M2 Portuguese

Big Norm · 09-27-2002, 07:22 PM

I took delivery of my new M2 Portuguses 30 cal today. The gun is absolutely GEORGEOUS. I looked at 'Lugers At Random' to see if it compared to what is written about it. Some different stuff from what I have and what is written. [img]confused.gif[/img]

1. My serial number is 15850 on the frame and on the barrel. But Kenyon says that there should be 1 to 4 numbers.

2. The trigger, barrel lock, and side plate say 85. The rear toggle lip and the little cap that helps the locking bolt hold the receiver to the frame says 850. Except for the frame and the fore mentioned cap, the zeroes are a little off.

3. Kenyon says that the lower position of the thumb saftey should be polished bright whereas mine is blued.

4. The inside rails, while dirty from time, look bright.

All of the rest of the gun corresponds to everything that Kenyon wrote. The proof marks are all crisp. The extractor has the appropriate 'CARREGADA'. The strawing looks old but excellent. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought that I read on the old forum that the zero in the serial number was added later.
Since I have a three day inspection on this Luger (I'll probably keep it anyway) <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" /> I would like to see some comments on this new addition to my family.
Big Norm

ken d · 09-27-2002, 09:55 PM

BIg Norm: FYI
My M2 has 4 digit n/s serial number.
Small parts have only last 2 digits, TD latch and side plate numbered commercially (on the Bottom)
Polished lower safety position and no markings in safety area.

Ken D

Doubs · 09-27-2002, 10:54 PM

My M-2 is precisely as described by Kenyon. The mag base has been renumbered but otherwise it's a typical Portugese M-2. The serial number is 2088.

Big Norm · 09-28-2002, 01:45 AM

I am getting ready to go to the OGCA show tomorrow and will take it with me to show to some friends there. The safety area had something polished off of the lower area but it has been blued over. There are no other safety marks. I took off the right grip and there appears to be an 'H' with an arrow sticking out of the right side. Probably an inspectors mark. The seller swears that this is original blue. The grips and the metal look perfect. If someone did a restoration, they did a darn good job. The gun is beautiful.
Big Norm

Navy · 09-28-2002, 07:19 AM

Norm,

Do the semichrome test; it will tell you if it is a reblue instantly.

Tom A

Big Norm · 09-28-2002, 10:57 PM

Tom A,
no need to do any tests. I took the gun to the Ohio Gun Collectors Association meeting this weekend and showed it to some friends of mine. They pointed out some details that made it clear that the gun was restored. Once they helped me overcome my emotion of wanting the gun, I saw clearly that there were badly rounded edges and buffing of some rust spots. When I got home I took out a 1906 American Eagle that I have and was able to compare without emotion. Its too bad because, on first look, the gun looked great.

While I was at the OGCA meeting, the seller sent me an email to my home stating that the gun had the zeroes added in Portugal for make it a 5 digit commercial serial number for exporting and then restored (rust spots buffed out) and then rerust blued. Thats a far cry from the 99% original that he emailed me earlier. Thank God that I had the sense to request a three day inspection. Thank God that I had friends who helped me overcome emotion so that I could look at the gun objectively. I just emailed him back that I am returning the gun. I guess that even after twelve plus years of collecting, I am still learning.
Big Norm

Big Norm · 09-28-2002, 11:15 PM

Tom A,
no need to do any tests. I took the gun to the Ohio Gun Collectors Association meeting this weekend and showed it to some friends of mine. They pointed out some details that made it clear that the gun was restored. Once they helped me overcome my emotion of wanting the gun, I saw clearly that there were badly rounded edges and buffing of some rust spots. When I got home I took out a 1906 American Eagle that I have and was able to compare without emotion. Its too bad because, on first look, the gun looked great.

While I was at the OGCA meeting, the seller sent me an email to my home stating that the gun had the zeroes added in Portugal for make it a 5 digit commercial serial number for exporting and then restored (rust spots buffed out) and then rerust blued. Thats a far cry from the 99% original that he emailed me earlier. Thank God that I had the sense to request a three day inspection. Thank God that I had friends who helped me overcome emotion so that I could look at the gun objectively. I just emailed him back that I am returning the gun. I guess that even after twelve plus years of collecting, I am still learning.
Big Norm

Thor · 09-28-2002, 11:30 PM

I think that happens a lot to us. I know I am in trouble when I get the shakes, and realize "I gotta have it!!" A cruel trick is when the dealer takes a half dozen poor examples, then puts a killer Cherry Luger in amoung them at a sweet price!! GOTTAYA!! It happens to me too much....or at least it use to! I am glad you found out the truth about the gun before it was beyound the inspection time.

Doubs · 09-29-2002, 01:59 PM

Big Norm, good for you! The M2 is not a particularly difficult gun to find and with a little patience and searching I'm sure you'll find an honest one that will give you much more pleasure than one that's been poorly restored. I, for one, will keep an eye out for an M2 for you.

Jan C Still · 10-02-2002, 07:22 PM

09-27-2002, 07:22 PM	#1
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	M2 Portuguese I took delivery of my new M2 Portuguses 30 cal today. The gun is absolutely GEORGEOUS. I looked at 'Lugers At Random' to see if it compared to what is written about it. Some different stuff from what I have and what is written. [img]confused.gif[/img] 1. My serial number is 15850 on the frame and on the barrel. But Kenyon says that there should be 1 to 4 numbers. 2. The trigger, barrel lock, and side plate say 85. The rear toggle lip and the little cap that helps the locking bolt hold the receiver to the frame says 850. Except for the frame and the fore mentioned cap, the zeroes are a little off. 3. Kenyon says that the lower position of the thumb saftey should be polished bright whereas mine is blued. 4. The inside rails, while dirty from time, look bright. All of the rest of the gun corresponds to everything that Kenyon wrote. The proof marks are all crisp. The extractor has the appropriate 'CARREGADA'. The strawing looks old but excellent. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought that I read on the old forum that the zero in the serial number was added later. Since I have a three day inspection on this Luger (I'll probably keep it anyway) <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" /> I would like to see some comments on this new addition to my family. Big Norm

09-28-2002, 11:30 PM	#8
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	I think that happens a lot to us. I know I am in trouble when I get the shakes, and realize "I gotta have it!!" A cruel trick is when the dealer takes a half dozen poor examples, then puts a killer Cherry Luger in amoung them at a sweet price!! GOTTAYA!! It happens to me too much....or at least it use to! I am glad you found out the truth about the gun before it was beyound the inspection time. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

09-27-2002, 09:55 PM	#2
ken d Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: louisville ky Posts: 277 Thanks: 31 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	BIg Norm: FYI My M2 has 4 digit n/s serial number. Small parts have only last 2 digits, TD latch and side plate numbered commercially (on the Bottom) Polished lower safety position and no markings in safety area. Ken D

09-27-2002, 10:54 PM	#3
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,697 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,684 Times in 553 Posts	My M-2 is precisely as described by Kenyon. The mag base has been renumbered but otherwise it's a typical Portugese M-2. The serial number is 2088.

09-28-2002, 01:45 AM	#4
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I am getting ready to go to the OGCA show tomorrow and will take it with me to show to some friends there. The safety area had something polished off of the lower area but it has been blued over. There are no other safety marks. I took off the right grip and there appears to be an 'H' with an arrow sticking out of the right side. Probably an inspectors mark. The seller swears that this is original blue. The grips and the metal look perfect. If someone did a restoration, they did a darn good job. The gun is beautiful. Big Norm

09-28-2002, 07:19 AM	#5
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Norm, Do the semichrome test; it will tell you if it is a reblue instantly. Tom A

09-28-2002, 10:57 PM	#6
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Tom A, no need to do any tests. I took the gun to the Ohio Gun Collectors Association meeting this weekend and showed it to some friends of mine. They pointed out some details that made it clear that the gun was restored. Once they helped me overcome my emotion of wanting the gun, I saw clearly that there were badly rounded edges and buffing of some rust spots. When I got home I took out a 1906 American Eagle that I have and was able to compare without emotion. Its too bad because, on first look, the gun looked great. While I was at the OGCA meeting, the seller sent me an email to my home stating that the gun had the zeroes added in Portugal for make it a 5 digit commercial serial number for exporting and then restored (rust spots buffed out) and then rerust blued. Thats a far cry from the 99% original that he emailed me earlier. Thank God that I had the sense to request a three day inspection. Thank God that I had friends who helped me overcome emotion so that I could look at the gun objectively. I just emailed him back that I am returning the gun. I guess that even after twelve plus years of collecting, I am still learning. Big Norm

09-28-2002, 11:15 PM	#7
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Tom A, no need to do any tests. I took the gun to the Ohio Gun Collectors Association meeting this weekend and showed it to some friends of mine. They pointed out some details that made it clear that the gun was restored. Once they helped me overcome my emotion of wanting the gun, I saw clearly that there were badly rounded edges and buffing of some rust spots. When I got home I took out a 1906 American Eagle that I have and was able to compare without emotion. Its too bad because, on first look, the gun looked great. While I was at the OGCA meeting, the seller sent me an email to my home stating that the gun had the zeroes added in Portugal for make it a 5 digit commercial serial number for exporting and then restored (rust spots buffed out) and then rerust blued. Thats a far cry from the 99% original that he emailed me earlier. Thank God that I had the sense to request a three day inspection. Thank God that I had friends who helped me overcome emotion so that I could look at the gun objectively. I just emailed him back that I am returning the gun. I guess that even after twelve plus years of collecting, I am still learning. Big Norm

09-29-2002, 01:59 PM	#9
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,697 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,684 Times in 553 Posts	Big Norm, good for you! The M2 is not a particularly difficult gun to find and with a little patience and searching I'm sure you'll find an honest one that will give you much more pleasure than one that's been poorly restored. I, for one, will keep an eye out for an M2 for you.

10-02-2002, 07:22 PM	#10
Jan C Still User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Box 240188, Douglas, Alaska, 99824 Posts: 463 Thanks: 0 Thanked 52 Times in 32 Posts