Portuguese Contract GNR
 

I submit to you a pristine 1935/06 Mauser Banner GNR, .30 Luger, original finish, 98% Blue, 98+% Straw, perfect grips, perfect bore, all matching and correct un-numbered aluminum bottom magazine. The STORY:This GNR is 1 of the 564 made in 1935. These Mauser Banner Portuguese contracts were issued to the elite National Guard of Portugal. In the 1960's the Portuguese Government surplussed the GNR'S they had left and they were imported to the U.S. This was not one of those imported GNR'S. A U.S. citizen was sailing around the south pacific and acquired this GNR from a horse trader and brought it back to the States. This GNR had been preserved in a block of palm oil. Thanks for looking, enjoy!

More pics. Total of 14

Were those issued with aluminum-bottom magazines?
It's an interesting variation. 1906 Model features on a Mauser Banner.
A very nice gun, by the way...
dju

Very nice!

Thank you guys. Yes, GNR's were issued with aluminum bottom mags as that is what Mauser was producing in 1935 for their banner's, commercials, even though the GNR otherwise is a throwback to their previous 1906 design. Interestingly, I know some GNR's have been found with Portuguese M2 wood bottom, un-numbered, Portuguese proofed (triangle inside a circle) magazines. The GNR's look better with the wood bottom mags because they have the '06 style (see 2 added pics). I believe these earlier extra mags were issued out by the Portuguese Govt with their lugers or at least were mixed in by the time they were surplussed out.

You may add to that. If you find a "GNR" with "matching" magazine. Someone overstreched it.;)

The 06 style grip safety was a specific request from the GNR. The Navy did the same thing when they wished to complement their inventories.

I don't believe the circle triangle was a Portuguese proof, but a factory mark applied by DWM.
There is some discussion about this in threads on this board, and also marking info the the Goerz and Sturgess books.

OK. It's been years since I researched this, but as I recall this might be noted in the World of Lugers Proof marks or maybe a different book. I will have to check on this when I get a chance, thanks. Of course my Luger books are no more current than the 1980's, and not everything is gospel in these books as we all know. I don't have the Goerz and Sturgess books. Thanks for the input. Mark

Don, I found my World of Lugers Proof Marks book. You are correct the triangle in a circle proof is a 1900 to 1906 DWM proof for Portuguese Military/Commercial contracts. Costanzo writes that this proof is found on the left receiver, bottom barrel and above rear lanyard ring. Costanzo also notes this proof is found on the magazine bottom. See page # 156. I did not mean to state this was a Portuguese Govt. proof, poor wording on my part, just that it is a proper proof for Portuguese Lugers as explained above. Thanks for correcting my poor wording. Mark

Don, if you can direct me to the thread you mentioned about the proof I would appreciate it. Thanks, Mark

I would just do a forum search, maybe one of the guys more interested in Portuguese lugers will have it.
I just did and there are four pages of threads that come up with "circle triangle"; you might also try Portuguese marking or some such.

And it may have been on the "other" luger forum.:cheers:

You are correct that the original mag for your GNR should have the nickeled tube with the an aluminum bottom, numbered to the pistol with the "flowing" large V suffix and no WaA. TH

Doc, on GNR's the mag bottom is not numbered to the pistol.

The magazine in Mark's (sdmark777) Luger is correct for a GNR...they are unmarked, no number or circle/triangle. Only the wood bottom M2 Portuguese magazines have the circle/triangle mark and they also are not numbered.
Ron

Update on my gnr!
 

As previously posted I have this very sweet GNR, which I have had for a very long time. I have finally put together a very nice set/rig for my GNR. Over the past couple of years I acquired an extra mag, cleaning rod and pin punch. This past weekend I went to the Crossroads / Small Arms Review Gunshow in Phoenix, Arizona. I found two GNR holsters that I liked. One was $390.00 with better condition over all and deeper/more readable stampings. The other was nice and better than a lot of the GNR holsters I have found over the years and priced at $200.00. So I got the $200.00 holster and a correct unmarked Mauser Loading Tool for $75.00. Just thought I would share. P.S. Got to meet up with G.T. at the show and talk as usual. Always good talking to G.T.

more pics

Here are the places you'll find the triangle/circle DWM inspection marks on the M1908 Portuguese Lugers; left receiver, under the barrel, back of the frame. left toggle grip and the mag base. Also, apparently some magazines were numbered while others were not as I have both unnumbered and numbered mags.

https://i.imgur.com/5xItJmG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TtpL906.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jV75VPQ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4FIxJEJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/SWge6gQ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XSvinJQ.jpg