New (to me) Brazilian Contract Luger

HerrKaiser · 02-01-2020, 12:05 AM

Hello all,

Just got my new-to-me Brazilian contract Luger serial 2355.

It is almost all matching, everything except for the Locking Bolt which appears to be stamped 22 over a 54(?). The bolt matches the condition of the rest of the pistol, so I am not sure what happened there. The barrel s/n matches the frame. The rest of the pistol's small parts are numbered 55 or in the case of the hold open and firing pin, are un-numbered. Extractor is properly marked "Carregada" and the left side of the receiver has the appropriate circle B proof mark. I am satisfied with it, hope you all enjoy the pictures!

HerrKaiser · 02-01-2020, 12:19 AM

More pictures

DonVoigt · 02-01-2020, 10:40 AM

Nice catch.

HerrKaiser · 02-01-2020, 10:59 AM

Thanks Don! Is there any reason to be concerned with the mismatched bolt, or does that just sort of come with the territory on these? I got a good deal on it via trade even if it was just a plain Jane 1906 shooter, so I am not concerned about losing money on it or anything, just curious.

Doubs · 02-01-2020, 04:48 PM

Brazilian Lugers have served a long and often hard life. They aren't that common and I wouldn't worry about the locking bolt.

Considering the tropical climate of Brazil and the years of use the Luger has seen, I think yours is above average in condition.

The 1906 model Lugers are very pleasing to the eye.

HerrKaiser · 02-01-2020, 05:21 PM

Thanks Doubs, I just cant stop looking at that slick barrel profile. Not to mention the excellent balance this barrel length gives.

That said, I can see why the Germans opted out of the grip safeties on the P.08. I have fairly large hands, and the webbing keeps getting pinched when I go for a proper grip on it.

HerrKaiser · 02-03-2020, 12:30 AM

Weather finally cleared up and I took some pictures in better lighting. There is a light coat of oil on the gun, probably why it shines so much.

Doubs · 02-03-2020, 02:44 AM

After cleaning, it looks better than I originally thought. Very nice. Pure elegance.

DWM supplied 5,000 Lugers to Brazil between 1907 and 1911. They had their own serial number range of 1 ~ 5,000.

I have it's twin... a Portuguese Luger. Although a model 1906, they designated it the model 909 as it was contracted in 1909 with delivery in 1910. It has the intertwined "M2" over the chamber for King Manuel the Second. The order was for 5,000 pistols and they have their own serial number range of 1 ~ 5,000. I had another but gave it to my son.

HerrKaiser · 02-03-2020, 11:12 AM

Absolutely gorgeous, you can tell that yours didn't have as much time spent in a tropical environment. There is still strawing visible.

Unfortunately for King Manuel, those beautiful Lugers he received in 1910 were shortly turned against him by the Portuguese people as they overthrew the monarchy and established the ill-fated Portuguese First Republic.

Ron Wood · 02-03-2020, 04:01 PM

Quintin,
You have done very well, one of the nicer ones I have seen. The Brazilian contract Luger is, in my opinion, one of the rare gems that is grossly underappreciated. Surviving examples are usually in rough condition or have been refinished. My collecting interests are mostly in Imperial era contract Lugers. Consequently, the Brazilian was one of my goals early on. My first one was attractive but a bit over buffed so not really well refinished. However, my second one is one of the prime pieces in my collection. In the two gun photo you can clearly pick out which one was my first one! I no longer have the first one, and I have added a glamour shot of my second, and current, example...it has not been refinished.

HerrKaiser · 02-03-2020, 04:55 PM

Ron,

Thank you for the kind words and sharing those pictures. It seemed almost too good to be true when I first got the opportunity, I am glad I pulled the trigger on buying it. It almost looks like your second pistol was shipped to Brazil and only taken out of the box for some routine inspections/cleaning. It is gorgeous!

My collecting interests are also focused on Imperial Lugers in general, particularly the commercial and foreign contract realms, much like you. If my schedule shakes out favorably over the next few weeks with thesis editing/coursework/grading and I can make it, I will bring it down to SOS for some in-person viewing.

Doubs · 02-03-2020, 05:44 PM

Ron, that is a beauty; the nicest Brazilian I've ever seen.

Just my opinion but I think that the 1906 Lugers are the pinup beauties of the entire family of Lugers.

Ron Wood · 02-03-2020, 05:58 PM

Quintin,
Looking forward to seeing you at the SOS. Good luck on your schedule...I really hope it works out.

Walker,
Can't dispute your opinion, the 1906 is indeed beautiful. I am a little partial to the 1900 but the 1906 comes in at a close second, followed by the 1908 slick back. Once they tacked on the stock lug, the Luger was still a work of art but lacked a little bit of the elegance of the early guns.
Ron

HerrKaiser · 02-03-2020, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

the 1906 is indeed beautiful. I am a little partial to the 1900 but the 1906 comes in at a close second, followed by the 1908 slick back. Once they tacked on the stock lug, the Luger was still a work of art but lacked a little bit of the elegance of the early guns.
Ron

Ditto, I love the look of those scalloped toggles. My ultimate "Holy Grail" Lugers are: a 1902 model Carbine, and/or a model 1900 Swiss contract.

02-01-2020, 10:40 AM	#3
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,356 Times in 2,041 Posts	Nice catch. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

02-01-2020, 10:59 AM	#4
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 887 Thanks: 835 Thanked 897 Times in 434 Posts	Thanks Don! Is there any reason to be concerned with the mismatched bolt, or does that just sort of come with the territory on these? I got a good deal on it via trade even if it was just a plain Jane 1906 shooter, so I am not concerned about losing money on it or anything, just curious. __________________ -QM

02-01-2020, 05:21 PM	#6
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 887 Thanks: 835 Thanked 897 Times in 434 Posts	Thanks Doubs, I just cant stop looking at that slick barrel profile. Not to mention the excellent balance this barrel length gives. That said, I can see why the Germans opted out of the grip safeties on the P.08. I have fairly large hands, and the webbing keeps getting pinched when I go for a proper grip on it. __________________ -QM

02-03-2020, 11:12 AM	#9
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 887 Thanks: 835 Thanked 897 Times in 434 Posts	Absolutely gorgeous, you can tell that yours didn't have as much time spent in a tropical environment. There is still strawing visible. Unfortunately for King Manuel, those beautiful Lugers he received in 1910 were shortly turned against him by the Portuguese people as they overthrew the monarchy and established the ill-fated Portuguese First Republic. __________________ -QM

02-03-2020, 04:55 PM	#11
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 887 Thanks: 835 Thanked 897 Times in 434 Posts	Ron, Thank you for the kind words and sharing those pictures. It seemed almost too good to be true when I first got the opportunity, I am glad I pulled the trigger on buying it. It almost looks like your second pistol was shipped to Brazil and only taken out of the box for some routine inspections/cleaning. It is gorgeous! My collecting interests are also focused on Imperial Lugers in general, particularly the commercial and foreign contract realms, much like you. If my schedule shakes out favorably over the next few weeks with thesis editing/coursework/grading and I can make it, I will bring it down to SOS for some in-person viewing. __________________ -QM

02-01-2020, 04:48 PM	#5
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,742 Thanks: 826 Thanked 1,786 Times in 590 Posts	Brazilian Lugers have served a long and often hard life. They aren't that common and I wouldn't worry about the locking bolt. Considering the tropical climate of Brazil and the years of use the Luger has seen, I think yours is above average in condition. The 1906 model Lugers are very pleasing to the eye.

02-03-2020, 02:44 AM	#8
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,742 Thanks: 826 Thanked 1,786 Times in 590 Posts	After cleaning, it looks better than I originally thought. Very nice. Pure elegance. DWM supplied 5,000 Lugers to Brazil between 1907 and 1911. They had their own serial number range of 1 ~ 5,000. I have it's twin... a Portuguese Luger. Although a model 1906, they designated it the model 909 as it was contracted in 1909 with delivery in 1910. It has the intertwined "M2" over the chamber for King Manuel the Second. The order was for 5,000 pistols and they have their own serial number range of 1 ~ 5,000. I had another but gave it to my son.

02-03-2020, 05:44 PM	#12
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,742 Thanks: 826 Thanked 1,786 Times in 590 Posts	Ron, that is a beauty; the nicest Brazilian I've ever seen. Just my opinion but I think that the 1906 Lugers are the pinup beauties of the entire family of Lugers.

02-03-2020, 05:58 PM	#13
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,051 Thanks: 1,119 Thanked 5,286 Times in 1,728 Posts	Quintin, Looking forward to seeing you at the SOS. Good luck on your schedule...I really hope it works out. Walker, Can't dispute your opinion, the 1906 is indeed beautiful. I am a little partial to the 1900 but the 1906 comes in at a close second, followed by the 1908 slick back. Once they tacked on the stock lug, the Luger was still a work of art but lacked a little bit of the elegance of the early guns. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction