This is an example of an original 1900 DWM "American Eagle" Test Luger as developed and sold to the U.S. Government after the turn of the century for U.S. test trials. 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 on 26 October 1901 and the remaining 200 on 29 October 1901. The first lot of serial numbers were in the 6100-7100 range, and the second lot were in the 7200 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 proofmarks, 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 were stamped on the rounded portion of the opposite side of the takedown 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 the mark on the inside the frame area but not on the magazine base. This specific example falls right in the middle of the known documented serial number range in the book "1900 Luger, U.S. Test Trials" by Reese, with recorded numbers 6532 and 6539 listed therein. At the conclusion of these tests 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 (34) on the recoil lug on the underside of the barrel extension (which is also stamped with the small ordnance bomb type proof) the takedown lever, side plate, breechblock, toggle assembly, and small parts. The grips and magazine are unnumbered. The pistol has the pre-war blued finish with the safety, trigger, takedown lever and ejector having a straw color. This scarce pistol comes with a copy of the noted reference book.

Fine with 60% of the faded original blue finish with edge and high spot wear with blue loss on the front frame rails, side plate hump and muzzle area with thinning and light brown oxidation on the grip straps. The area under the safety lever has been refinished. The smaller parts retain 50% of their original straw colors with slightly more in the protected areas. Strangely, a triangular piece is broke off of the safety sear block extension. It does not affect the function of the safety though. The grips are very good with distinct checkering showing wear across the tops of the checkering on both sides mixed with handling marks and light pressure dents. Clearly an authentic DWM Model 1900 Test Eagle Luger pistol.