SOLD
35,000.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2010 Sep 12 @ 13:24UTC-5 : EST/CDT
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This is just a beautiful example of an extremely rare 1902 DWM Luger that has been fitted with the unique "Powell Indicating Device", commonly called a "Cartridge Counter" on the left side of the grip. There were exactly "50" of these pistols produced, and they fall into a specific serial number range (22401-22450), with the serial number of this specific example produced right at the end of the production range, which is probably why it has remained in such exceptional condition. This cartridge counter device was a US developed feature and was expressly ordered by the US Board of Ordnance for testing in late 1902 early 1903. The US Government then acquired these pistols in exchange for 50 each, 1900 Test Luger pistols in the spring of 1904. The Model 1902 "Cartridge Counter" Luger pistols were issued to the Cavalry and Light Artillery Boards at Ft. Riley, Kansas on April 19,1904 for field testing. On July 4, 1904, the Cavalry Board issued the final test report on the Model 1902 Luger, which recommended that these Lugers NOT be adopted for service. This Powell Indicating Device consists of a standard wood base magazine that has been slotted on the left side of the magazine body and fitted with a special follower that had a small pin/special indicator screw fitted on the left side that would move up and down, from the fully loaded, to empty position as the cartridges are fired. The left grip is also conversely slotted and covered with a 3 1/4 inch celluloid strip, with a small delicate metal strip underneath the celluloid that is painted with the black numbers (1-7) running from the top down, to indicate the number of rounds remaining in the magazine. The pin/special indicator screw on the magazine follower points to the number of cartridges that are in the magazine. Simple but very effective feature. These 1902 Luger pistols were actually a standard 1902 Luger chambered in the standard 9 mm Luger cartridge, fitted with the distinctive fat barrel configuration, recessed breech bolt, dished toggles with the toggle lock on the right side, as produced during this time frame, and feature a high polish rust blue finish with 'straw' colored lock bolt, trigger, magazine release ejector, extractor, toggle lock and safety lever. The front sight, grip screws and pins have a niter blue finish. The pistols have a grip safety with the first model thumb safety lever. The magazine is nickel plated and has a wooden bottom with round metal inserts on either side. The pistol has the United States Crest on the top of the chamber, with the "DWM" monogram located on the front toggle link. The full serial number, "22448" is located on the front of the frame and the underside of the barrel. The partial serial number, "448", is present on the bottom of the receiver lug, bottom of the side plate, the take down lever, the left side of the breechblock and on both toggle links. The last two digits of the serial number are stamped on the lock bolt and trigger.
BBL: 4 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 9 mm Luger
Finish: blue/straw
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: 22448
Condition: Near mint with 99% of the partially restored (gripstraps) blue finish overall with just minor edge and high spot wear overall. The grips are also in excellent condition with nice checkering on both sides with minor, light pressure dings in a few spots with some minor edge wear. The various small parts retain 85% of their straw colors. The most critical part of this model of Luger is the actual celluloid and metal strip on the left grip, both of which are extremely fragile and in this instance are completely intact with clear sharp numbers. To find any DWM 1902 cartridge counter pistol in this condition with the original magazine completely intact is truly a very rare find today as these saw heavy use during testing with very limited numbers ever produced. Certainly the center piece of any Luger collection.
Auction Location:
4507 49th Avenue, Moline, Illinois, 62165, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview: Open to the public Thursday, September 9th from 10 AM to 6 PM and Friday, September 10th from 8 AM to 10 AM.
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
19.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Please contact the auction house for the preferred shipper’s contact information
Payment Details:
Payment Information: Auction sales are strictly for cash, cashier’s check or checks (with prior approval of the management), MasterCard, Visa or Discover. NOTE TO ALL BUYERS: Method of payment will be U.S. currency or certified check drawn on an American bank. All sales are final at the fall of the Auctioneer's hammer. Buyer’s Premium: All bid prices “hammer prices” (means the price at which a lot is knocked down to the purchaser) will be subject to a buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser of 19.5% of the bid price. There is a 2.5% discount for payment with cash, approved check or wire transfer. The premium is added to your successful bid and the two together equal the total purchase price. At the announcement of “SOLD”, the highest bidder will have purchased the offered lot. This purchase is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchaser assumes full responsibility thereof and if requested will sign a confirmation of the purchase. The purchaser further agrees to pay the purchase price, buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes before any lot may be transferred. All items purchased by successful bidders must be paid for in full the day of sale. All items purchased by absentee bidders must be paid for in full immediately upon notification.
1. UNDERSTANDING THE TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE. The following conditions of sale make up the entire terms and conditions on which items listed in our catalog and addendum sheets will be offered for sale or sold by Rock Island Auction Company (known hereafter as "RIAC") and any client for whom we act as an agent. Any notices, posted or oral during the sale, are also part of our condition of sale agreement. These are the conditions of the sale. Acceptance of a bidder card or a bidder number constitutes acceptance of the following terms and conditions. The purchaser's rights and our respective rights and obligations hereunder are governed by Illinois law. By bidding at our auction whether in person or by agent, sealed bid, telephone bid or other means, the buyer or bidder agrees that the contract created by these conditions of sale is made and performed in the County of Rock Island, State of Illinois and further agrees that should any dispute arise from this contract the jurisdiction for contractual disputes is Rock Island County.
2. BUYER'S PREMIUM AND SALES TAX. All bid prices “hammer prices” (means the price at which a lot is knocked down to the purchaser) will be subject to a buyer’s premium 17.5% payable by the purchaser. The buyer’s premium shall be reduced to 15% provided the payment is paid by cash or the equivalent of cash (cashier’s check, wire transfer, or approved personal check). If the account is settled by credit card, the buyer’s premium then shall be the standard 17.5%. This is not an aggregate percentage on the total items bid rather a per item percentage rate. The premium is added to your successful bid and the two together equal the total purchase price. Some items are exempt from Illinois sales tax and others may be subject to Illinois sales tax or local sales tax. The tax is computed on the total purchase price. To establish a tax free sale, a copy of a valid reseller's permit or other instrument of information must be provided to our satisfaction establishing a sales tax exemption. Any purchaser claiming an exemption yet unable to provide proof will be required to pay the tax to us and seek a refund from the State of Illinois. Generally, all items shipped out of state are tax free sales. We have been authorized by the consignor to retain as part of our remuneration, the buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser.
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4. TERMS OF PAYMENT. At the announcement of “SOLD”, the highest bidder will have purchased the offered lot. All sales are final at the fall of the Auctioneer’s hammer or at the announcement of "sold". This purchase is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchaser assumes full responsibility thereof and if requested will sign a confirmation of the purchase. The purchaser further agrees to pay the purchase price, buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes. All items purchased by successful bidders must be paid for in full the day of sale. All property must be removed from our premises at the purchaser’s expense no later than 5:00 p.m. five days following the date of sale unless otherwise agreed. If the property is not removed, it may be transferred to a public warehouse for the purchaser at the purchaser’s risk and expense.
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