This is a rare and extremely desirable DWM Model 1902 American Eagle 'Cartridge Counter' Luger pistol. This pistol is pictured on pages 36-37 and the flyleaf of "Luger: The Multi-National Pistol" by Charles Kenyon and on page 377 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols" by Edward (Scott) Meadows. It is also listed by serial number on page 387 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols" as one of the few surviving examples of this extremely rare and highly desirable Luger variation. Fifty of the Model 1902 Luger pistols chambered for the 9 mm cartridge and fitted with the unique Powell Indicating Device were exchanged by the Ordnance Department for 50 Model 1900 Test Luger pistols in the spring of 1904. The Model 1902 'Cartridge Counter' Luger pistols were issued to the Cavalry and Light Artillery Boards at Ft. Riley, Kansas for testing on April 19,1904. On July 4, 1904, the Cavalry Board issued the test report on the Model 1902 Luger. The Cavalry Board recommended that the Luger not be adopted for service. The fifty 'Cartridge Counter' Luger test pistols all have commercial serial numbers between 22401and 22450. The 4 inch barrels have the distinctive thick ('fat') profile. The pistols have a rust blue finish with 'straw' colored lock bolt, trigger, magazine release ejector, extractor, toggle lock, and safety lever. The front sight, grip screws, and pins have a niter blue finish. The pistols have a grip safety and thumb safety lever (the safe position for the thumb safety is upward). The frames have no provision for a stock lug. The Powell Indicating Device consists of a special magazine slotted on the left side and fitted with a pin attached to the magazine floor plate. The left side of the frame is machined to allow the pin to move to the magazine empty position. The left grip is slotted and covered with a 3 1/4-inch celluloid strip. Behind the strip is a scale of painted black numbers 1-7. The indicator on the magazine points to the number of cartridges that are in the magazine. The magazine is tin plated and has a wooden bottom piece. The magazine bottom has round metal inserts on either side. The pistol has the United States Crest on the top of the chamber. The "DWM" monogram is located on the front toggle link. The full serial number is located on the front of the frame and the underside of the barrel. The partial serial number, "449", is present on the bottom of the receiver lug, bottom of the side plate, the left side of the breech block and on both toggle links. The last two digits of the serial number are stamped on the lock bolt and trigger. All the serial numbers match.

Exceptionally fine. The pistol retains 85% plus of the original, blue finish. There is light finish wear on the muzzle, contact points and edges of the trigger guard, side plate, left side of the frame, and the right frame rail. There is some very minor surface rust on the grip safety, back strap, and lower portions of the frame. The straw colored components retain 60% of the original finish. The front sight and grip screws retain 50% of the niter blue finish. The United States crest, DWM monogram, and the serial numbers are crisp. The grips are excellent with light handling wear on the checkering and some oil darkening. The cartridge indicator cover has an attractive yellow tint and the cartridge indicator numbers are clearly legible. The correct magazine has nearly all the plated finish and wooden bottom is excellent. A very impressive, well documented DWM Model 1902 'Cartridge Counter' Luger that would be a stand-out in the most advanced U.S. military or Luger pistol collection.