DWM Model 1906 Portuguese Army .30 Luger, MFD 1909
SOLD FOR: $1,500.00
LSB#: 190118RG01
Make: DWM
Model: 1906 Pattern Luger adopted as Model 1909 by Portuguese Royal Army
Serial Number: 1962
Year of Manufacture: 1909 (“Standard Catalog of Luger”, Davis, P71)
Caliber: 7.65mm Parabellum (.30 Cal. Luger)
Action Type: Toggle Action Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine.
Markings: The full serial number “1962” is found on the front of the frame and the bottom-rear of the barrel. The lower-left of the breech-block, bottom of the front toggle link, back of the rear toggle link, left of the trigger, bottom of the takedown lever, bottom of the sideplate, side of the grip safety and the bottom of the barrel-extension’s indexing lug are each marked “62”. We did not remove the extractor to inspect its markings. The inside of each grip panel is marked “B”. A triangle in circle Portuguese proof is marked on the bottom-rear of the barrel, left-front of the barrel extension and the rear of the frame. There is an “S” marked on the left of the frame under the takedown lever. The top of the front toggle is marked “DWM”. The top of the chamber ring is marked with crowned “M2” mongram (King Manuel II).
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a blade front sight in a dovetail on the front barrel band. The rear sight is a “V” notch on the back of the rear toggle.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut panels. The grips have a few scattered light compressions and light-moderate handling wear. The checkering is generally well defined, with smoothest portions at the bottom. There are no chips or cracks. The right panel is very slightly loose to the frame toward the top. The grips are in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: The finish is blued. The trigger, locking bolt, safety, ejector and the right side of the magazine release have a straw-colored finish.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The lands are bright, the grooves are dark. The rifling is generally sharp. There is light erosion in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges, most notably on the sideplate and barrel band. There are spots of light surface erosion on the left of the barrel band and the bottom of the barrel at the front and rear. Otherwise the barrel has only infrequent and extremely light freckling and light handling marks. The barrel extension and toggles show light operational wear. The left toggle knob has very light handling wear, the right has more significant wear toward the bottom, with some of the checkering completely smoothed. The grip frame has handling wear and surface oxidation in the straps, finish wear on the bottom-front of the trigger guard, a drag-line at the safety and a few light scattered marks. The strawed parts show scattered minor discoloration from oxidation with the takedown lever still having nice blue-gold around its outside edge. The screw heads have light tool marking with strong, nearly sharp slots. The markings are clear. This pistol rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Mechanics: The action works correctly. The receiver is tight to the frame. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a total of one early style tin plated magazine with a wooden bottom piece. The magazine shows light wear and scattered minor discoloration from oxidation with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The Luger (Pistole Parabellum) is perhaps the most aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing of all autoloading centerfire pistols. It is also one of the strongest, most accurate and most recognizable service pistols ever made. Georg Luger developed his famous pistol in 1898-1899 (starting with the Borchardt/Luger transitional pistol). The Luger is, essentially, a much improved Borchardt type pistol, which was itself based on the toggle action concept used by Sir Hiram Maxim in the world’s first practical machine gun. The Maxim shot its way to bloody fame in World War One, which also became the combat proving ground for the Luger Pistol. This is a pre-WWI produced export model made by DWM under contract for the Royal Portuguese Army in 1909. It is a 1906 pattern pistol adopted as the Model 1909 in Portugal. The Portuguese contract was short lived as the Portuguese monarchy was overthrown in October, 1910 and replaced with a Republic, in fact some of these pistols have been reported as having the crowned “M2” crest defaced as a result of the revolution. In all, there were only approximately 5,000 Portuguese Royal Army Lugers produced with this example, 1962, falling into the middle of production. The pistol is in Very Good condition with about 87% of its metal finish, matching numbered parts and strong mechanics. The bore has some light erosion in the grooves but has bright lands and should certainly be serviceable should you wish to fire the pistol. That said, given the low numbers produced, the Portuguese contract Lugers are quite collectible, and a pistol in this condition with matching numbers should attract collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible pistol CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.
