• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • t5Tommy Gun Madness: The Thompson Submachine Gun
        • Firing the Full-Auto Steyr AUG
        • m60M60 Pig: America’s Jungle-Eating, Belt Fed Freedom Machine
        • image-60a08f67My First Single-Action Revolver Purchase: Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR/.22 WMR Range Report
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
        • The Gallagator 10 day pack on the shoreline next to a hiking trail.Day Pack – Mystery Ranch Gallagator 10 – The Best Yet?
        • PXL_20240209_171721326Pic of the Day, It’s Graduation Time
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • civivi2Civivi Brazen Review: The Best Budget EDC Knife under $75?
        • G43_Gen3-107G43 Review: The Compact Powerhouse for EDC
        • Photoroom_20250403_201449ARES Watch Company Diver-1 & Field Watch: Unstoppable Tactical Watches for Land & Sea
        • CZ2CZ P10S – The Budget EDC That Gets the Job Done (Mostly)
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise

Weird Gun Wednesday: The “Million-Dollar Luger”

Today, I would love to talk about the “Million Dollar Luger” as a weird gun. When I first heard that the U.S. Army actually considered a Luger for review in 1906 I was blown away, for them requesting test guns from a different country, but obviously the person who contacted the Luger had a taste for style. For me, coming from German Decent I have fallen in love with the style of the Luger, and the history behind it, but to find out that they actually made some in .45 ACP blew me away. As it turns out, a very very small number of them were made, and some indications report less than six, as stated by a former plant worker for Luger, and even recently a carbine version was discovered. Good luck getting your hands on these, as a majority of those known to exist have found their way into museums around the world…..they get all the good stuff. So, let us explore the history and weirdness behind the “Million Dollar Luger”.

 

icollector

photo courtesy of icollector.com

THE HISTORY OF THE .45 ACP IN A LUGER

 

In 1906, the U.S. Army did lots of ballistics testing as reports from the field showed the famed 38 caliber revolvers just didn’t do the job during the Philippine Insurrection. When the Army did its testing, it was said that they used deceased human bodies, and even cows, and I am sure today that would be the front page news for months. It was from those tests that told the Army that the next service pistol needed to be in at least a 45 caliber.  Well, at this time, the famed 1911 didn’t exist, and there was few manufacturers that could meet the Amrys need for a semi auto 45 caliber sidearm. So, 5000 rounds of .45 ACP was sent to the manufacturer of the Luger, from the Frankford Arsenal in 1906, and the first .45 ACP lugers were finished in early 1907. On March 28 1907, two of the Lugers arrived at the famed Springfield Armory for test, serial numbers 1 and 2. Number 1 was the one used in testing, and sustained quite a beating, and number 2 was meant as a back up in case number 1 went down. Number 1 is believed to have been destroyed after testing due to the intense beating it took during the trials, and has never been found. Number 2 on the other hand went up for auction in 1989 and sold for 1 million dollars, only to be put back up for auction in 2010, and be sold for a little bit less than half of what it did in 1989. Well, we all know where the Army finally ended its search for the new sidearm, the infamous 1911, of which I am proud to own one from the second World War, a true work of art. But, what if the Army bought the Lugers instead, how do you think that would have changed the course of history? Leaves you with something to think about, as for me, I am playing the lottery just to own one of these rare works of art.

 

feature photo courtesy of taurusarmed.com

Share This

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • Removing Rust From Firearms? No Problem
    Removing Rust From Firearms? No Problem
  • My First Single-Action Revolver Purchase: Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR/.22 WMR Range Report
    My First Single-Action Revolver Purchase: Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR/.22 WMR Range Report
  • Hard Head Veterans Bump Helmet vs. the Wizardry of the ATE Gen III Ballistic
    Hard Head Veterans Bump Helmet vs. the Wizardry of the ATE Gen III Ballistic
  • Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
    Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
  • The Citizen Promaster Dive: Built Like a Bunker, Priced Like a Bivouac
    The Citizen Promaster Dive: Built Like a Bunker, Priced Like a Bivouac

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Ajita Sherer on The ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle)!
  • Raphael Hanna on The ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle)!
  • Daisy L. on CZ P10S – The Budget EDC That Gets the Job Done (Mostly)

Latest From SOFREP

News

SOFREP Evening Brief: Hamas Releases American-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander, Russia Launches Drone Barrage as Peace Talks Loom

News

Tenafly New Jersey Native Edan Alexander Freed by Hamas After 19 Months of Captivity

Editorial

Dr. Bob: A Former SEAL and Delta Force Command Surgeon Tells You How To Be A Winner

Military History

Medal of Honor Monday: Major General Patrick Henry Brady – A Lifetime of Courage in the Skies Over Vietnam

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...