1902 AMERICAN EAGLE C C TEST

1902 AMERICAN EAGLE CARTRIDGE COUNTER TEST

Go to: “IMPERIAL LUGERS 1900-1918: P.08-Army Lugers” for details and photographs of the 1902 German and Dutch Test Lugers and serial numbers of the 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Test Lugers.

The most frequent complaint that resulted from the American Cavalry testing of the 7.65 mm caliber 1900 Luger was its small caliber and lack of wallop when compared to the .45 caliber revolver. As a result DWM agreed to supply the US Army with 50 Lugers in 9mm caliber. These 9mm lugers were exchanged for 50 of the better condition 7.65 Lugers in the process of being tested by the Army.
In addition, DWM agreed to install a cartridge counting device developed by American G.H. Powell on each of the 50 9mm cal Lugers. A Powell cartridge counting device was supplied to DWM as a pattern and the devises were manufactured by DWM. Installation of the Powell device required modification of the left sides of the magazine, frame and grip (details are shown in figure 10-17 ). In April 1904 50 test Lugers with the Powell cartridge counter device, a 4 inch 9mm fat barrel, and American Eagle struck over the chamber were delivered to Fort Riley, Kansas. (Imperial Lugers, page 210, 213-214)


Download Attachment: 1902CCTEST1.jpg
32.87 KB
Figure 1. Left slant view of 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Test Luger (AECCT), serial number 22443. These AECCT test Lugers do not bear proofs or acceptance stamps.


Download Attachment: 1902CCTEST2.jpg
16.94 KB
Figure 2. Top, 1902 American Eagle CCT Luger Luger, serial number 22443. The barrel is of “fat” 9mm 4 inch configuration unique to the 1902 model.


Download Attachment: 1902CCTEST3.jpg
45.56 KB
Figure 3. Right side, 1902 American Eagle CCT Luger, serial number 22443.


Download Attachment: 1902CCTEST4.jpg
30.85 KB
Figure 4. 1902 American Eagle CCT Luger, serial number 22443, showing the barrel and frame serial number. There is not a halo around the barrel serial number, which is typical of these 1902 Model Lugers.


Download Attachment: 1902CCTEST5a.jpg
26.4 KB
Figure 5. 1902 American Eagle CCT, serial number 22443. Note the full serial number on the barrel and partial serial number on the receiver and middle toggle link. The barrel-receiver witness marks are aligned but at different angles.


Download Attachment: 1902CCTEST6.jpg
29.96 KB
Figure 6. 1902 American Eagle CCT Luger, serial number 22443. The area under the thumb safety lever is in the white. Reportedly, the safety area was blued over on some 1902 AECCT.


Download Attachment: 1902CCTEST7.jpg
29.35 KB
Figure 7. 1902 American Eagle CCT, serial number 22443. Details of toggle lock. The toggle lock was found to be unnecessary and eliminated on the 1906 Model.



Download Attachment: 1902CCTEST8.jpg
58.96KB
Figure 8. 1902 American Eagle CCT Luger, serial number 22443. Details of American Eagle crest stamped over chamber.