This is an attractive example of a DWM Model 1902 "Fat Barrel" American Eagle Luger pistol that has been upgraded by the addition of a set of non-original "cartridge counter" style walnut grips. The original cartridge counter lugers fall into the serial number range of 22401-22450, with this luger being slightly higher. The U.S. Army purchased exactly 50 of these originally for testing with the unique "Powell Indicating Device" on the left side of the grip. This cartridge counter device was ordered by the U.S. Ordnance Board in late 1902 and was scheduled for testing in early 1903 and the Powell Indicating Device consists of two components 1) A special left grip that has a small slot cut lengthwise down the grip with a small delicate metal strip attached to the backside that was covered with a 3 1/4 inch very fragile celluloid strip. The metal strip was inscribed with black numbers (1-7) running from the top to the bottom of the strip, that indicated the number of rounds remaining in the magazine. 2) The second part was the special cartridge counter magazine. This magazine, although similar to a standard wood base magazine, has been slotted on the left side of the body and was fitted with a special follower that had a small pin/indicator projecting on the left side. This small indicator pin has a single horizontal witness mark on top and the pin slides up and down under the celluloid strip as the rounds are fired, indicating how many cartridges were actually left in the magazine; a simple but very effective device. These "cartridge counter" Luger pistols were issued in April 1904, to the Cavalry and Light Artillery for field testing. On July 4, 1904, the Cavalry Board issued its final test report which recommended that these Lugers not be adopted for service as the Powell Indicating Device was too fragile and did not hold up well. All were returned to Springfield Armory and eventually disposed of in the late 1920s, early 1930s. This example has the "American Eagle'' Crest on the top of the chamber, a short, fat barrel, chambered in 9mm Luger cartridge, flat/recessed breech bolt, dished toggles with the toggle lock on the right side, grip safety and first model thumb safety lever, with the unmarked and correctly blue lower frame/safety area. The magazine is nickel plated and has a wooden bottom with round metal inserts on either side. The full serial number "22476" is located on the front of the frame and the underside of the barrel, with "GERMANY" stamped below the serial number. The partial serial number "476" or just "76" is stamped on the various small parts with the firing pin and magazine unnumbered. This pistol has the high polish commercial rust blue finish with the straw color on the various small parts. There are distinctive features on this particular cartridge counter Luger such as how the numbers are stamped, the aged appearance of the internal cut on the upper left corner of the frame which allows the indicator pin of the magazine to be at its top position (indicating no cartridges in magazine). The small "dimple" at the upper top, spine of the magazine, in an indication that it is an authentic cartridge counter magazine.

Very good as assembled, with 60% of the blue finish overall. The smaller parts retain 30% of their straw colors overall. Mechanically excellent. The walnut grips and indicating device, although nicely done are non-original parts and add to the Luger. If you can't obtain a real one this would be a representative example to have as a display piece.