

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 not 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 as a test model.

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On March 9, 1901 the United States Board of Ordinance and Fortifications , through the commanding officer, LTC Frank H. Phipps ordered a meeting of the board with Mr. Hans Tauscher, the DWM factory representative at which the Mr. Tauscher procured to Parabellums for preliminary test and evaluation of the Board. On March 18th, 1901 with Mr. Tauscher present the tests began and after several days of testing the expended 2000 rounds and recommended the U.S. Army purchase sufficient Lugers (1000) to hold field testing trials and evaluation. Actual cost was $15,630 or $14.75 per Luger and $.88 per extra magazine (Wow).


The frame is the old "long" model with the American Eagle seal over the chamber. The thumb safety is not marked but should be polished and extractor is marked "Loaded" in English. 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. Not too often do you find a 1900 with such minimal wear, let along the distinctive fire-blued toggle connecting pins.

Left: You can see on the bottom of the magazine what some people believe is the flaming bomb insignia of the US Ordinance Corps. It is really an early DWM proof with the two extensions not touching. On the right you can see the close up of the Great Seal of the United States which DWM applied to the 1900 and 1906 models as a sales tool for the American public. 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.


On the bottom of the barrel and receiver show the last two digits of the serial number on the barrel stop.

Above Left: Another indication of the very early models is the installation of the last two digits of the serial number on the rounded side of the locking lever. This practice was soon stopped due to the difficulty of proofing on the rounded material plus the space one had to work with. The first toggle link has the serial number on the bottom of the toggle. The rear toggle has the serial number on the back.

One thousand test Lugers (7.65 cal) were delivered to the U. S. Springfield Armory in late 1901. Most were distributed to U.S. Cavalry troops involved in police actions in the Philippines and Cuba. As the American Cavalry troops had used revolvers (Colt .45 and .38) for over 30 years, the small caliber, complex Luger, was viewed with some suspicion and not readily accepted.

There were complaints as to small caliber, safety while riding from horseback, and unreliable action. As a result of these reports 50 Lugers in caliber 9mm were briefly tested by the Army in 1904-1906 and three Lugers in .45 caliber were tested in 1907. The Luger was rejected by the U.S. Army in favor of the Colt M1911 in 45 caliber.

The characteristics that separate these U.S.-American Eagle-Test Lugers from other Model 1900 Lugers are: the lack of proofs, the lack of a "GERMANY" import stamp, and the last two digits of the Lugers serial numbers on the right end of the takedown lever (instead of the left lower side) on the early models.


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.

A clean commercial all matching Test Eagle, absolutely correct for the 7.65mm 1900American Eagle bears the DWM early proof mark. These 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 early 1900 Parabellums had a smooth surface between the side plate and frame. 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 with the GELADEN printed on the left side. 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.

In 1905-1907 the Springfield Armory called in most of the 1900 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. The last two digits of the serial number appear on the grip safety, there is no stock lug and you can see the long sear and the Type II thumb safety. Below at (A) you can see the portion of the toggle lock that is silver soldered to the frame; (B) reveals the two ply leaf spring and (C) the locking lever is marked on the opposite side. All trademarks of the Test Eagles.


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. See Kenyon "*Lugers at Random*" Page 104

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.

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 1900 American Eagle DWM US Army Test Parabellum. A 7.65mm pencil thin barrel this is the classic Luger with the squeeze grip safety. Any questions to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com