DWM Model 1906 American Eagle Luger, Very Sharp & All Matching, Blue 4” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1906-12 C&R
SOLD FOR:$3,481.00
LSB#: 160132WM20
Make: DWM.
Model: American Eagle Luger Model of 1906.
Serial Number: 45536
Year of Manufacture: 1906-1912 (http://www.germandaggers.com/Gallery/GL1.php)
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Toggle Action Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine.
Markings: The front toggle is marked with a script “DWM” and the top of the chamber is marked with an American Eagle. The back of the rear toggle, the bottom of the takedown lever and the left side plate, and the left side of the grip safety and trigger are marked “36”. The inside surfaces of the grip panels are also marked “36”. The front of the frame under the barrel is marked “45536/ GERMANY” and the underside of the barrel is marked “45536”. The left side of the grip frame under the grip is marked “8”.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “U” notch in the back of the toggle and serrated ramped blade dovetailed into a serrated ramped base fixed to the front barrel band.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut that show very light wear in the checkering. The right grip shows four small mars. The grips rate in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: The finish is blued. The safety, trigger, takedown lever, magazine release, and ejector are straw colored, and so bright they almost look gold plated.
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are two tiny spots of pinprick surface erosion on the left side of the frame above the grip and another on the left side of the rear toggle link just in front of the frame. There is thinning on the front edges of the frame, a tiny mark in the right side of the barrel, a few light marks at the right front corner of the frame, a tiny ding in the bottom of the trigger guard, and a few tiny marks in the top of the chamber ring. Also, the frame under the safety is unfinished and there is a drag line in front of the safety where it has rubbed. The serrations and knurling on the toggle knobs, takedown lever, safety and magazine release are sharp. The grip screws are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action works correctly. This pistol has both a manual and a grip safety. We have not fired this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single magazine. The magazine has what appears to be a nickel plated finish and a wooden bottom piece. The bottom piece is marked “Cal. 9m/m” in script on its bottom surface. The body shows a few spots of dark erosion and extremely light wear, and the bottom piece shows no wear. The magazine is in about Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: The Luger (Pistole Parabellum or P-08) is perhaps the most aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing of all autoloading centerfire pistols. It is also one of the strongest, most accurate and most recognizable service pistols ever made. Georg Luger developed his famous pistol in 1898-1899 (starting with the Borchardt/Luger transitional pistol). The Luger is, essentially, a much-improved Borchardt type pistol, which was itself based on the toggle action concept used by Sir Hiram Maxim in the world’s first practical machine gun. The Maxim shot its way to bloody fame in World War 1, which also became the combat proving ground for the Luger Pistol. Soon after the Luger was developed, a small batch was made for export to the United States (Model 1902 American). The attributes of this pistol must have taken a while to catch-on with the American shooters because it was not until 1906 that DWM made another 10,500, about 7500 in 7.65mm Luger and 3000 in 9mm Parabellum. This is a Model 1906 American Eagle Luger chambered in 9mm Parabellum. It is in about Excellent condition with 98% of its finish remaining. It shows two tiny spots of pinprick surface erosion on the left side of the frame and another on the left side of the rear toggle link that is barely visible. There is thinning on the front corners of the frame and a few light marks in the barrel, chamber ring and trigger guard. The checkered walnut grips show very light wear in the checkering with four small mars in the right grip. The bore is bright with sharp checkering and no erosion. All of the numbers are matching, the magazine is the correct type for this vintage, and the straw coloring on the small parts is so bright it almost looks like gold plating. With only about 3000 having been made in 9mm, this is a very sought after variant for the serious collector. This pistol is sure to end up in a Luger collection next to its commercial and military cousins.
