 The Model 1900 or Pistole Modell 1900 was issued to German officers and likely first saw combat in China during a bloody intervention by German troops in the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.On April 16, 1901, following a successful preliminary test of the Model 1900 at Springfield Armory, the U.S. Board of Ordnance purchased 1,000 "Model 1900" Parabellum pistols with 4.75-inch barrels, marked with what appear to be standard U.S. ordnance bomb proofs, but aren't, and "American Eagle" stamps over the chambers, and issued them to each troop of mounted cavalry of the U.S. Army for field testing, with the remainder to the light artillery and officers at West Point.In 1902, U.S. Army officials purchased another 50 "Model 1902" Parabellum pistols with 4-inch barrels, again in 7.65mm Parabellum caliber, for further testing and evaluation.