Mauser pistol, possibly WW1?
My father-in-law recently died and I have been given the task of determining the value of a hand gun he had, that his father gave him, who served in WW1. The story in the family is that it was a German solider's gun, but I'd like to confirm that and more importantly, determine the value of the gun.
Also I'm curious if I should be seeking out some sort of registration or license for this gun? My father-in-law never had one and he had the gun for god knows how long, but I don't want to get in trouble. Anyway, here are the pictures.. let me know what you think and thanks!
Also I'm curious if I should be seeking out some sort of registration or license for this gun? My father-in-law never had one and he had the gun for god knows how long, but I don't want to get in trouble. Anyway, here are the pictures.. let me know what you think and thanks!
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It is a Mauser Model 1910, a later variant without the piviting take down latch above the trigger gaurd, usually refered to as the side latch model (serial number 60,000 and below). It appears to be a nice clean pistol which looks to have been very well maintained for many years. Mauser made tens of thousands of these pistol up until 1934 so they are not all that rare and most move in the $300 to $400 range.
"Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
Mark T. Christian0 -
Your pictures are excellent. If others who posted their questions here were able to to take and post pictures of such quality, it would make things a lot easier.
My reference notes that your pistol is of pre W W I production, per serial number range. Considering it's age, ( 93 years at least ), condition and provanance, it would be a highlight in any collection of W W I era firearms.0 -
I was informed off the board by member rufe-snow that the pistol is actually a Model 1914 and not a Model 1910. This would have the effect of lowering my estimated values by around 10%. My appologies and thanks snowman.
"Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
Mark T. Christian0 -
So you're all in agreement then that it's worth around $300.00 or so?
Also, do I need to get it registered and all that other stuff?
And I assume I should not cock or shoot it?0 -
Hello it all depends on where you live Each state and sometimes city have different laws .In Va. we don't need to do any thing but in NEW YORK city you need a lic. to own a pistol. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by DigiSage
So you're all in agreement then that it's worth around $300.00 or so?
Also, do I need to get it registered and all that other stuff?
And I assume I should not cock or shoot it?
Shame to sell it, with it being in the family for three generations. I have been involved with this sort of thing a number of times in the past. One relative sells a piece of family history, years latter others make a futile attempt to reacquire it as a family heirloom.
I don't know the physical location of the pistol,i.e. State/City. That would determine the need for licensing/registration. Go to www.packing.org and reasearch it.
These older Mauser Pocket Pistols were built like the proverbial brick lavatory, don't dry fire it, but your not going to hurt it or yourself by shooting it.0 -
I live in San Diego, California. Not sure if I need a permit or not after reading that site.
But you think it'd be okay to use it at a shooting range or something like that? If it's worth only $300, I don't want to sell it, but it would be nice to use it. It wouldn't blow apart in my hands?
Should I get it serviced or maintained somewhere?
Or should I just leave it in a drawer for another 50 years and hope it gains value?0 -
quote:Originally posted by DigiSage
I live in San Diego, California. Not sure if I need a permit or not after reading that site.
But you think it'd be okay to use it at a shooting range or something like that? If it's worth only $300, I don't want to sell it, but it would be nice to use it. It wouldn't blow apart in my hands?
Should I get it serviced or maintained somewhere?
Or should I just leave it in a drawer for another 50 years and hope it gains value?
Years back I lived in El Cahon, you don't need to register it or any sort of a permit.
The Mausers of that era were way over engineered, it's not going to "blow apart in your hands".
Take it to a QUALIFIED Gunsmith for inspection and test firing, If you have any misgivings, hate to see you stress out over something like this. Have him show you the various features on the pistol, such as the safety catch. Also how to load the magazine, operate the slide etc.etc.0 -
The info you've received so far is correct.
Many of these little Mausers were issued and some were private purchase. If it was government issue, look just in front or rear of the rear sight. If you see a very small Fraktur (Gothic) letter, it was issued and that adds about 50% of the value.
Some Naval mausers were marked on the front gripstrap, but I assume there are none there since you didn't mention any.
You particular pistol (just by looking at the photos) is not one I would be afraid to shoot. It's in pristine condition and they are rugged weapons.
Stolen from, and with thanks, to Kiwibird0 -
Good afternoon D.
I read your post this morning, was tied up for a bit, and would like to offer an opinion on what your Mauser pistol may be. I used a book by Roy Pender, 'Mauser Pocket Pistols' to look your photos over. It appears to me to be a Model 1914 7.65 mm. rather than a 1910 6.25 mm. The striations on the side of the slide at the rear were different on the 2 models. This one looks like a 1914. If it's a 1910, it should measure 5.4 inches long and 4 inches high. If it is a 1914, it will be 6.1 inches long and 4.5 inches high. The following are base on assumption of it being a Model 1914.
Mauser pistols have a number of factors which determine when they may have been made and whether there was military usage or not. Based on the serial number 79007, this fits in the early serial number range of the Imperial German Army Issue 1914. It may or may not be military issued. Read on......and form your own opinion.
The key to determining whether or not it was contracted for by the military would be a military proof (acceptance) mark. On top of the slide just behind the rear sight there should be a tiny 'crown over U' mark. This was the official government proof mark up until April 1, 1940 when the Nazi regime in power changed it to an 'eagle over N'. If it was 'military proofed' there should be another tiny mark just ahead of the rear sight as indicated by p3skyking. Pender shows serial numbers 73613 and 79779 as having this proof mark as some that he could document. He lists serial 177059 as another he examined in this group, so it covers a wide range. Some, but very few, in the higher serial number range may also display a Prussian eagle on the bottom of the trigger guard. I don't think yours has this trait. He also says, "It is possible that the earlier range of these pistols was taken from commercial stores and issued as the war (WW1 as Archie B. would say) got worse but the large majority were contracted for by the Prussian War Office, and most likely, had military proofs in the higher range of serial numbers. Here is where definitive proof may fail if there is nothing ahead of the rear sight.
The pistol has the correct front sight, a ramp up from the rear curving on the front. It has the heavy one line address on the left side of the slide....there were 4 address types used in the 1914 series. The extractor, visible on the right open portion of the slide is probably long (maybe 1+ inch) as opposed to +-1/2 inch. The 'heavy' one line address on the left side of the slide fits this group. So does the 'large' banner with the Mauser logo on the sideplate on the left side of the frame. Can I assume that the magazine is smooth on the bottom and has a square front??
One last question: Can you find the word 'GERMANY' in small caps anywhere on the frame? If so, it may have started out in military or civilian use, but ended up for export to the U.S. after the war. This is common. If it was not an 'export' that adds value.
Your comments seem to indicate that you are not a 'gun person'. That's OK, none of us were in the beginning. However, you have a very nice souvenir of a time long gone and it has family connections, call it an heirloom if you will. I would take it to a competent gunsmith and have it cleaned and checked out. They are solidly built and fun to shoot. Owners manuals are available either on one of the auctions or from book sellers on the internet. I was introduced to the Mauser family from an elder friend who inherited one from his Dad.....and it may not have seen daylight for 70 years. Took over a week to get the slide to open. Today, it is in shooting condition.
It is probably worth in the 350-400 dollar range, again depending on condition and who might want it more than anything else at the moment. You can check current values on GunBroker by doing a search on 'Mauser pistol', those sold in the last 90 days as well as those currently for sale. Condition is everything in this world.
I hope to have answered some of your questions. If you have more, please ask. If anyone else wants to throw spears, your privilege. This is what I saw.
Regards, Bob0
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