Lot 116

U.S. Test Trials DWM 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger

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U.S. Test Trials DWM 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger

Estimate: $75,000 - $110,000

Starting Bid: $65,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Excellent and Rare U.S. Army Test Trials DWM Model 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol Designed by Georg Luger based on improvements of the Borchardt pistol, these early DWM Lugers were among the most cutting edge semi-automatic pistols available at the turn of the century, and the U.S. Army Test Trials DWM Model 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger pistol remains one of the most elusive variations encountered by collectors today. In the realm of significant sidearms tested by the U.S. military, this one ranks highly. The majority of handguns in U.S. military service at this time were revolvers, with the search for a truly suitable semi-automatic pistol for widespread issue being a long road ahead. Tested alongside the Browning designed .38 caliber Colt Model 1900 and 1902 pistols of the time, the Luger pistol was a very strong candidate owing to its superior ergonomics along with its high quality of fit and finish. This pistol is one of only 50 manufactured by DWM on order from the U.S. Board of Ordnance for Army testing in the field c. 1902-1903, all in the 22401-22450 serial number range under an agreement that the U.S. would do a straight up exchange of 50 of their 7.65 mm Model 1900 Luger pistols they had on hand at Springfield Armory for these newer 9 mm Model 1902 Lugers equipped with the "Powell Indicating Device," commonly called a "Cartridge Counter," on the left side of the grip. Tempted by a potentially larger American order, DWM conceded to the request. The Cartridge Counter Model 1902 is nearly identical to the batch of DWM Model 1900 Lugers already in American inventory; an upgrade from 7.65 mm to the more potent 9 mm with the addition of the Powell Device, which consists of a specially prepared magazine with a cutout and guide screw extending through the left side of the follower and a 3 1/4 inch long slot in the left grip, aligned to match the magazine, with a guide numbered "1" through "7" and a celluloid window to protect the internals. When the magazine is fully loaded, the follower extension rests at the "7" position, advancing upward with the follower as rounds are discharged, permitting the soldier to determine his remaining rounds by merely looking at the grip. These Model 1902 Cartridge Counter Lugers were issued for field testing in April of 1904 to the Cavalry and Light Artillery Boards at Fort Riley, Kansas. Issuing their final report on July 4, 1904, the Cavalry Board recommended that these Lugers not be adopted for service. The Lugers were checked back into inventory, with two being stripped of their Powell Devices to be used on other pistol models being tested and the rest eventually released from inventory. Following this rejection, a new set of trials would be called starting in 1905, which ultimately led to the adoption of the Browning designed Colt Model 1911 pistol in .45 ACP. The pistol features the "fat" barrel profile, blade front sight and notch rear sight, the American Eagle on the chamber, recessed breech bolt, dished toggles with the toggle lock on the right side as produced during this time frame, and the "DWM" logo on the front toggle. These early Lugers have primarily a high polish commercial blue finish, various straw colored small parts, and nitre blue grip screws and pins. The matching visible full serial number "22429" is on the barrel and frame, and the partial matching numbers "29" and "429" are on the takedown lever, trigger, breech block, toggles, extension, and grip safety. The non-matching number "448" is on the correct pattern sideplate. The magazine and firing pin are correctly unnumbered. The left grip panel and magazine are fitted with the components of the Powell Indicating Device, the latter nickel finished with an unmarked hardwood base. There are distinctive features considered to be correct on this particular Cartridge Counter Luger such as how the numbers are hand stamped, the aged appearance of the internal cut on the upper left corner of the frame which allows the indicator pin of the magazine to be at its top position (indicating no cartridges in magazine), the polished cut section on the underside of the breech block, and the small "dimple" at the upper top spine of the magazine. Rock Island Auction Company has been incredibly fortunate in that we have previously offered a large percentage of the known surviving Cartridge Counter Lugers including consecutively serial numbered specimens on either side of serial number 22429; known examples include serial number 22411 (September 2021, Lot 3568), 22420 (May 2023, Lot 3323), 22428 (June 2020, Lot 1618), 22430 (December 2019, Lot 475), 22437 (November 2012, Lot 3512), 22445 (December 2022, Lot 3357), 22447 (April 2018, Lot 1649), 22448 (September 2010, Lot 3371), 22449 (September 2019, Lot 3607), and 22450 (May 2022, Lot 1426). Relevant information and other known examples can also be found in "Luger: The Multi-National Pistol" by Kenyon and on page 377 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by Meadows.

Manufacturer: DWM

Model: 1902

BBL: 4 inch round

Gauge: 9 mm Luger

Finish: blue/straw

Grips: walnut

Serial Number22429

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: The Joseph Scognamillo Collection
  • Condition: Excellent, retains 95% plus original blue finish, 70% plus original straw colors on the components, with some dings above the takedown lever, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The grips are also excellent, with the original celluloid cartridge window exhibiting a proper lightly aged patina and very crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to own a significant handgun in the story of U.S. small arms development!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000