Messages

256

Model HSC Pistol / Mauser HSc V3

« on: July 30, 2014, 11:55:11 PM »

This pistol recently surfaced from the estate of a former Mauser employee.

The basis appears to be an Interarms contract .32 ACP pistol that had the serial number removed and replaced with number V3, a serial number used by the R&D Department of Mauser (V for 'Versuch / Versuchsabteilung'). The barrel is a 9mmK / .380ACP version and the springs also are a bit stronger than usual. The hammer protrudes slightly further, so in order to remove the slide, the hammer must be pulled back slightly.

The slide and barrel have no proof markings, also no FBM markings. The frame is only FBM-marked and has no commercial proof (which one would expect in Germany, as it is legally required there).

The pistol itself is an early 1st variation, with the leaf spring disconnector, production somewhere in 1968 - 69.
Plastic grips are the early 'Mauser' type, not the AE Interams contract version.

I suspect that this pistol was somehow used as a 9mmK / .380ACP testbed, created by modifying a .32 version that was taken directly from regular production.

257

Site Technical Help or Site Feedback / Re: System Outage 7/25 - 7/28

« on: July 28, 2014, 11:48:32 AM »

Everything is back to normal, over here.

258

Model HSC Pistol / Re: Lanyard Question

« on: June 17, 2014, 06:23:28 PM »

Yes, I have a French one with a triangular lanyard ring on the side.
Or are you talking about the actual lanyard itself?

These were often improvised items, like bread bag carriers or pieces of cord. When I was in the army, we had to make part of our equipment ourselves, using general military green semi-elastic cord. it was used to create lanyards for pistols, service knives, clothing, etc...

259

Mauser Revolvers / Re: Mauser Model L22. Single Shot...

« on: June 10, 2014, 01:10:04 PM »

Some additional research suggests that these single shot pistols were made for the French market between 1985 and 1990, in a time where single shot .22 pistols were allowed to be kept without license. After a change in French gun laws these anomalies had outlived there usefullness and disappeared from the market again.
The marking 'Made in West Germany' also backs this up, with 'West Germany' coming to an end in 1991 after the unification of East and West Germany.

260

Mauser Revolvers / Re: Mauser Model L22. Single Shot...

« on: April 19, 2014, 11:31:40 AM »

And a huge ejector, working like one would expect on a normal revolver, but slightly oversized in this case.

261

Mauser Revolvers / Re: Mauser Model L22. Single Shot...

« on: April 19, 2014, 11:27:14 AM »

Only one real chamber, pressed into the drum. The other 'chambers' are fake and have been drilled partially from the front, nothing is visible at the rear.

262

Mauser Revolvers / Re: Mauser Model L22. Single Shot...

« on: April 19, 2014, 11:18:13 AM »

Some more shots:

263

Mauser Revolvers / Mauser Model L22. Single Shot...

« on: April 19, 2014, 11:17:40 AM »

One of the most remarkable 'revolvers' that appeared under the Mauser brand name in the 1990s was this contraption.

Labeled the 'Mauser Mod. L22' it was chambered for one (!) .22lr round, making it a single shot pistol, but with the appearance of a revolver. This was most likely made by Umarex, under license from Mauser and most probably for a market where single shot .22lr pistols were easily obtainable by the general public.

The Frame and trommel are made of castings, the barrel and chamber are steel and pressed into the frame and trommel. Fit and finish of the entire product is along the lines of the Umarex / Mauser blank firing revolvers.

The gap between the chamber and the barrel of the specimen shown is so large that I haven't had the need to test fire it yet

Parts and packaging of these L22's surfaced in France, so I expect that French legislation once provided room for this weird, wackey 'revolver'.

This particular example has been proofed in Germany, at the Cologne (Köln) proof house in 1993. 

264

M2 Modern Pistol / Re: Just when you think they ran out of Mauser pistols...

« on: April 10, 2014, 02:11:32 PM »

I think there is also a ''variation 4", the 'Friends of the NRA' version ;')

Since these pistols are relatively new to collectors, I doubt that there is any certainty on pricing.
The Italian contract is rare because the limited number made and shipped to Italy, I would expect.
Not enough serial # data available to determine how many of each variation were made, the numbers suggest that not much more than about 6000 pistols were produced. I tried contacting Sig-Sauer in Eckenförde, but no information there...

Somehow it is interesting that we can find out less about pistols that are 10 years old than on pistols that are 100 years old

265

M2 Modern Pistol / Re: Just when you think they ran out of Mauser pistols...

« on: April 09, 2014, 03:19:34 PM »

I haven't come across a .40 version yet, currently I own 3 variations of the .45 ACP version:

Early version (printed logos)
Late version (etched logos)
Italian Export version (with Italian catagory number on slide).

I have fairly small hands, but have no difficulty getting a good grip.

266

C96 / C12 Broomhandle / Re: .22 Caliber conversion kit for 9mm Mauser Military Pistol

« on: April 05, 2014, 02:49:03 PM »

Very nice. These were made by Lothar Walther, still a renowned barrel maker, in the 1970s. Just about any pistol type was supported, I have them for the P08 and the Mauser HSc / 1914/34. Barrels were made in several calibres, including 4mm M20, .22 short and .22lr.

They are well made and a nice addition to the guns.

267

M2 Modern Pistol / Re: Just when you think they ran out of Mauser pistols...

« on: March 31, 2014, 02:47:25 PM »

Yes, they are double action only. Striker fired with a rotating barrel. They look bulky, but are comfortable to handle, even for guys like me with relatively small hands

268

Model HSC Pistol / Re: HSc mag with extension?

« on: March 07, 2014, 03:26:11 PM »

Here is one with the metal finger extension.

269

C96 / C12 Broomhandle / Re: Wartime comercial with wooden stock - year of production?

« on: February 17, 2014, 07:13:41 PM »

It is a wartime pistol (World War 1) with a Prussian military acceptance marking. So it has had an interesting life, having served in two wars and probably inbetween as well.

270

Model HSC Pistol / Re: Can someone tell me the lack of factory codes on HSc"s

« on: February 11, 2014, 02:56:33 PM »

Ordnance codes were only used on guns that were officially accepted by the military and as such they were subject to the regulations that were stated in the acceptance agreement.
Since there was no acceptance agreement for the HSc, there was no need to hide anything. Also note that wartime C96 pistols, M1934 pistols and even M1914 pistols during WW1 all retained their normal commercial markings. Again because there was no official army acceptance agreement for them.