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1902 GERMAN ARMY TEST LUGERS, SERIAL NUMBERS 22235, 22236, AND 22362
BY JAN C. STILL, JAN BALCAR, AND RON WOOD
Starting in April 1902, the German (Prussian) Army conducted tests of 55 Mauser C-96's, 15 Mannlicher’s, and 55 Lugers (Forty of these Lugers were supplied without the grip safety). Lugers with indications of German Military issue are found in the 22235 -22385 serial range). These Lugers are the 1902 Model, most bear a Crown / gothic D German Army stamp, have a 7.65 mm 4 inch barrel, old model extractor and breechblock, blank toggle, and a short 1902 frame. All have commercial style serial number placement. Some are reported with 9mm caliber 4 inch barrels of the dimensions adopted by DWM in 1906 and again by the German Army in 1908. Some do not bear proofs. These 1902 German Army Test Lugers are of great historical importance and represent an association between the Luger and the German Military that was to last until 1944.
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GERMANTEST1.jpg
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Figure 1. Left side1902 German Army Test Luger, serial number 22235. It bears a C/D gothic German Army acceptance stamp. Its 7.65 mm barrel is of a distinctive fat configuration and its serial number placement is in the commercial style.. (Photograph Jan Balcar)
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GERMANTEST2.jpg
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Figure 2. Right side, 1902 German Test, serial number 22235. (Photograph Jan Balcar)
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GERMANTEST3.jpg
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Figure 3. Top, 1902 German Test, serial number 22235. The middle toggle link is unmarked. These Lugers are of the highest quality fit and finish.(Photograph Jan Balcar)
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GERMANTEST4.jpg
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Figure 4. 1902 German Test, serial number 22235, showing the barrel and frame serial number. There is not a halo around the barrel serial number, which seems typical of these 1902 Model Lugers. (Photograph Jan Balcar)
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GERMANTEST5.jpg
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Figure 5. 1902 German Test, serial number 22235. Details of the C/gothic D German Army acceptance stamp on the left receiver. (Photograph Jan Balcar)
Kenyon (1991, page 84) calls this the 1902/1903 Danzig test and mentions “increased pressure from higher level military officers to those assigned to test duties at the Danzig Arsenal. .....scriptic “D” ...indicates receipt and acceptance by the Danzig Arsenal. Gortz has stated that he could find no evidence of such Danzig tests in the German archives. Gortz has established that the gothic D signified the government official that inspected the gun (not the arsenal)(Gun Collectors Digest Vol. 5 page 111-119). Are the Kenyon/Danzig documents available? Is there any update to the above information? Any opinions or insight on this controversy.
BY JAN C. STILL, JAN BALCAR, AND RON WOOD
Starting in April 1902, the German (Prussian) Army conducted tests of 55 Mauser C-96's, 15 Mannlicher’s, and 55 Lugers (Forty of these Lugers were supplied without the grip safety). Lugers with indications of German Military issue are found in the 22235 -22385 serial range). These Lugers are the 1902 Model, most bear a Crown / gothic D German Army stamp, have a 7.65 mm 4 inch barrel, old model extractor and breechblock, blank toggle, and a short 1902 frame. All have commercial style serial number placement. Some are reported with 9mm caliber 4 inch barrels of the dimensions adopted by DWM in 1906 and again by the German Army in 1908. Some do not bear proofs. These 1902 German Army Test Lugers are of great historical importance and represent an association between the Luger and the German Military that was to last until 1944.
Download Attachment:

72.43 KB
Figure 1. Left side1902 German Army Test Luger, serial number 22235. It bears a C/D gothic German Army acceptance stamp. Its 7.65 mm barrel is of a distinctive fat configuration and its serial number placement is in the commercial style.. (Photograph Jan Balcar)
Download Attachment:

76.4 KB
Figure 2. Right side, 1902 German Test, serial number 22235. (Photograph Jan Balcar)
Download Attachment:

63.02KB
Figure 3. Top, 1902 German Test, serial number 22235. The middle toggle link is unmarked. These Lugers are of the highest quality fit and finish.(Photograph Jan Balcar)
Download Attachment:

38.57KB
Figure 4. 1902 German Test, serial number 22235, showing the barrel and frame serial number. There is not a halo around the barrel serial number, which seems typical of these 1902 Model Lugers. (Photograph Jan Balcar)
Download Attachment:

59.3KB
Figure 5. 1902 German Test, serial number 22235. Details of the C/gothic D German Army acceptance stamp on the left receiver. (Photograph Jan Balcar)
Kenyon (1991, page 84) calls this the 1902/1903 Danzig test and mentions “increased pressure from higher level military officers to those assigned to test duties at the Danzig Arsenal. .....scriptic “D” ...indicates receipt and acceptance by the Danzig Arsenal. Gortz has stated that he could find no evidence of such Danzig tests in the German archives. Gortz has established that the gothic D signified the government official that inspected the gun (not the arsenal)(Gun Collectors Digest Vol. 5 page 111-119). Are the Kenyon/Danzig documents available? Is there any update to the above information? Any opinions or insight on this controversy.