DWM Model 1906 American Eagle .30 Luger Semi-Auto Pistol, 1910-1913 C&R
SOLD FOR: $742
DWM Model 1906 American Eagle .30 Luger Semi-Auto Pistol, 1910-1913 C&R
WOA#: WY240407RW022
Make: DWM
Model: American Eagle Luger Model of 1906
Serial Number: 45591
Year of Manufacture: 1910-1913
Caliber: 7.65mm Luger (7.65x31mm Parabellum or .30 Luger)
Action Type: Striker-Fired, Toggle Action, Semi-Automatic, 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, bottom of the front toggle, left of the bolt, bottom of the barrel extension lug, the bottom of the takedown lever and the left side plate, and the left side of the grip safety and trigger are marked “91”. The front of the frame under the barrel is marked “45591/ GERMANY” and the underside of the barrel is marked “45591”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4?
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a base at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the back of the rear toggle.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have moderate handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering shows wear, but is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 4 or 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 60% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas and some other scattered finish wear, mostly on raised features. There is some scattered erosion and tool marks under the finish. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The safety has been braze-repaired where it rotates on the frame, concealed by the grip when assembled. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this pistol rates in Good-plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel assembly has barely perceptible play to the frame. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 8-round magazine with a black plastic floorplate.
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. Soon after the Luger was developed, a small batch was made for testing by the United States Army as the M1900 American Eagle, chambered in 7.65mm Luger with a 4 3/4” barrel. Another 5000-7000 American Eagles were made for commercial sales in the United States. When the “new model” Luger came out, several thousand more were made as the M1906 American Eagle, chambered in both 7.65mm and 9mm Parabellum.
This pistol is an M1906 American Eagle with a 4 3/4” barrel chambered in 7.65mm Luger. The pistol has matching numbered parts, a fair bore, and strong mechanics. It has been refinished, retaining about 69% of its new finish. It is rather interesting for the circled “B” marking on the barrel, most likely indicating that the barrel was a parts overrun from the Brazilian contract pistols. This marking is found in some commercial lugers in the 44,000-49,000 serial range. It should also be noted that the pistol lacks the typical commercial German proof marks found on these pistols, but does have the “GERMANY” export marking. The American Eagle pistols are generally highly sought after by the collectors, and with its matching numbers, this one isn’t going to be any different. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
