Pair of Stoeger American Eagle Lugers 9mm Parabellum Semi-Automatic Pistols
SOLD FOR: $3040
LSB#: 220303GC061 and 220303GC062
Make: Stoeger
Model: Pair of American Eagle Lugers
Serial#: S4687
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1991-2001
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Toggle-Action Semi-Automatic Striker-Fired Pistol fed by a Detachable Magazine
Markings: Aside from the serial number, the markings on both pistols are the same. The left side of the frame is marked “LUGER / REG. US PAT. OFF.” The right side of the frame is marked “AIMCO INC. HOUSTON TEXAS” and feature’s the serial number is “S4686” on GC061 and GC062’s is “S4687”. The right side of the slide is marked with the Stoeger logo and “STOEGER IND. AMERICAN EAGLE / CAL. 9MM LUGER”. The top of the chamber ring is marked with the Great Seal of the United States (an Eagle with a shield). The safety notch coloring is mostly faded on GC061 with some residual red paint remaining and it has worn off entirely on GC062. The grip panels are plain except the right panel on GC061 which features the Schutzstaffel logo (two lightning bolts).
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is serrated blade fixed to a banded base fixed to the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the rear toggle link.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips on both pistols are two piece checkered wood panels. The grip panels on GC061 have been varnished and can not be removed from the frame without risking damage to the pistol. The grips on both pistols have light handling marks and lack any notable defects. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition on both guns.
Type of Finish: Stainless Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores on both pistols are bright and have sharp rifling. There is no erosion in either bore.
Overall Condition: The pistols both retain about 95% of their metal finishes. The pistols both have some light handling marks, but they lack any notable defects. The markings remain clear. The screwheads on both pistols have light tool marks and remain serviceable. Overall, the two pistols are both in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action on both guns works correctly. We did not fire these pistols. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: The two pistols come with a total of six magazines original to the Stoeger pistols. The magazines have standard markings and only light handling marks. Overall, all six magazines are in Fine condition. Also included is a Black leather holster made for the pistols by Stoeger with a pouch for a magazine, a detachable flap secured by velcro on the back end and a button to secure the front end of the flap. The Stoeger holster has some light handling marks and remains in Fine condition. Finally, there is a WWII style black leather Luger Holster featuring a flap secured by a strap with three notches, a magazine compartment and two two belt loops. The rear end of the holster is marked with a NSDAP style Eagle clutching a swastika and “P.08”. The holster has some light handling marks, but it remains in Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The Parabellum-Pistole 1908, commonly referred to as the Luger, was designed by Georg Johann Luger. Luger was an unlikely gun designer, born in 1849 he was the son of a surgeon, Bartholomaeus von Luger, and while attending university he served as a One-Year Volunteer with the 78th Infantry Regiment (Infanterieregiment 78 ein) of the Austro-Hungarian Army. While in the military Luger proved himself a skilled marksman and he began to develop an interest in the small arms technology. Following four years of service Luger worked a number of jobs in Vienna. Finally, in the 1870s Luger met Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher who recruited him as a sales representative for Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik AG (DWM). One of the company’s weapons that Luger marketed was the Borchardt C93 (named after its designer Hugo Borchardt) which was criticized for being too heavy and poorly balanced. Luger decided to rework the design and eventually secured a contract for his new pistol with the Swiss Army which dubbed it the model 1900 which was chambered for 7.65mm Parabellum cartridges. After some minor reworking Luger introduced the Pistole 1904, chambered for 9mm cartridges, which was adopted by the Imperial German Navy, the pistol was henceforth referred to as the Luger. A slightly altered version of the pistol with a smaller barrel was adopted for service by the Prussian Army in 1908, hence the designation P08. The P08 would become one of the most iconic weapons of the 20th century. Following the end of WWI Luger was bankrupted, he had invested in War Bonds which had become worthless following Imperial Germany’s defeat and worse yet he was forced out of his job by his employer DWM which sought to appropriate his patents. The ensuing legal dispute between Luger and DWM would be decided in his favor in 1922, but he was financially ruined by that time and passed away the following year at the age of 74. His pistol would continue to serve the German military during WWII (although the P38 was the Wehrmacht’s standard issue sidearm) and saw service in a number military and police forces after the war.
This is a pair of modern reproductions of Georg Luger’s exceptional P.08 handgun which were manufactured by Aimco and distributed by Stoeger. In 1924 Stoeger obtained the American patent for the “Luger” brand name used on parabellum pistols imported into the United States. From the 1960s through the 1980s Stoeger manufactured a series of Luger style handguns which proved popular commodities on the market. These guns, despite nearing the Luger name, were not true P.08 parabellum pistols, they differed mechanically from the original despite sharing a similar aesthetic. In 1991 Aimco, a Texas based company, manufactured these fantastic handguns which are incredibly well made replicas of the Luger P.08, and unlike Stoeger’s prior “Lugers” these remain largely true to Georg Luger’s brilliant design. Stoeger distributed the Texas company’s pistols which had a limited run during the 1990s and early 2000s. The aimco pistols were named the American Eagle Luger, after the Great Seal of the United States marked on the top of the guns chamber rings and on the base of their detachable magazines. These two specimens have the distinct stainless steel finish executed by Aimco on their Lugers. Additionally, these Aimco Lugers are both ergonomic and mechanically sound handguns. This pair of handguns exude quality and should prove a worthy addition to any collection. Good luck on your bid!