Born year for 1900 AE

[goldwing]

I just purchased a fine condition 1900 American Eagle Luger with a serial number of 8244. Approximately what year was it manufactured? Pictures will follow soon. Bill Hughes

[Edward Tinker]

hello Bill, would love to see pictures.

Dating is always tricky, I would say just after the luger test trials, so what, 1907-1908

Did you read the sticky in the archives section by Dwight Gruber?


Ed

[goldwing]

ED, thanks for the info, I will get some photos as soon as I can, I am 77 and still learning how to use these cameras. Bill

[guns3545]

Would estimate late 1900, most likely in 1901. Certainly before 1902.

Hope this helps.

John

[guns3545]

Bill,

I don't have access to DWM manufacturing data but I can research the Model 1900 US Test history and perhaps draw some conclusions regarding the manufacturing date of your SN 8244.

The first mention of the Model 1900 seemed to occur on September 7, 1900 in a memo from the US Naval Attaché in Berlin.

Now, the US Ordnance Department received two sample pistols on March 14, 1901 which were extensively tested.

The tests produced interesting results and in mid-1901, Ordnance authorized the acquisition of 1000 pistols. and 200,000 cartridges for the grand sum of $15,000. We know that the pistols were in two shipments which left Germany in September and were received at Springfield Armory on October 26th (800) and 29th.(200)

Now it is fairly well documented that these pistols were approximately SN 6100 to 7100 although due to the fact that no spare parts were ordered, it is likely that some pistols were swapped out and may range out of this bracket.

Now to your pistol. It is confirmed in correspondence from Hans Tauscher that the pistols were standard production AE guns. But since they were sold to the US Government, no export marks were applied. Since they delivered in two shipments, one could assume they did not have 1000 pistols in stock to ship at once.

Thus it is probably safe to assume that the Test Guns were built in the Second and Third Quarters of 1901.

Thus I would therefore deduce that your gun was produced sometime in the Fourth Quarter of 1901, certainly in the last 5 months or so of 1901.

Sorry I cannot be more precise and apologies for the verbosity. Maybe one of the more knowledgeable people on the Forum can pitch in with more details.

BTW, your AE is not on Dwight Gruber's excellent analysis of early DWM production. Your should report it to him.

Finally all the best, and may your weather always be CAVU.

John

[Edward Tinker]

Bill, sorry, I got confused with when they were sold;

In 1905-1907 the Springfield Armory called in most of the M1900 Test Lugers; 770 were sold to Francis Bannerman and Co. at public auction(in about 1910).

[Ron Wood]

Bill,
Is your 1900 "GERMANY" marked?

[goldwing]

Ron, yes it is marked Germany. Bill

[goldwing]

guns3545, thank you very much for all of the info you have passed on to me. BIll