DWM 1906 Portuguese Army 1909 M2 7.65 .30 Luger Semi-Auto Pistol, 1909 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1854
LSB#: 210609MW20
Make: DWM
Model: 1906 Pattern Luger adopted as Model 1909 by Portuguese Royal Army
Serial Number: 2840
Year of Manufacture: 1909
Caliber: 7.65mm Parabellum (.30 Cal. Luger)
Action Type: Toggle Action Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine.
Markings: The full serial number “2840” is found on the front of the frame and the bottom-rear of the barrel. The 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 “40”. The extractor is marked “CARREGADA” (“LOADED” in Portuguese). 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. The top of the front toggle is marked “DWM”. The top of the chamber ring is marked with crowned “M2” monogram (King Manuel II). Many of the exposed markings have been filled in white.
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 right panel has a patch of compressed checkers behind the magazine release and there are some other scattered spots with less notable compressions. There are a few light nicks and scuffs. The checkering is otherwise generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips are in 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 mostly bright, the grooves are gray. The rifling is generally sharp. There is light erosion, mostly in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas show light handling wear and minor oxidation, most notable at the bottom of the frontstrap and the bottom-front of the trigger guard. There are some scattered light nicks and scuffs. There is wear on the left of the front sight boss. Most of the strawed finish has muted, strongest on the ejector. There is infrequent minor erosion, most on the barrel and right frame-rail. The action shows operational wear. The right grip screw is sharp, the left is disfigured with a useable slot. 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 wood has a triangle in circle Portuguese inspection mark. 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. 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, 2840, falling into the middle of production. The pistol is in Very Good condition with about 85% of its metal finish, matching numbered parts and strong mechanics. The bore has some light erosion but has mostly 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!