Mauser Pocket Pistol Serial Numbers By bleninesun1978 Follow Some time around serial number 162,500 the right side of the slide is stamped 'Mauser 7.65'. Graeme Caselton (gcaselton@easynet.co.uk) kindly supplied the following rough breakdown of model variations, dates and serial numbers pertaining to the C96 Mauser. I deeply regret to report that he did so at the time he was about to hand in his 1915 Std. Wartime Commercial for destruction under Britain's new and reprehensible ban on the private.
Mauser's HScSerial numbers ranged from 1 to 10,000. Mauser started over at serial number 1 each time the number 10,000 was reached. After the first 10,000 pistols were completed, the firm added a suffix letter to ensure that each pistol had a unique serial number. The suffix letter increased each time the plant started at serial number 1 again. The Mauser Model 1910 in 6.35 mm Browning was by any measure a remarkably successful pistol, but the 6.35 mm Browning cartridge was originally designed for the smallest of personal protection pistols (known as vest pocket pistols) and, as the end of World War I drew near, the Mauser company decided it was time they manufactured one.
By R.K. CampbellAmong the most attractive, distinctive and interesting handguns of World War Two is the Mauser HSc. This pistol has a distinct Art Deco look that is reminiscent of the 1930s; however, the pistol was not produced until 1940. Just the same, the Mauser is every inch a product of the era. Development of the HSc began in 1934 at Mauser Werke Obendorf at Neckar, Germany. At the time, only the Mauser 1914, slightly improved as the 1934, was offered in the pocket pistol line. This handgun was not competitive against the Walther PP and PPK pistols. There was also the prospect of a military contract as small 7.65mm pistols were popular with the German Army.
While civilian personal defense and police needs might be solved by a light pistol - according to the Europeans - the .32 ACP/7.65mm pistol was mainly a badge of office, used to direct troops. The HSc would prove as well suited as any other to this need. While this is primarily speculation on the author's part, I believe that the Mauser was designed to undercut the Walther in price and to be made more cheaply. The HSc's price point was less than the Walther and remained so during its service life and during its time in commercial sales. The HSc was designed in a socialist world to take less man hours, making the price less in the socialist guild system.
Our research indicates that no less than twenty-two prototypes were fashioned prior to the adoption of the final design and series production. The Hahn Selbstspanner Pistole (self cocking hammer or double action pistol, c denoting variation) was introduced in 1940. The 'c' designation meant third and final design, regardless of the actual number of prototypes and early variations. The first pistols were accepted by the Kreigsmarine and next the Army. Waffen SS and Lufwaffe pistols were delivered from Army stocks. Wartime pistols were produced in 7.65mm (.32 Automatic Colt Pistol) caliber. All wartime pistols had the serial number stamped on the front strap. The last three digits of the serial number were stamped on the bottom of the breech and further etched by hand with an electric pencil under the muzzle. Serial numbers began at 700001 and ran to almost 952000. Best guesses are that a quarter of a million pistols were produced, with the figure 252,000 often quoted. The serial number range began where the Mauser 1914/1934 pistol left off. The original Mauser HSc featured a nice blue finish and nicely turned out walnut grips. A noticeable detail change in the pistol occurred at approximately pistol 701345 when the grip screw position was changed. The first pistols featured grip screws placed proportionately lower on the frame. The newer position is regarded as a better design in order to fully support the grip panels. Interestingly, despite the wartime economy, a number of pistols were released to the civilian market though many of these pistols were actually purchased for private use by military personnel. (For clarification the early grip screw position is approximately 3/4 inch lower than the standard grip screw position.)
Wartime pistols are most often marked with an Eagle/655 inspection stamp on the left rear of the trigger guard extension. The factory acceptance proof is the Eagle over N on the right rear trigger guard. A small Army proof mark is found on the left rear grip tang. Civilian pistols have the factory proof but not the military acceptance proof mark.
Mauser Pistol Serial Number Lookup
During the war there were several cuts in time spent on production of material and the HSc is no exception. The finish suffered and at one time, the finish was a dull, almost green finish. This is a phosphate finish similar to Parkerizing or bunkerizing. Color schemes ranged from gray to nearly green. The collector will sometimes encounter a pistol with a mix of phosphate and blued parts. Despite the first impression that these handguns were mismatched they were delivered in this fashion. After the war, the French occupied the Mauser factory and continued production in the same serial number range. Many of these pistols were sent to French Indochina. This production run was brief.Reintroduction
The Mauser HSc was reintroduced in 1967 and imported by Interarms. A total production run of 63,118 pistols were produced. The pistols were reengineered to accept the .380 ACP cartridge to make it more popular in America, although many were also sold in the original .32 ACP chambering. The production figures follow;
18,868: .32 ACP
39,250: .380 ACP
Handling the Mauser HSc
The HSc pistol handles much the same as the J P Sauer or Walther double action pistols. The double action pistols in competition with the Mauser featured a hammer dropping safety, which the Mauser does not. The hammer must be manually lowered. The double action trigger is more abrupt than the Walther and is heavy in comparison. The estimated trigger pull weight in double action is sixteen pounds. The single action trigger is smooth at about six pounds. When you rack the slide to the rear on an empty magazine, the slide locks. However, even when you remove the magazine you cannot lower the slide. Reinserting the magazine, either an empty or a loaded magazine, lowers the slide. When a loaded magazine is inserted the chamber is loaded and the slide runs forward. The hammer must be manually lowered by capturing the hammer with the thumb and pressing the trigger, lowering the hammer in this manner. The safety may be placed on at this time.
To fire the pistol, place the safety in the off position. The HSc is fired by pressing the trigger. The long double action trigger press works against an internal drawbar that draws the hammer to the rear. When the hammer breaks the sear and falls, the pistol fires. The slide then recoils and cocks the hammer. All subsequent shots after the first are fired single action.
The author's personal example was test fired with Winchester USA ball ammunition. The pistol loaded smoothly. The HSc is a comfortable pistol to fire. The small sights are snag free but make accuracy problematical. At ten yards, several five shot three-inch groups were printed, which is adequate for the task we must presume. A single five shot group from a careful bench rest at 15 yards was fired with the aid of Hansen Eagle Eyes shooting glasses. The Winchester 95 grain FMJ bullets went into a cluster of four and one half inches. There were several stoppages during the firing test – at least one per magazine. The age of the pistol and the magazine spring seem to be the fault.
The HSc is an interesting pistol with a distinctive silhouette. Quality examples are available at affordable prices and the pistol has a certain pride of ownership that cannot be faulted. The Mauser HSc pistol is well worth your attention.
Mauser HSc
Action: Blowback
Caliber: 7.65mm and .380 ACP
Magazine capacity 7.65mm: 8
Magazine capacity .380 ACP: 7
Action: Blowback
Caliber: 7.65mm and .380 ACP
Magazine capacity 7.65mm: 8
Magazine capacity .380 ACP: 7
Weight: 24.7 ounces
Barrel: 3.4 inches
Overall length: 6 inches
Total production, commercial and wartime: 334,000
Total wartime production: 252,000
Wartime production:
- 23% Commercial
- 54% Army
- 11% Navy
- 12% Police
This article first appeared in Small Arms Review SAW (March 2013) |
| SUBSCRIBER COMMENT AREA |
Comments have not been generated for this article.
MAUSER MANUFACTURED LUGERS 1930-1942 DWM
Mauser Oberndorf
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Has a stock lug, blank chamber area and marked extractor and safety. Early example of Mauser Luger. Front toggle link is still marked DWM. Leftover parts were intermixed with new Mauser parts in production of this pistol. One of the first Lugers to be finished with 'Salt' blue process. Approximately 500 manufactured with one- to four-digit serial numbers, with letter 'v' suffix. A rare variation.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934/06 Swiss Commercial Mauser
4.75' barrel, 7.65mm caliber. No stock lug, but has a grip safety. Swiss Cross in Sunburst stamped above chamber. Extractor and safety marked in German. Front toggle link marked with Mauser banner. Approximately 200 manufactured for commercial sale in Switzerland. Variation is very well finished. Serial numbers are all four-digits with a 'v' suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1935/06 Portuguese 'GNR'
4.75 barrel, 7.65mm caliber. No stock lug, but has a grip safety. Chamber marked 'GNR', representing Republic National Guard. Extractor marked 'Carregada'; safety 'Seguranca'. Mauser banner stamped on front toggle link. Exactly 564 manufactured according to original contract records that Portuguese government made public. All have four-digit serial numbers with a 'v' suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934 Mauser Commercial
4' barrel, 7.65mm or 9mm caliber. Has a stock lug and chamber area is blank. Extractor and safety are marked. Mauser banner stamped on front toggle link. Finish on this pistol was very good. Grips are checkered walnut or black plastic on later models. Few thousand manufactured for commercial sales in and outside of Germany.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
S/42 K Date
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Has a stock lug. Extractor and safety are marked. First Luger that utilized codes to represent maker and date of manufacture. Front toggle link marked S/42 in Gothic or script; this was code for Mauser. Chamber area stamped with letter 'K' code for 1934 year of manufacture. Approximately 10,500 manufactured, with one- to five-digit serial numbers—some with letter suffixes.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
S/42 G Date
Courtesy Orvel Reichert
As above, with chamber stamped 'G' code for year 1935. Gothic lettering was eliminated. Many thousands of this model produced.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
Dated Chamber S/42
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Chamber area dated 1936-1940. There is a stock lug. Extractor and safety marked. In 1937, rust blue process was eliminated entirely and all subsequent pistols were salt blued. Many thousands manufactured with one- to five-digit serial numbers—some with letter suffix. NOTE: Rarest variation is early 1937, with rust blued and strawed parts, add 20 percent.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
S/42 Commercial Contract
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Has a stock lug, chamber area is dated and marked extractor and safety. Unusual feature, although this was a commercial pistol, front toggle link is stamped S/42, which was military code for Mauser. Only a few hundred manufactured, so perhaps toggles were left over from previous military production runs. Serial number range is four-digits, with letter 'v'.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1914 Mauser Pistol Serial Numbers
Code 42 Dated Chamber
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. New German code for Mauser, number 42, stamped on front toggle link. There is a stock lug. Chamber area dated 1939 or 1940. At least 50,000 manufactured, with one- to five-digit serial numbers; some have letter suffixes.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
41/42 Code
As above, except date of manufacture is represented by final two digits (e.g. 41 for 1941). Approximately 20,000 manufactured, with one- to five-digit serial number range.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
byf Code
As above, with 'byf' code stamped on toggle link. Year of manufacture, either 41 or 42, stamped on chamber. Model also made with black plastic and walnut grips. Many thousands produced, with one- to five-digit serial numbers—some with a letter suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
Persian Contract 4
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Has a stock lug and Persian crest stamped over chamber. All identifying markings on this variation—including extractor, safety and toggle—are marked in Farsi, Persian alphabet. There were 1,000 manufactured. Serial numbers are also in Farsi.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
Persian Contract Artillery
As above, with 8' barrel and nine-position adjustable sight on barrel. Model supplied with flat board stock. There were 1,000 manufactured and sold to Persia.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934/06 Dated Commercial
4.75' barrel, 7.65mm caliber. Has a grip safety, but no stock lug. Year of manufacture, from 1937-1942, stamped above chamber. Mauser banner stamped on front link. Extractor marked, but safety is not. Approximately 1,000 manufactured, with one- to three-digit serial numbers—some with letter suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934 Mauser Dutch Contract
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Year of manufacture, 1936-1940, stamped above chamber. Extractor marked 'Geladen' and safety is marked 'RUST', with a downward pointing arrow. Mauser banner stamped on front toggle link. This was a military contract sale. Approximately 1,000 were manufactured, with four-digit serial numbers and letter 'v' suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934 Mauser Swedish Contract
4.75' barrel, 9mm or 7.65mm caliber. Chamber dated 1938 or 1939. Extractor and safety are both marked in German. There is a stock lug. Front toggle link stamped with Mauser banner. Only 275 dated 1938; 25 dated 1939 in 9mm; 30 dated 1939 in 7.65mm. Serial number range is four-digits with letter 'v' suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934 Mauser Swedish Commercial
4' barrel, 7.65mm caliber. 1940 stamped over chamber; 'Kal. 7.65' stamped on left side of barrel. Extractor and safety are both marked and Mauser banner stamped on front toggle link. There is a stock lug. Model is rare. Only a few hundred manufactured, with four-digit serial numbers with letter 'w' suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934 Mauser German Contract
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Chamber dated 1939-1942. Front toggle link stamped with Mauser banner. There is a stock lug. Extractor and safety are both marked. Grips are walnut or black plastic. Several thousand manufactured, with one- to five-digit serial numbers—some with letter suffixes. Purchased for issue to police or paramilitary units.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1910 Mauser Pistol Serial Numbers
Austrian Bundes Heer (Federal Army)
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Chamber is blank and there is a stock lug. Extractor and safety marked in German. Austrian Federal Army Proof stamped on left side of frame above trigger guard. Approximately 200 manufactured, with four-digit serial numbers and no letter suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
Mauser 2 Digit Date
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Last two digits of year of manufacture—41 or 42—stamped over chamber. There is a stock lug and Mauser banner on front toggle link. Extractor and safety both marked. Proofmarks were commercial. Grips are walnut or black plastic. Approximately 2,000 manufactured for sale to Nazi political groups. They have one- to five-digit serial numbers; some have letter suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
Ku Luger (Prefix or suffix)
Our research indicates that no less than twenty-two prototypes were fashioned prior to the adoption of the final design and series production. The Hahn Selbstspanner Pistole (self cocking hammer or double action pistol, c denoting variation) was introduced in 1940. The 'c' designation meant third and final design, regardless of the actual number of prototypes and early variations. The first pistols were accepted by the Kreigsmarine and next the Army. Waffen SS and Lufwaffe pistols were delivered from Army stocks. Wartime pistols were produced in 7.65mm (.32 Automatic Colt Pistol) caliber. All wartime pistols had the serial number stamped on the front strap. The last three digits of the serial number were stamped on the bottom of the breech and further etched by hand with an electric pencil under the muzzle. Serial numbers began at 700001 and ran to almost 952000. Best guesses are that a quarter of a million pistols were produced, with the figure 252,000 often quoted. The serial number range began where the Mauser 1914/1934 pistol left off. The original Mauser HSc featured a nice blue finish and nicely turned out walnut grips. A noticeable detail change in the pistol occurred at approximately pistol 701345 when the grip screw position was changed. The first pistols featured grip screws placed proportionately lower on the frame. The newer position is regarded as a better design in order to fully support the grip panels. Interestingly, despite the wartime economy, a number of pistols were released to the civilian market though many of these pistols were actually purchased for private use by military personnel. (For clarification the early grip screw position is approximately 3/4 inch lower than the standard grip screw position.)
Wartime pistols are most often marked with an Eagle/655 inspection stamp on the left rear of the trigger guard extension. The factory acceptance proof is the Eagle over N on the right rear trigger guard. A small Army proof mark is found on the left rear grip tang. Civilian pistols have the factory proof but not the military acceptance proof mark.
Mauser Pistol Serial Number Lookup
During the war there were several cuts in time spent on production of material and the HSc is no exception. The finish suffered and at one time, the finish was a dull, almost green finish. This is a phosphate finish similar to Parkerizing or bunkerizing. Color schemes ranged from gray to nearly green. The collector will sometimes encounter a pistol with a mix of phosphate and blued parts. Despite the first impression that these handguns were mismatched they were delivered in this fashion. After the war, the French occupied the Mauser factory and continued production in the same serial number range. Many of these pistols were sent to French Indochina. This production run was brief.Reintroduction
The Mauser HSc was reintroduced in 1967 and imported by Interarms. A total production run of 63,118 pistols were produced. The pistols were reengineered to accept the .380 ACP cartridge to make it more popular in America, although many were also sold in the original .32 ACP chambering. The production figures follow;
18,868: .32 ACP
39,250: .380 ACP
Handling the Mauser HSc
The HSc pistol handles much the same as the J P Sauer or Walther double action pistols. The double action pistols in competition with the Mauser featured a hammer dropping safety, which the Mauser does not. The hammer must be manually lowered. The double action trigger is more abrupt than the Walther and is heavy in comparison. The estimated trigger pull weight in double action is sixteen pounds. The single action trigger is smooth at about six pounds. When you rack the slide to the rear on an empty magazine, the slide locks. However, even when you remove the magazine you cannot lower the slide. Reinserting the magazine, either an empty or a loaded magazine, lowers the slide. When a loaded magazine is inserted the chamber is loaded and the slide runs forward. The hammer must be manually lowered by capturing the hammer with the thumb and pressing the trigger, lowering the hammer in this manner. The safety may be placed on at this time.
To fire the pistol, place the safety in the off position. The HSc is fired by pressing the trigger. The long double action trigger press works against an internal drawbar that draws the hammer to the rear. When the hammer breaks the sear and falls, the pistol fires. The slide then recoils and cocks the hammer. All subsequent shots after the first are fired single action.
The author's personal example was test fired with Winchester USA ball ammunition. The pistol loaded smoothly. The HSc is a comfortable pistol to fire. The small sights are snag free but make accuracy problematical. At ten yards, several five shot three-inch groups were printed, which is adequate for the task we must presume. A single five shot group from a careful bench rest at 15 yards was fired with the aid of Hansen Eagle Eyes shooting glasses. The Winchester 95 grain FMJ bullets went into a cluster of four and one half inches. There were several stoppages during the firing test – at least one per magazine. The age of the pistol and the magazine spring seem to be the fault.
The HSc is an interesting pistol with a distinctive silhouette. Quality examples are available at affordable prices and the pistol has a certain pride of ownership that cannot be faulted. The Mauser HSc pistol is well worth your attention.
Mauser HSc
Action: Blowback
Caliber: 7.65mm and .380 ACP
Magazine capacity 7.65mm: 8
Magazine capacity .380 ACP: 7
Weight: 24.7 ounces
Barrel: 3.4 inches
Overall length: 6 inches
Total production, commercial and wartime: 334,000
Total wartime production: 252,000
Wartime production:
- 23% Commercial
- 54% Army
- 11% Navy
- 12% Police
This article first appeared in Small Arms Review SAW (March 2013) |
| SUBSCRIBER COMMENT AREA |
Comments have not been generated for this article.
MAUSER MANUFACTURED LUGERS 1930-1942 DWM
Mauser Oberndorf
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Has a stock lug, blank chamber area and marked extractor and safety. Early example of Mauser Luger. Front toggle link is still marked DWM. Leftover parts were intermixed with new Mauser parts in production of this pistol. One of the first Lugers to be finished with 'Salt' blue process. Approximately 500 manufactured with one- to four-digit serial numbers, with letter 'v' suffix. A rare variation.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934/06 Swiss Commercial Mauser
4.75' barrel, 7.65mm caliber. No stock lug, but has a grip safety. Swiss Cross in Sunburst stamped above chamber. Extractor and safety marked in German. Front toggle link marked with Mauser banner. Approximately 200 manufactured for commercial sale in Switzerland. Variation is very well finished. Serial numbers are all four-digits with a 'v' suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1935/06 Portuguese 'GNR'
4.75 barrel, 7.65mm caliber. No stock lug, but has a grip safety. Chamber marked 'GNR', representing Republic National Guard. Extractor marked 'Carregada'; safety 'Seguranca'. Mauser banner stamped on front toggle link. Exactly 564 manufactured according to original contract records that Portuguese government made public. All have four-digit serial numbers with a 'v' suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934 Mauser Commercial
4' barrel, 7.65mm or 9mm caliber. Has a stock lug and chamber area is blank. Extractor and safety are marked. Mauser banner stamped on front toggle link. Finish on this pistol was very good. Grips are checkered walnut or black plastic on later models. Few thousand manufactured for commercial sales in and outside of Germany.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
S/42 K Date
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Has a stock lug. Extractor and safety are marked. First Luger that utilized codes to represent maker and date of manufacture. Front toggle link marked S/42 in Gothic or script; this was code for Mauser. Chamber area stamped with letter 'K' code for 1934 year of manufacture. Approximately 10,500 manufactured, with one- to five-digit serial numbers—some with letter suffixes.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
S/42 G Date
Courtesy Orvel Reichert
As above, with chamber stamped 'G' code for year 1935. Gothic lettering was eliminated. Many thousands of this model produced.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
Dated Chamber S/42
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Chamber area dated 1936-1940. There is a stock lug. Extractor and safety marked. In 1937, rust blue process was eliminated entirely and all subsequent pistols were salt blued. Many thousands manufactured with one- to five-digit serial numbers—some with letter suffix. NOTE: Rarest variation is early 1937, with rust blued and strawed parts, add 20 percent.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
S/42 Commercial Contract
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Has a stock lug, chamber area is dated and marked extractor and safety. Unusual feature, although this was a commercial pistol, front toggle link is stamped S/42, which was military code for Mauser. Only a few hundred manufactured, so perhaps toggles were left over from previous military production runs. Serial number range is four-digits, with letter 'v'.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1914 Mauser Pistol Serial Numbers
Code 42 Dated Chamber
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. New German code for Mauser, number 42, stamped on front toggle link. There is a stock lug. Chamber area dated 1939 or 1940. At least 50,000 manufactured, with one- to five-digit serial numbers; some have letter suffixes.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
41/42 Code
As above, except date of manufacture is represented by final two digits (e.g. 41 for 1941). Approximately 20,000 manufactured, with one- to five-digit serial number range.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
byf Code
As above, with 'byf' code stamped on toggle link. Year of manufacture, either 41 or 42, stamped on chamber. Model also made with black plastic and walnut grips. Many thousands produced, with one- to five-digit serial numbers—some with a letter suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
Persian Contract 4
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Has a stock lug and Persian crest stamped over chamber. All identifying markings on this variation—including extractor, safety and toggle—are marked in Farsi, Persian alphabet. There were 1,000 manufactured. Serial numbers are also in Farsi.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
Persian Contract Artillery
As above, with 8' barrel and nine-position adjustable sight on barrel. Model supplied with flat board stock. There were 1,000 manufactured and sold to Persia.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934/06 Dated Commercial
4.75' barrel, 7.65mm caliber. Has a grip safety, but no stock lug. Year of manufacture, from 1937-1942, stamped above chamber. Mauser banner stamped on front link. Extractor marked, but safety is not. Approximately 1,000 manufactured, with one- to three-digit serial numbers—some with letter suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934 Mauser Dutch Contract
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Year of manufacture, 1936-1940, stamped above chamber. Extractor marked 'Geladen' and safety is marked 'RUST', with a downward pointing arrow. Mauser banner stamped on front toggle link. This was a military contract sale. Approximately 1,000 were manufactured, with four-digit serial numbers and letter 'v' suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934 Mauser Swedish Contract
4.75' barrel, 9mm or 7.65mm caliber. Chamber dated 1938 or 1939. Extractor and safety are both marked in German. There is a stock lug. Front toggle link stamped with Mauser banner. Only 275 dated 1938; 25 dated 1939 in 9mm; 30 dated 1939 in 7.65mm. Serial number range is four-digits with letter 'v' suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934 Mauser Swedish Commercial
4' barrel, 7.65mm caliber. 1940 stamped over chamber; 'Kal. 7.65' stamped on left side of barrel. Extractor and safety are both marked and Mauser banner stamped on front toggle link. There is a stock lug. Model is rare. Only a few hundred manufactured, with four-digit serial numbers with letter 'w' suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1934 Mauser German Contract
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Chamber dated 1939-1942. Front toggle link stamped with Mauser banner. There is a stock lug. Extractor and safety are both marked. Grips are walnut or black plastic. Several thousand manufactured, with one- to five-digit serial numbers—some with letter suffixes. Purchased for issue to police or paramilitary units.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
1910 Mauser Pistol Serial Numbers
Austrian Bundes Heer (Federal Army)
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Chamber is blank and there is a stock lug. Extractor and safety marked in German. Austrian Federal Army Proof stamped on left side of frame above trigger guard. Approximately 200 manufactured, with four-digit serial numbers and no letter suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
Mauser 2 Digit Date
4' barrel, 9mm caliber. Last two digits of year of manufacture—41 or 42—stamped over chamber. There is a stock lug and Mauser banner on front toggle link. Extractor and safety both marked. Proofmarks were commercial. Grips are walnut or black plastic. Approximately 2,000 manufactured for sale to Nazi political groups. They have one- to five-digit serial numbers; some have letter suffix.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
Ku Luger (Prefix or suffix)
1914 Mauser Pistol Serial Numbers Dates
Courtesy Gale Morgan
4' barrel, 9mm Luger. Probably manufactured by Mauser for German Luftwaffe in early 1940s. Serial number (on left side receiver area) has 'Ku' prefix or suffix. Total production estimated at 5000 pieces.
| NIB | Exc | V.G. | Good | Fair | Poor |
| $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 | $0000 |
