Hi Juan
Nice to hear from you again.
The â??MPâ? inspector stamp looks authentic to me.
In 1912 the Portuguese Navy ordered 300 Lugers from DWM, these are commonly called RP Crown lugers as they had the Republic of Portugal crest on the receiver. The crest has been removed from your gun. These guns had a serial range of 350 to 650, at about SN 500 the MP stamp stops being used so your guns upper receiver original SN was between 350 and 500. we can determine the original serial number of your gun by looking at the bottom of the upper receiver near the lug, there should be two numbers on the lug and another one off the lug.
The guns lower frame is interesting the RP lugers were originally grip safety models and your gun is not. So it has been converted â??the grip safety removed and a post 1916 relieved sear bar installed. I believe the frame is original to the gun as the worker marks are consistent with the RPâ??s that I own and have documented.
The guns serial number has been modified, the original three digits have been over stamped and a 2 added to the beginning of the number.
I would like to know what the original serial number of the gun was, there are not many Portuguese Navyâ??s and even though yours has been modified it looks to be authentic â??why it has been changed and how many more suffered the same fate may never be know.
By the way, can you describe the magazine/s that came with your gun?
Any markings on the bottom?
Looking forward to your reply!
Vern
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