Rare, Cased American Eagle DWM Model 1900 Army Test Luger

Description

10/19/26 - This is a rare, cased American Eagle Army Test Luger produced by DWM. In April of 1901, the United States Board of Ordnance and Fortifications put in an order for 1,000 of these Model 1900 Lugers for troop trials with the U.S. Cavalry, following test trials in which the model was fired 2,000 times under the harshest conditions possible. They feature the American Great Seal over the chamber. The characteristics that separate the Army Test Lugers from other Model 1900 American Eagles are the lack of proofs, the lack of a "GERMANY" export stamp, and the last two digits of the serial number on the right end of the takedown lever, all of which this pistol properly has. Its serial number falls within the accepted Army Test serial range (6099-7098), rather than the "extended" Bannerman range, and as of the printing of Michael Reese's book on the subject, only about 100 were known and identified in that range. There is also a small military flaming bomb proof on the inside of the frame. All matching. It comes in a green velvet-lined wood presentation case with three wood-bottom magazines (one with a military flaming bomb proof, another with a hairline crack at the base), a spare firing pin, and an unmarked Luger tool. The gun has retained about 91-92% of its original finish, with the majority of the wear around the high edges and the muzzle, some light scratchy wear and marks on the front strap, minor spotty wear along both sides of the barrel, and a few scratches and marks here and there. The grips are numbered but mismatched to the gun; the left panel shows a small chip in the upper right corner, and there is a noticeable bruise on the right side. The bore has good rifling, but there is light pin-pricking throughout. The action is a little "gummy" from dried grease in the internals and would function much smoother with a good cleaning. A high-condition Army Test Luger, complete in its presentation case, that would anchor any serious Luger collection.