Luger for Variety - DWM 1900 American Eagle 7.65mm

Were these the ones made to compete against the 1911 for the new service firearm of the time? I have heard of them, but never saw an actual one.

Congrats on owning such a fine specimen!

This pistol is identical to the U.S. Army test pistols. The U.S. Govt bought 1000 of these for the tests. The test pistols also had the U.S. Eagle on them. DWM continued with the Eagle for the commercial production, of which this is one. They also put the crests of other nations on them for promotional purposes.
 
Hi:
The only "American Luger" that I ever saw and handled was in the era of1980-1981. Working part time in a Florida Gun Shop, two older gentlemen came in to inquire about having a handgun "Re-finished". The handgun taken out of a leather handgun case was a "American Luger"!
After explaining why it was not a great idea to have this pistol "Re-finished" the gentleman owner of the Luger told me that years ago as a young man he was "Exploring" in the woods near "Little Bohemia" Wisconsin. On an old fence post he found this pistol. Inquiries at the local post office bulletin board brought forth no one claiming ownership of the pistol. The locals surmised that one of the Dillinger Gang members put the pistol on the fence post while climbing the fence to escape the FBI and being in a hurry forgot the pistol.
The Luger had only a slight discolor on the muzzle and otherwise was in excellent condition. The story sounded plausible and the "Discovery" most likely happened shortly after the "Little Bohemia Incident".
 
Dang! I wish I could have found mine on a fence post. Maybe I should go looking.

Great story for sure.
 
That's a gorgeous Luger. I can't believe how many parts were strawed. And the double layer recoil spring is clearly shown. Great gun, great pictures. Thanks.

Pretty much what I was going to say.

That Luger is just stunning! It's just amazing, for a 112 year old weapon!

I don't think I've EVER seen such an absolutely STUNNING example of this iconic semiauto pistol.

My 1936 Luger looks like it came out of a trash can, by comparison. But, it went through WWII.

Envy: I haz it bad!:confused:

ETA: I'm saving the pictures, so I can drool over them again and again!
 
Were these the ones made to compete against the 1911 for the new service firearm of the time? I have heard of them, but never saw an actual one.

Congrats on owning such a fine specimen!
Not quite. They competed against the Colt M1900 .38acp, various revolvers and various other odd semi-auto pistols.

When the 1900s were made, there was NO American .45 semi-auto. That didn't happen until 1905 and the Colt M1905, just an enlarged Colt .38acp.
 
Mine is in the 13,000 serial range and the breechblock had a different number. I bought it for 1,100 in 1989. I did fire it once, it was so tight, it felt like a bullet went off from in my arm.
 
Sorry no pics but-I HAD one of those so-called: "Black Widow" (Portugese Contract) Lugers at one time. It was a 1941 BYF--and as mint as mint can be. I no longer have it due to the 2nd case of the "Severe Stupids" I had.
 
That sure is a nice Luger. I have always like them and I have a 1921 DWM I bought from a tenant.

Regarding the lugers tested by the Army when the 1911 was adapted, I think the later test involved three Lugers (1907 trials) especially made in .45 cal. As I heard it they had fatter grips. Supposedly one was worn out and two still exist. These were the only .45 cal Lugers ever made in Germany. The army ordered 200 more, but for whatever reason Georg Luger returned the order.
 
Thanks for reviving this year+ old thread. And thanks again for the nice comments.

The curse of a gun safe is that all the toys remain hidden deep inside. It has been quite some time since I last had this Luger in my hands, and I actually enjoyed looking at the photos myself. I really need to pull out my collection of Lugers and fondle them a bit. By reviving this thread you have reminded me of what I am missing!
 
This was the last of them too, there are no 20,000 serial ranges for this, I had a 13,000 or so, and boy I wish I had it now, I only have an image of it on Flickr....Enjoy? yes sure, makes me wish I kept mine more.
 
This is my Baby here, the odd story about this gun is I owned it in 1989 the same time I owned my 1900, and I pawned it. I lost it but kept the box. So i always remembered the serial number. I sold the box in 2004. Last year I saw the exact gun (My gun) on Florida gun traders, still unfired, well I got it back. I did fire it too finally.
 

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That's assuming you are referring to my Colt TSMG (the only 1921 I have).

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Well I have to show you the 1900 I had. One of those things like "I owned one at one time" LOL. It is pictured next to the Mauser Parabellum I just got back after 23 years and my 1921 DWM Police. The serial was in the 13,000 range and I paid 1,100 for it in 1989. Now they are like what 5 grand in this condition?
 

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That is one spectacular 1900 American Eagle Luger!

Every gun nerd (I hate the term gun nut) needs to own a Luger at some point in their journey of firearm study. Mine is a DWM WWI military issue with a 1916 chamber date. It came with a nice 1939 dated hard shell holster and a couple of fxo stamped WWII vintage magazines. It has all matching serial numbers (except those mags) and is in decent shape but nothing like the OP's.

Here is mine

original.jpg
 
all of the dished toggle lugers are the best looking.
 
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