SOLD - Rare American Eagle Army Test Luger (6825 - 21574)

Description

8/10/22 - Here we have an extremely rare American Eagle Army Test Luger rig produced by DWM. In April of 1901, the United States Board of Ordnance and Fortifications put in an order for 1,000 of these Lugers following test trials in which the model was fired 2,000 times under the harshest conditions possible. These Lugers feature the Great Seal over the chamber, which was not included upon request, but rather was found to be a great sales tool for the Swiss market by DWM following their initial sales of the same model but featuring the Swiss sunburst. The characteristics that separate these American Test Eagle Lugers from the other Model 1900 Lugers are the lack of proofs, the lack of a 'GERMANY' import stamp, and the last two digits of the serial number on the right end of the takedown lever. This particular pistol features grips that are numbered and matching to the gun, and a correct wood-bottom magazine, though it does have a crack in the base. The pistol's bluing rates at about 70-75% original finish, with a nice profile but the majority of finish loss is on the grip straps. The bore has good rifling but notable frost throughout. As of the printing of Michael Reese's book, there was only about 100 of these known and identified in the accepted serial range (6099-7098)!