Offered here is an exceptional example of one of the only 1,000 Model 1900 American Eagle Lugers purchased by the U.S. Ordnance Department for troop trials with the U.S. Cavalry in August 1901. This scarce pistol (6413) falls well within the known approximate 6100-7100 serial number range (per Edward Meadows) for U.S. Trial Lugers, comes with an outstanding and rare Rock Island Arsenal manufactured test holster, and is documented to a U.S. officer. The pistol has an overall deep rust blue finish, and the small parts such as the extractor, toggle link pin, ejector, lock bolt, trigger, magazine release, and thumb safety lever have a straw finish. The grips are finely checkered European walnut. The magazine has a plated body with wooden base. The receiver has the Great Seal of the United States on the chamber. The script "DWM" monogram is located on the front toggle link. Small bursting bomb DWM inspector's stamps are located in front of the barrel lug and in the frame well. An "F" inspection mark is located on the left side of the barrel lug, and a "2" is stamped on the right side of the lug. The pistol, correctly, does not have the "GERMANY" export stamp applied to commercial Model 1900 American Eagle Lugers. The full serial number "6413" is located in the bottom of the barrel and in front of the receiver. The last two digits of the serial number ("13") are stamped on the lock bolt, trigger, grip safety lever, both grip panels, barrel lug, side plate, breech block, and both toggle links. The holster has "US" embossed in an oval on the center of the flap and a faint three-letter inspector's stamp on the bottom on the flap. The rear of the holster flap is marked "ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL" above the final inspector's initials "E.H.S." (E.H. Schmitten). Comes with a hobbyist display case. The pistol is listed by serial number in Edward Meadows’ "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols" on page 387 as one of the known surviving examples of the Model 1900 U.S. Military Test Lugers. Comes with a signed copy of Michael Reese’s “U.S. Test Trials 1900 Luger.” Reese signed the book to Dr. George Esker III and added, “Congratulations on owning test Luger #6413 with a mint test holster. Your rig is the finest I have ever examined.” In August 1901, the U.S. Secretary of War approved $15,000 for the allocation of 1,000 Lugers with spare parts and 200,000 cartridges for Army testing. All 1,000 pistols were received by the end of October. In November, it was decided that five Luger pistols were to be issued to each Troop of Cavalry, including the 11th Cavalry, Troops E, F, G and H stationed at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. While not independently verified, consignor states U.S. test Luger report No. 9242 references this Luger, serial number 6413, as being one of five issued to Captain Herbert A. White (1870-1947) of the 11th Cavalry, Fort Ethan Allen. The following information was obtained from the accompanying extensive archive of White’s military service records and is only meant to be a snapshot of his several decades of distinguished service. Iowa native Herbert Arthur White graduated 8th in his U.S. Military Academy class of 1895 and was appointed as a second lieutenant with the 6th Cavalry. He later returned to West Point as an instructor in law and history from August 1898 to 1899. He participated in the China Relief Expedition. Now a captain, White joined the 11th Cavalry at Ft. Ethan Allen on September 11, 1901 and left with the regiment on December 5, 1901 for the Philippine Islands. It was at this time that White received this Luger. During the Philippine Insurrection, he saw active service with the 3rd Separate Brigade in Batangas Province from February 10, 1902 until the end of hostilities. He left the Philippines on March 15, 1904 after serving in various capacities such as an intelligence officer, provost judge, and acting judge advocate. Superiors remarked in efficiency reports that White was “a bold rider” and “an excellent officer, competent in every way.” The remainder of his military career was with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. During World War I, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for "exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As Acting Judge Advocate General for the American Expeditionary Forces and later for the American Forces in Germany and France he performed very difficult and exacting duties with marked skill and distinction. In connection with the vast civil business of the War Department which passed through his hands he displayed a singular force of decision and sound judgment." He retired from active service with the rank of colonel in 1929.

Exceptionally fine with minor some light pitting on the frame above the thumb safety lever that indicates the pistol has been arsenal refurbished as writer has seen this on other U.S. Test Lugers. Wear is limited to minor finish loss on the high points of the side plate and some very minor take-down scratches on the barrel in front of the arsenal refinished side plate and on the back of the frame. 95% of the niter blue finish remains on small parts. Straw colored components have 95% of the golden finish. The trigger is restrawed, probably by a previous collector. The grips are excellent with very light handling wear. The magazine retains nearly all the original plated finish with an excellent walnut base. All of the markings are extremely sharp and clear. The rare Test Luger holster is in excellent condition. The russet leather retains all of the original finish. The "US" embossing on the front of the flap and the arsenal markings on the back of the holster are nearly new in appearance. The holster remains in un-issued condition with only some minor flex marks on the belt loop and mild verdigris buildup. This is probably the best Test Luger holster extant. The custom case is in very fine condition and compliments the pistol and holster. A very scarce and attractive, documented M1900 Test Luger and holster. Writer has seen few in this league.