This is a solid representative example of a historic DWM Model 1900 American eagle test Luger that was purchased in August 1901 by the U.S. Ordnance Department for troop trials with the U.S. Cavalry. In April 1900 the Ordnance Board authorized an order for 1,000 DWM model 1900 Luger pistols, which were delivered in two separate lots. Approximately 800 were shipped 26 October 1901 (serial numbers approximately 6,100-7,100 range) and the remaining 200 shipped on Oct 29 1901 (serial numbers in the 7,200 range). This pistol falls well within the known U.S. "Test Eagle" serial number ranges. These early American eagle test Lugers were developed expressly for the U.S. military when they were interested in selecting a replacement pistol for Colt 1894 revolver chambered for the anemic .38 caliber. There were only a total of 1,000 of this model ever manufactured as standard 1900 commercial Lugers with all of them being hand selected at the DWM factory for shipment to the U.S. Army. These Lugers are highly sought after by both German Luger collectors and U.S. martial handgun collectors. The distinguishing features of these rare "Test/Trials" American eagle Lugers are: 1) there are no German acceptance proofmarks, 2) they lacked the typical Germany export markings usually found on the front of the frame or under the barrel, 3) some but not all had a small German ordnance proof that resembled the U.S. Ordnance bomb proof located either inside the front frame recess area, or in front of the recoil lug located on the underside of the barrel extension (this example has both), and/or on the bottom of the wooden magazine base (this magazine is not marked) and the last two digits of the serial number were stamped on the rounded portion of the opposite side of the takedown lever, (which this example has). At the conclusion of these tests all these Lugers were deemed inadequate for U.S. military use and they were all later sold to Bannermans for resale. The top of the chamber area is correctly marked with the "American Eagle" seal of the United States and are correctly serial numbered in the commercial fashion. They have the early grip safety, recessed breech bolt, dished toggles with toggle locks on the side, and were numbered with the full serial number located on the front of the frame and underside of the barrel with the last two digits of the serial number on the face of the recoil lug, take down lever, side plate, breech bolt, toggle assembly, side of the grip safety and the back side of both grip panels. Originally these pistols had a deep rust blue finish with the heat blue grip screws, front sight blade, and connecting pins. The ejector, toggle link, ejector, takedown lever, trigger, magazine release, and thumb safety lever have a straw color finish. It is fitted with walnut checkered grips and it has a nickel plated magazine body with an unmarked wooden base.

Fine with 50% of the faded original blue finish with the balance turning a gray/brown patina color, cold blue on left side of frame, with thinning on the front grip strap and left side of the frame. The grips are very good with nice distinct checkering showing honest wear across the tops of the checkering mixed with some handling marks/pressure dents on the sides, with a small chip on the left grip in the upper rear corner under the safety lever. This example has all matching numbers, except for the magazine which is correctly unnumbered. Mechanically excellent. Most likely, this example was one of the 1900 DWM test Luger pistols that was actually used by the various cavalry units.