10/22/18 - Here we have an extremely rare and correct 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 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 each other but slightly off from the gun (76 vs. 72), and a rare, early wood-bottom magazine that is numbered to another early Luger. It has the serial marked sideways, and the bottom is in great condition with only minor dings. The pistol rates at about 80% bluing, with thinning of the straps and some finish loss on the barrel and sideplate. Very nice bore with no major flaws. As of the printing of Michael Reese's book on the subject, there was only about 100 of these known and identified in the accepted serial range (6099-7098)!
