Distribution of 1000 Test Lugers and Holsters

[cirelaw]

Somewhere I had read how many Test Lugers and Holsters were shipped to what Army bases for testing. I've tracked West Point and Rock Island Arsenal. If I know the rest I can contact them for any more samples and possibly more serial numbers for Ron~~Eric

[cirelaw]

A wonderful air museum from our neighbors up north!!http://www.vintagewings.ca/en-ca/aircraft.aspx

[Ron Wood]

Originally Posted by cirelaw

Somewhere I had read how many Test Lugers and Holsters were shipped to what Army bases for testing. I've tracked West Point and Rock Island Arsenal. If I know the rest I can contact them for any more samples and possibly more serial numbers for Ron~~Eric

Not to stifle your initiative, but that ground has been plowed several times over. All of the available/surviving records of the distribution have made their way into the national archives and have been researched by several individuals. If you have a copy of Michael Reese's book on the US Test Trials Lugers the distribution of the guns is detailed in there along with much of the original correspondence (unfortunately somewhat difficult to read because of the poor reproduction) for the trials. Scott Meadows book on US Military pistols and revolvers has a full chapter devoted to the Test Trial Lugers and more legible versions of the correspondence. Most of the Test Lugers went to field units of the Cavalry and records in individual units are not held for very long. More recently forum member Clark Rickman has delved extensively into the archives and has turned up some hand written information on serial numbers that he provided to me.

There is no single point of contact at any organization or institution that will have immediate access to serial number data over and above what has been discovered so far. Only by personally digging into the archives as Clark has done is there any hope of finding more information. Blood, sweat and tears.

[guns3545]

Eric,

I have to echo Ron's comments.

In my earlier days as a collector of both Lugers and Colt Model 1911 and its predecessors, I looked extensively at the 1900 and subsequent Tests.

There is much data available and documented in several books with respect to the macro aspects of the tests and some very detailed information on the tests themselves and outcomes. BUT... as far as I have been able to see, in the 1900 test there was only one Army unit that actually reported by serial number on what precise guns were used. No one else bothered. And 1000 guns were distributed in one form or another.

Thus, the Bannerman purchase, by serial number, is the most definitive record at the gun level. Ron, please correct me.

On the other hand, we know that two pistols were delivered in March 1901 and one destroyed, but not their numbers. This led to the formal test

We know about the 50 guns delivered with the Powell Device but we do not know what specifically happened by serial number.

We know of at least two .45 caliber Lugers, and that George Luger personally conducted the test but no real data on others and precisely how they were marked. We know, or at least I have handled the two .45s involved but are there more? Perhaps, even likely.

FWIW.

John

[cirelaw]

Thank You both for clarifying the present state of affairs. I'm proud to own #6786!! I enjoy Test Luger prospecting! I am fueled by my Obsessive Compulsive Behavior or luger DNA! Thank You Ron for your patience and advice throughout the past ten years!! ~~~~Eric

[Sergio Natali]

Originally Posted by cirelaw

Thank You both for clarifying the present state of affairs. I'm proud to own #6786!! I enjoy Test Luger prospecting! I am fueled by my Obsessive Compulsive Behavior or luger DNA! Thank You Ron for your patience and advice throughout the past ten years!! ~~~~Eric

... and I own two 1900 "American Luger" # 7234 and # 14124

too bad our guns can't talk and teach us some pages of unknown history.


Sergio

[cirelaw]

Does anyone know what DWM marked luger was officially the last American Eagle to be produced?? Eric

[Ron Wood]

They were still making American Eagle "Safe" and "Loaded" marked Lugers that bore the DWM logo in the 1920s...of course these were produced by BKIW, the successor to DWM after WWI. And then Mauser was producing AE Lugers in the 1970s whose commemorative models had a "DWM" toggle.

[cirelaw]

There is nothing like the originals!!! Thanks for your kindness, direction and support!!! Eric