Novice With 2 American Eagles-What can/should I do with them

wbrewster · 05-10-2021, 05:51 PM

I just inherited 2 American Eagles (ser #'s 7788, 10470) and am interested in advice on what to do with them. One has broken extractor. Can/should I repair it? The other appears to be fully intact.
Can I soot them? Should I? Sorry for the ignorance, but I am not very familiar with guns in general and Lugers in particular.

Any comments would be appreciated.

STEINBVG · 05-10-2021, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbrewster

I just inherited 2 American Eagles (ser #'s 7788, 10470) and am interested in advice on what to do with them. One has broken extractor. Can/should I repair it? The other appears to be fully intact.
Can I soot them? Should I? Sorry for the ignorance, but I am not very familiar with guns in general and Lugers in particular.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Please post the detailed pictures. Thanks

Heinz · 05-10-2021, 06:30 PM

Hold off on shooting them. Post some good pictures. A lot of good pictures. Cell phone photos will work. After reviewing the photos of what you have the folks here will be happy to help you out.

wbrewster · 05-10-2021, 06:43 PM

Will do. I will get them up tomorrow

Ron Wood · 05-10-2021, 07:32 PM

Your #7788 is an interesting gun. I strongly suspect that it will not have a "GERMANY" export stamp (your 10470 will have it) and as such it is one of those enigmatic 1900 American Eagle Lugers with U.S. Test Trials characteristics but falls outside of the "accepted" serial number range of approx. 6100-7100 that were actually involved in the trials. I am looking forward to the photos!
Ron

spangy · 05-10-2021, 08:38 PM

Hi wbrewster and welcome to Luger Forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbrewster

I am not very familiar with guns in general and Lugers in particular.

Luger's are extremely powerful weapons that can and will kill you if used carelessly or without basic knowledge.

I would advise you to have both guns checked over by a qualified gunsmith ... He will look for proper functioning and check for cracks, headspace and chamber issues ETC.

2nd it would be wise to take a firearms safety course from a qualified safety instructor to become aware of all the DO'S and DONT'S of firearm use. I can't emphasize this point enough for a beginner shooter.

Welcome, be safe and have fun.

Major Tom · 05-11-2021, 09:00 AM

One dangerous thing about P08 pistols is that they will fire a rounf when the upper is removed from the lower (I don't recall the proper names of parts)! I've watched this demonstrated on UTube.

STEINBVG · 05-11-2021, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major Tom

One dangerous thing about P08 pistols is that they will fire a rounf when the upper is removed from the lower (I don't recall the proper names of parts)! I've watched this demonstrated on UTube.

Yep, Herr Werle has demonstrated it.

I'm not sure where I saw it, perhaps on this forum- during WW2 war camps inmates would steal uppers from the guards and use it for a concealed weapon.

It's ironic in the US, that the Luger's lower frame is the registered weapon, but the complete upper which is able to shoot a single round is not. Not that I'm complaining.

spangy · 05-11-2021, 12:08 PM

This is the Werle video on Luger dangers ... I have actually done this myself in my more daredevil days.

Luger P 08 safety advice by Herbert Werle, Waffen Werle Germany
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1zmp-vhylQ

The Luger can be easily made full auto as well ... not going to show you how but the gunsmith types here will easily figure it out

Luger full auto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXSqB3uUBAk

wbrewster · 05-11-2021, 01:41 PM

7788 photos link

https://rcdmlaw.sharefile.com/d-s708...d05d8b3f602cc5

Ron Wood · 05-11-2021, 02:14 PM

Thanks for the photos! Tom Heller (forum alias is Lugerdoc) can help you with an extractor. He has both original and new manufactured ones for $75 plus $5 shipping. Your #7788 is in pretty good condition and deserves a replaced extractor.
Ron

wbrewster · 05-11-2021, 02:20 PM

Thanks. He actually reached out. I will follow up.

wbrewster · 05-11-2021, 02:56 PM

photo link for serial#10470:

https://rcdmlaw.sharefile.com/d-s402...5335caf6b9528c

Ron Wood · 05-11-2021, 03:31 PM

That is also fine looking item! You inherited well. By the way, from the photos it appears that the side plate is not installed correctly...the little tab at the rear should go into the slot in the frame.
Ron

spangy · 05-11-2021, 03:47 PM

Both guns are very desirable wbrewster ... They are appreciating assets and have good value even with minor repairs needed in one.

Nice spot Ron ... or should I say Eagle Eye.

Edward Tinker · 05-11-2021, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEINBVG

...
I'm not sure where I saw it, perhaps on this forum- during WW2 war camps inmates would steal uppers from the guards and use it for a concealed weapon.
....

No offense, but I have never read this story from actual vets or prisoners.

spangy · 05-11-2021, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

No offense, but I have never read this story from actual vets or prisoners.

I have to agree with Ed ... this story in implausible as once the Luger was discovered 'missing' many would immediately be killed.

Just another 'Hollywood' fantasy I'm afraid.

05-10-2021, 07:32 PM	#5
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Your #7788 is an interesting gun. I strongly suspect that it will not have a "GERMANY" export stamp (your 10470 will have it) and as such it is one of those enigmatic 1900 American Eagle Lugers with U.S. Test Trials characteristics but falls outside of the "accepted" serial number range of approx. 6100-7100 that were actually involved in the trials. I am looking forward to the photos! Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-11-2021, 12:08 PM	#9
spangy Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 617 Thanks: 3,065 Thanked 1,057 Times in 429 Posts	This is the Werle video on Luger dangers ... I have actually done this myself in my more daredevil days. Luger P 08 safety advice by Herbert Werle, Waffen Werle Germany https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1zmp-vhylQ The Luger can be easily made full auto as well ... not going to show you how but the gunsmith types here will easily figure it out Luger full auto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXSqB3uUBAk __________________ Whoever said that "money can't buy you happiness" never bought a Luger. WTB - Take Down Lever & Trigger Plate (#90) for an Imperial Artillery.

05-11-2021, 02:14 PM	#11
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Thanks for the photos! Tom Heller (forum alias is Lugerdoc) can help you with an extractor. He has both original and new manufactured ones for $75 plus $5 shipping. Your #7788 is in pretty good condition and deserves a replaced extractor. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-11-2021, 03:31 PM	#14
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	That is also fine looking item! You inherited well. By the way, from the photos it appears that the side plate is not installed correctly...the little tab at the rear should go into the slot in the frame. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-11-2021, 03:47 PM	#15
spangy Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 617 Thanks: 3,065 Thanked 1,057 Times in 429 Posts	Both guns are very desirable wbrewster ... They are appreciating assets and have good value even with minor repairs needed in one. Nice spot Ron ... or should I say Eagle Eye. __________________ Whoever said that "money can't buy you happiness" never bought a Luger. WTB - Take Down Lever & Trigger Plate (#90) for an Imperial Artillery.

05-10-2021, 05:51 PM	#1
wbrewster User Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 5 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Novice With 2 American Eagles-What can/should I do with them I just inherited 2 American Eagles (ser #'s 7788, 10470) and am interested in advice on what to do with them. One has broken extractor. Can/should I repair it? The other appears to be fully intact. Can I soot them? Should I? Sorry for the ignorance, but I am not very familiar with guns in general and Lugers in particular. Any comments would be appreciated.

05-10-2021, 06:30 PM	#3
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 410 Times in 180 Posts	Hold off on shooting them. Post some good pictures. A lot of good pictures. Cell phone photos will work. After reviewing the photos of what you have the folks here will be happy to help you out.

05-10-2021, 06:43 PM	#4
wbrewster User Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 5 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Will do. I will get them up tomorrow

05-11-2021, 09:00 AM	#7
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 227 Times in 124 Posts	One dangerous thing about P08 pistols is that they will fire a rounf when the upper is removed from the lower (I don't recall the proper names of parts)! I've watched this demonstrated on UTube. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

05-11-2021, 01:41 PM	#10
wbrewster User Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 5 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	7788 photos link https://rcdmlaw.sharefile.com/d-s708...d05d8b3f602cc5

05-11-2021, 02:20 PM	#12
wbrewster User Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 5 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks. He actually reached out. I will follow up.

05-11-2021, 02:56 PM	#13
wbrewster User Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 5 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	photo link for serial#10470: https://rcdmlaw.sharefile.com/d-s402...5335caf6b9528c