This is a very nice example of an original 1900 DWM "American Eagle" Test Luger as developed and sold to the U.S. Government around the turn of the century for test trials. In April 1900 the Ordnance Board authorized an order for 1000 DWM model 1900 Luger pistols, which were delivered in two separate lots; approximately 800 on 26 October 1901 and the remaining 200 on Oct 29 1901. The first lot of serial numbers were in the 6,100-7,100 range, with the second lot in the 7,200 serial number range. These early American Eagle Test Lugers were made expressly for the U.S. military when they were interested in the Luger as a replacement for the 38 caliber revolvers that were in service in the late 1890s and early 1900s. The three most distinguishing features noted on all these Lugers were 1) there were no German acceptance proof marks, 2) they lacked the typical "Germany" export markings usually found on the front of the frame or under the barrel and 3) the last two digits of the serial number was stamped on the rounded portion of the opposite side of the take down lever. The only other feature found on some but not all of these test Lugers was a small German ordnance proof that resembled the U.S. Ordnance bomb proofs. This mark was found on the bottom of the wooden magazine base and sometimes inside the front frame recess area. This specific pistol does have that mark on the magazine base but not inside the frame area. However we are certain that this is an authentic American Eagle Test Luger. At the conclusion of these test the 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 was also marked with the large American Eagle logo. Both sides of the barrel extension are correctly unmarked without proofs. The bottom of the barrel is marked with only the serial number of the pistol. It has the commercial style serial numbers with the full number on the barrel and frame with the partial number on the underside of the barrel extension and small parts. The wood base magazine is unnumbered. The pistol has the prewar blued finish with the safety, trigger, take down lever and ejector having a straw color.

Very fine with 75% plus of the original blue remaining, fading overall with wear on all the edges and high spots, as well as the front and rear grip straps, the top and sides of the chamber area and the muzzle area. The small parts retain 80% of their original straw colors. As noted the luger has all matching parts with the correct proofed wood base magazine. A very nice example of a scarce American Eagle Test Luger pistol.