1900 Test Luger and Holster

by
posted on March 5, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
luger.jpg

Q. I have a question about a Rock Island Arsenal holster stamped "E.H.S." that contains a 1900 Eagle Test Luger serial No. 70XX. It has a U.S. Ordnance Dept. flaming bomb on the left slide. This is stamped really deep into the gun's right side. The initials "J.T.T." are also stamped on the right side of the trigger housing. Could this be the personal Test Luger of 1900 of John T. Thompson, Captain, U.S. Army Ordnance Department?

A. When the 1900 "Test Lugers" were supplied to the U.S. Army Ordnance Department, they were inspected and stamped with the initials of the inspector, John Talifierro Thompson. They were government property and not the "personal" arms of anyone. Thompson was simply the inspector assigned to the project. All of the test Lugers had "J.T.T." inspection stamps. The "E.H.S." on your holster, one of 1,005 made at Rock Island Arsenal in 1902, is also likely an inspector's stamp.

--Bruce N. Canfield, Contributing Editor

Originally published January, 2006

Latest

Shooting For 1000 1
Shooting For 1000 1

Reaching for 1,000: A Study in Long Range Marksmanship

Calculating all the factors that go into a well-placed shot at distance can be a daunting task for those new to long-distance marksmanship, but when it all comes together, the result is gratifying.

ATF Proposes Changes to Form 4473

The ATF proposed a series of changes to form 4473 in May. If approved, the modifications would shave three pages from the paperwork and eliminate a lot of the previous form’s confusing redundancy­, trimming questions for both the purchaser/transferee and FFL.

Roar of the Muskets: The North-South Skirmish Association

The North-South Skirmish Association keeps Civil War history alive through competition shoots using Civil War-era arms at its Fort Shenandoah home base, as well as at regional shoots across the country.

Interest in Gunsmithing Grows as Potential AI Safe Haven

We’re told AI could eventually eliminate every job, and the trades will just be the last to go. But a pair of experts dedicated to training gunsmiths have a different opinion on the fate of their graduates.

Pietta Re-Introduces Starr Revolver Models

Late last year, Pietta announced it would be re-introducing their Starr revolver in both its double-action and single-action form, and now, the guns are finally arriving stateside.

Why the Murder Rate Quickly Fell to a Likely Historic Low

If the gun-control Left is to be believed, then the murder rate in the U.S. should be going up. After all, gun sales and ownership rates have been rising for the last few decades and anti-gun groups claim that gun ownership is the cause of violent crime. This, of course, is nonsense.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.