1050

DWM 1902 AMERICAN EAGLE CARTRIDGE COUNTER LUGER

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 45,000.00 USD
DWM 1902 AMERICAN EAGLE CARTRIDGE COUNTER LUGER
SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. Cal. 9mm Luger. S# 22444. Bbl. 4" w/ proper somewhat "fat" profile. Mfg. as 1 of 50 w/ in S# range of 22401-22450. Created for U.S. trials as 1 of 1st Lugers to be chambered for 9mm Luger. They were obtained as an exchange for Model 1900 U.S. test Lugers deemed inadequate due to "small" 30 cal. chambering. They were mfg. w/ cartridge counter feature requested by U.S. Board of Ordnance & Fortification; officially called Powell Indicating Device recognizing its American designer. Left grip fitted w/ window having metal strip numbered 1-7; left side of mag. additionally slotted (normally solid) having sm. pin w/ horizontal groove installed into follower to indicate no. of cartridges remaining. Mags. were tin plated w/ wood bases having metal disks in dimples. Some bases were not marked, others w/ "Cal. 9m/m"; to the untrained they appeared to be a Swiss mag. as those had tin plated bodies & characteristic wood bases w/ metal disks. In fact, very early Luger book by Fred Datig alluded to the fact that cartridge counters were of Swiss design due to distinctive bases. Recognized expert Jan Still shows his example in his book of Imperial Lugers having S# 22443. Some examples w/ photos available have the cartridge counter legend shown w/ yellowed tone. This one very distinctive w/ bright silver appearance & proper black numerals. Proper early old model features include: grip safety, flat mainspring, dished toggles, early flat top extractor, no stock lug, wide trigger guard, strawed sm. parts, fin shaped front sight & S#"s in commercial locations plus short frame & receiver. All were refinished after modification for cartridge counter feature. Thumb safety area is not marked yet very faint outline of area that would have been polished bright. Matching numbered parts identified using last 3 digits on grip safety, side plate, receiver (on lug) & toggle assembly rather than usual 2 digits. However, takedown lever, trigger & right grip (penciled) numbered 44 along w/ grip markings of "D" on right; "G" on left. Full S# on bottom of bbl. Standard DWM on toggles & American eagle over chamber. Firing pin milled flat on portion viewed in breech block slot; finish of machining matches balance of firing pin. MAGS: 1 very good correct 8 rd. cartridge counter. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: sm. very good black leather grained synthetic attache style case w/ leather handle & dual locking latches (no key). Royal blue velvet like padded interior. All aspects very good to excellent except slight peppery oxidation on plated metal parts. CONDITION: very good overall appearance of rare Luger pistol. Most metal parts have typical high point wear as would be expected from use & holstering. Some typical thinning is at top of sights, at muzzle, edges of front frame rails, edges of trigger guard, some high points of receiver & of course the side plate. Both grip straps have patina appearance w/ extra finish loss on front strap yet grip safety has very good appearance w/ only slight pinprick oxidation. Occasional light pinprick oxidation scattered throughout. Fading of strawed parts w/ staining on thumb safety & slight gray tone to trigger & mag. release. Best appearing strawed part is extractor. Good grips w/ left having best appearance plus professional restoration to Powell Indicating Device; very sm. chip at top rear. Right grip w/ more diamond top wear plus extra rub wear near grip screw. Both grip screws have been shortened w/ marks on ends of shafts. Fair worn bore w/ dark pitting in grooves. Exceedingly rare significant Luger that would be the focal point of any advanced collection. (20-896/NW). CURIO. $30,000-45,000.